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HISTO RY
TFE CHURCH OF SCOTLANID
FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY
TO THE
PERIOD Or THE DISRUPTION IN 1843.
BY THE
REV W. M. HETHERINGTON, A.M.,
TORPHICHEN.
AUTHOR OF THE "MINISTER'S FAMILY;" "HISTORY OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMIBtlf
OF DIVINES," ETC.$ ETC., ETC.
NEC TAMEN CONSUMEBATUR.
NEW YORK:
ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS,
No. 285 BROADWAY.
1856.








CONTENTS.
Page
CHAPTER     I.-From the Introduction of Christianity into Scotland to the
Commencement of the Reformation,.                      7
CHAPTER    II.-From the Beginning of the ReformAtion to the Meeting of the
first General Assembly,..                      22
CHAPTER    III.-From the first General Assembly, in 1560, to the year 1592,
and the Great Charter of the Church,..   52
CHAPTER    IV.-From the Great Charter of the Church, in 1592, to the Ratification of the Five Articles of Perth, in the year 1621,.  95
CHAPTER    V.-From the Ratification of the Five Articles of Perth, in the year
1621, to the National Covenant, in 1638,...         127
CHAPTER    VI.-From the Subscribing of the Covenant, in 1638, to the Restoration of Charles II., in 1660,..                   156
CHAPTER   VII.-From the Restoration of Charles II. to the Revolution of 1688,  205
CHAPTER VIII.-From the Revolution, in 1688, to the Treaty of Union, in 1707,  294
CHAPTER   IX.-From the Union to the Rise of the Second Secession, in 1752,  322
CHAPTER    X.-From the Period of the Second Secession till the Assembly
of 1841,....                                    362
CHAPTER   XI.-From the Assembly of 1841 to the Disruption in 1843,..  421
APPENDIX,... X..                       475








PREFACE.
THE want of a History of the Church of Scotland, at once concise and entire, has
long been felt. Separate periods have been very fully treated of by several authors,
leaving for their successors nttle to do but to compress the voluminous records which
they had collected; and ample materials exist to fill up the intermediate chasms, and to
continue the narrative down to the present times. But as no attempt has hitherto been
made to compress the histories of these detached periods, to fill up the intermediate
chasms, and to continue the narrative, it is a matter of considerable difficulty for any
person who has not much leisure to spend, nor ready access to public libraries, to obtain a connected view of the Church of Scotland throughout its entire history. Several very serious disadvantages have resulted from the want of such a work; a great
degree of ignorance has been allowed to prevail respecting the true principles and
character of the Church of Scotland; her enemies have availed themselves of this ignorance to misrepresent her past conduct, to calumniate the characters of her Reformers and Martyrs, and to assail her present proceedings, while many of her zealous
friends are without the means of vindicating the past and defending the present; and
numbers are remaining in a state of neutrality, liable to be misled, who require but
accurate information to induce them at once to give their cordial support to the Church
of their fathers. Nor can there be a doubt, that many are at present not merely neutral but hostile, who would become her strenuous defenders, if they possessed sufficient
Knowledge of her past and present history.
Impelled by these considerations, and by the strong persuasion, that by giving to
the public a faithful record of the scriptural principles of the Church of Scotland, her
sufferings in defence of the Redeemer's Headship and of Gospel truth and purity, and
the mental, moral, and religious blessings which she has been instrumental in conferring on the kingdom, I should best aid in her vindication and defence, I have endeavoured to supply the long-felt want of a concise, continuous, and entire History of the
Church of Scotland. I have not the presumption to imagine that my work will adequately supply the want. For reasons which seemed to me imperative, I have restricted myself within the limits which prevent the possibility of giving more than a
tolerably full outline of a subject requiring several volumes to do it justice. Much peculiarly interesting and instructive matter,-both fitted to illustrate great principles, and
characteristic of the interior life and private influence of the Presbyterian Church,has been unavoidably, and very reluctantly, withheld, that the continuity of the main
outline might not be broken, nor the general im.pression weakened by minute details.
References to authorities have been given in every matter of chief importance, except where these are already well known and universally admitted. It would have
been easy to have adduced very many more; but while a superfluous array of references appears to me to savour of ostentation, and can be of little consequence to the
general reader, for whom chiefly this work is intended, it is believed, that those who
wish to prosecute their acquaintance with the subject, will find enough to authenticate
every statement, and to direct them to sources where more minute details may be obtained. I have preferred to quote the testimony of opponents rather than that of
friends, in many instances, as less liable to be disputed; and when several authorities
support the same account, I have given the one most generally known, rather than the
rarer, that the reader might the more easily verify my statement, if so disposed. The
edition of Knox's History of the Reformation to which reference is made, is that which
Dr. M'Crie regarded as the most authentic. No pains have been spared in the investigation of every point respecting which conflicting opinions have been entertained; and
in forming my own judgment I have been guided chiefly by the testimony of those
who were amply acquainted with the events which they related, and whose characters
give the highest value to their evidence.




vi                               PREFACE.
With regard to the sentiments contained in the work, I cannot but be aware, that
while stating my own feelings and opinions, what I have written will not be equally
agreeable to all. I have no wish to give unnecessary offence to any; but in my
opinion, no person ought to attempt to write history, who has not both an honest desire to ascertain the truth, and sufficient courage to state it freely and impartially when
ascertained. And it is perfectly impossible to write the History of the Church of
Scotland, without relating events which cannot fail to excite strong moral indignation
against the two systems by which that Church has, at different periods, been persecuted and oppressed. It has been my desire to abstain from unnecessary asperity of
language, even when detailing acts of perfidy and cruelty, rarely equalled in the annals
of persecution; not because I think that Scottish Prelacy has any peculiar claim to be
leniently treated, but because the plain and simple statement of the truth will best display the spirit and character of that intolerant system.
Painful, indeed, has been the task of tracing the course of worldly policy and ecclesiastical corruption and despotism, which prevailed throughout the last century and the
beginning of the present; and most reluctantly have I felt myself constrained to record
the deeds which were done in Scotland during the long reign of Moderatism. But it
was felt to be an imperative duty to do so, both as required by historical fidelity, and
as rendered peculiarly necessary by the present circumstances of the Church. It would
be a very instructive chapter in the history of the errors which the spirit of the world
has superinduced upon Christianity, to give a full view of the rise, progress, and complete developement of the system which has been called Moderatism. I have not,
however, sought to do so, further than appeared absolutely necessary for the purpose
of displaying so much of its real essence and character as might sufficiently prove,
that the true Presbyterian Church of Scotland is not justly chargeable with the actions
of a secular sys-tem, which had its origin in hostile elements, which gradually usurped,
and long exercised over her the most cruel and oppressive tyranny, and whose whole
procedure was one continuous endeavour to destroy her principles and subvert her constitution.
To those Gentlemen who have kindly favoured me with the perusal of valuable
books, to which I could not otherwise have easily obtained access, I take this opportunity of returning my grateful thanks. And I now lay my work before the public, in
the hope, that what was undertaken solely from a strong conviction of duty to the Divine Head of the Church, to the Church of Scotland, and to my countrymen in general. may, through the blessing of God, be of some avail in removing ignorance and
prejudice, correcting erroneous misrepresentations, and enabling the community to
form an accurate conception of the real principles and character of the Church of
Scotland.
In preparing this edition of the History of the Church of Scotland, it has been
thought expedient to continue the narrative of events till the Disruption which took
place in May last, and resulted in the formation of what is now termed THE FREE
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,-in which are still preserved entire the constitutional principles,
the unfettered freedom, the vital energy, the doctrinal purity, and the spiritual fervency,
that have, in its best periods, always distinguished the testimony-bearing Church of
our fathers.
W. M. H.
FREE MANSE, TORPH1CHEN,
October 1843.




HISTORY
OF THE
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
CHAPTER       I.             influenced by religion, and impelling
men frequently to act directly contrary
FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO to every thing which he would deem
SCOTLAND, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE politic and expedient.    Not only this
REFORMATION.                          class of motives, but the course of events
Introductory Remarks-Statement of General Princi- also, will often be found to lie equally
pies involved in all Church History-Divine Truth beyond his reach adequately to compreinfused into the Social System-Opposition from.      *         r
Man's Fallen Nature-Characteristic Principles of hend and explain.  He will often find
different Churches-Of the Church of Scotland-In-mean a rranemnts apparently the
troduction of Christianity into Scotland-The Cul-means an  aangemes apparently he
dees-Peculiarities of their System-Introduced into wisest and most sufficient, utterly fail of
England —Augustine the Monk —He and his followers
oppose the Culdees-They retire to Scotland-The accomplishing the proposed end; while
Prelatic System of Rome introduced-the Culdees others which seem ill advised and feeble,
at length overborne and suppressed-The leading
Tenets of the Culdees-Progress of Popery-Its will be crowned with the most remarkamencemalth and Power —Stateof Scotlnd at the Co- ble success.  Frequently, therefore, must
mencement of the Reformation.
he content himself with recording the
THERE are certain general principles course of events, of which the impelling
involved in all Church History, greatly causes and controlling agencies are to
more profound in their character and im- him  altogether unknown.   Man as he
portant in their consequences than those is, in short, impelled by the passions and
which appear in, or can be deduced from, allured by the interests of his known and
the records of Civil History.  The civil common nature,-circumscribed, as he
historian has to deal with man merely as at present appears, within the limits of
the mortal inhabitant of this world; and, space and time, of his earthly pursuits
however deeply his philosophical know- and mortal life,-forms the object of the
ledge of the human mind may enable civil historian's important yet incomplete
him to penetrate into those undeclared researches.
motives by which sovereigns and states-    But Church History has to deal with
men are often influenced, and the affairs the deeds and characters of men in that
of nations controlled, there is still one de- very department into which the civil hispartment, and that the mightiest of all, torian cannot enter.  It views man as a
into which it is not his province to enter. moral and spiritual being, fallen from his
He may unravel the twisted intrigues of original condition of parity and happimere worldly policy; he may detect and ness, the slave of guilty passions, degraconfute the sophistries of worldly wis- ded by low and grovelling pursuits, and
dom; but, except he be something more blinded by inveterate prejudices, yet cathan a philosophical historian, he will pable of recovery from his depraved and
remain utterly unable to understand the miserable condition, and at present under
meaning and the power of conscience, a dispensation divinely fitted to restore




8               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
him to more than the purity and eleva- ciples. The inevitable consequence is,
tion from which he fell. He is seen, that its genuine effects are very greatly
therefore, as constantly impelled by the impaired by the disturbing influence of
one or the other of two contending influ- human depravity and prejudice. Some
ences, directly hostile to each other;-  of the most important religious principles
the one, the influence of his fallen and are frequently obscured, because they
corrupt nature, striving to perpetuate all its have been either imperfectly understood,
own evil tendencies, and to impede and or are so opposed to the natural predilecpervert all the efforts of its opponent; the tions of fallen man as to be disliked, and
other, the influence of revealed religion, therefore perverted. They do indeed reof Christianity, striving to expel corrup- appear from time to time, as peculiar
tion, remove prejudices, and heal the junctures, under the guiding of Divine
moral maladies of the soul, by the infu- Providence, call them forth; until their
sion of the new and sacred principles of true character and value being thus forced
eternal truth. Church History has, there- upon the perception of the general mind,
fore, for its peculiar province, the infu- they are at length received, and opporsion into the soul of fallen man of the tunity thereby given for the similar prosacred principles of divine revealed truth, cess of developement to others, which
-their influence in the social system, as had been equally neglected or opposed.
they strive to pervade and mould it anew, This is the case, whether such principles
-the opposition which they meet with have direct reference to the government,
from the inherent depravity of the heart, the doctrine, or the discipline of the
-the struggles of these contending in- Christian Church, as might easily be
fluences of good and evil, of the world shown from  the general records of
and religion,-the convulsions occasion- Church History.
ally thereby produced,-and the changes  There is also a necessary continuity
which take place in the aspect and struc- of character, as of being, in the life and
ture of society, as the one or the other history of any Church; and that characfrom time to time obtains ascendency, ter can never be rightly understood, howputs forth its power, and exhibits its na- ever familiar we may be with the details
tive character. It is thus evident that the of its general history, unless we have a
history of the Church of any land is the clear and true conception of those leadhistory of the moral and spiritual life of ing principles which have always formed
that land; and that it claims, as its own the master element of its essential existpeculiar domain, that very region of ence. By keeping them steadily, in view,
moral and spiritual principles and mo- we shall be able to trace distinctly all the
tives into which the secular historian, as various changes and alternations of its
such, cannot even enter, and yet without course, marking and understanding not
some knowledge of which, much of what merely those external events which are
is most important in the history of every manifest to the world, but those unseen
nation can never be understood and ex- influences which move, and mould, and
plained.                             animate the whole. Even in periods of
In tracing the Church History of any comparative stagnation, when there seems
country, we must expect to meet with to be a cessation of all active and vital
much that we must both deplore and impulses, the knowledge of what forms
condemn. For although the principles the essential characteristics of a national
which Christianity introduces into the Church may enable us to detect the
soul of man, and thereby into the social otherwise imperceptible progress of a
system, are in themselves absolutely per- deep and calm under-current, preparing
feet, yet they are rarely perfectly re- for some new and mighty developement
ceived, and never have been perfectly of silently-ripened energies, by which
developed. Divine truth does not, in- the whole structure of society may be
deed, contract any portion of human error convulsed, and constrained to assume a
by entering into the mind of man; but new aspect, more in conformity with the
the depraved and prejudiced human mind character of its inward moral and reliobtains in general only a partial recep- gious life.
tion and distorted view of its great prin-  Every person who has paid much at



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    9
tention to Church History must be aware proved, and often has been proved, that
that, of the great leading principles of the Episcopalian, or rather let us term it
Christianity, some have been held in pe- now, and throughout this work, the Preculiar reverence, and defended with pe- latic form of church government, is one
culiar determination, by one national of merely human invention; whilst the
Church, and some by another; and from  Presbyterian is of divine origin and authis has arisen in each that distinctive thority, and consequently is that which
characteristic by which the various por- would of necessity be adopted and retions of the Church general maintain tained by any Church which held as its
their individuality, notwithstanding their leading principle the sole headship and
common resemblance. It would require kingly dominion of the Lord Jesus
too wide a survey, and perhaps involve a Christ. But it is enough at present
discussion too vague, to point out the dis- merely to have stated these general printinctive characteristics of the chief na-ciples, and suggested their application.
tional Churches throughout the Christian If the candid reader will bear them in
world; but there can be little difficulty mind during his perusal of the following
in making specific mention of that great pages, he will soon be able to decide for
Christian principle which the Church of himself respecting their truth and their
Scotland has always striven to realize importance.
and defend,-namely, THAT THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY HEAD AND      The first introduction of Christianity
KING OF THE CHURCcH; whence it fol- into Scotland cannot, it appears, be now
lows, by necessary consequence, THAT exactly ascertained. It would be in vain
ITS GOVERNMENT IS DERIVED FROM HI to refer to the legendary records of anALONE, AND IS DISTINCT FROM, AND NOT cient Scottish kings, given by some of
SUBORDINATE IN ITS OWN PROVINCE TO, THE our historians, as furnishing authoritative
CIVIL MAGISTRATE.  The very remote- information respecting the events of a peness of Scotland from Rome, the seat first riod so far beyond the boundaries of our
of imperial, and subsequently of ecclesi- nation's authentic annals. Perhaps the
astical power, tended to allow for a time earliest indication that the light of Chrisa more free developement of that great tianity had begun to dawn upon the reprinciple, and of its legitimate conse- mote regions of Caledonia, that can at
quences, than would have been possible all be depended upon, may be found in
had it been more accessible to the influ- the words of Tertullian, who asserts, that
ence of Roman supremacy. It might, "those parts of Britain which were inacperhaps, be thought by some, that the cessible to the Romans had become subPresbyterian form of church government, ject to Christ."  And although we are
rather than the great principle of the sole not to attach to the fervid language of a
Sovereignty of Christ, has been, and is, rhetorician the same degree of credit
the characteristic tenet of the Church of which we yield to the direct statements
Scotland.  But it requires only a little of a historian, yet, remembering the exdeeper  investigation,  or  profounder treme rapidity with which Christianity
thought, to enable any impartial and un- was propagated throughout the Roman
prejudiced person to see, that the great empire in the apostolic age, it is by no
principle of Christ's sole Sovereignty means improbable that it should have
must prohibit the Church which holds it reached Britain, and even penetrated to
from the adoption of any merely human the mountains of Caledonia, before the
inventions or arrangements in that form  close of the second century. The vioof government which He has given to lence of the persecutions which raged in
the Church, his free spiritual kingdom, every part of Rome's dominion's during
of which the Holy Scriptures contain the the third century, may readily be suponly authoritative enactment and declara- posed to have driven many of the Christion.                               tians beyond the boundaries of the emIt is not our purpose to enter here into pire, and thus to have aided indirectly in
the controversy respecting  forms of the diffusion of the gospel, and especially
church government, farther than merely to have promoted its introduction into the
to state our full conviction. that it can be territories of unsubdued nations. Many




10              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
of those persecuted Christians may then ting to his own immediate neighbours as
have found a refuge among the uncon- much instruction as he could impart,
quered districts of Scotland and Ireland, or they could be persuaded to receive.
where they would, of course, endeavour If any dependence may be placed upon
to instruct the rude but not inhospitable the fabulous records of those ages, there
natives in the knowledge of the truth as were too many convulsions and semi-revit is in Jesus.                       olutions in both Scotland and Ireland,
In what manner these early Christian caused by the contensions of rival races
refugees commenced what may be termed and petty monarchies, to have permitted
their missionary labours among the Scots the construction of any regular form of
and Picts,-and whether, as some authors church government; so that for a conassert, the greater number of them re- siderable period, while Christianity was
sorted to Ireland, and there assembling gradually pervading both countries, it
themselves too-ether, resumed the form of was doing  so  almost imperceptibly,
primitive ecclesiastical government to through the exertions of individuals,
which they had been accustomed,-are without system and without combination,
questions into which it would be fruitless farther than that invisible but strong harto inquire, it being now almost impossi- mony which is caused by identity ofprinble to arrive at any certainty on these ciple and aim. In this manner Chrispoints.  The records of those remote tianity might have been, and indeed
times are so obscure and contradictory, appears to have been propagated extenthat they rather furnish material for con- sively throughout the British Isles, before
jecture, than data from which any satis- it began to assume the external aspect of
factory inferences may be drawn. There a Church, with a regular system  and
are, however, a few points on which all form of government. But when persecuancient records seem to agree. These, tion ceased, in consequence of the fall of
therefore, we may assume as generally Paganism before the progress of Chrisadmitted facts, although  party-writers tianity, and Rome began to be regarded
have endeavoured to deduce from them  as the central seat of ecclesiastical govthe most opposite conclusions; and while ernment, the Bishop of Rome very early
we do not venture to claim for ourselves assumed a sort of supremacy over the
absolute impartiality and freedom  from  whole Christian Church, and took it
all biassing predilections, we shall do upon him to interfere with the arrangeour utmost to guard against the influence ments of the whole Christian world. To
of prejudices,-to state nothing but what this, in all probability, we owe the visit
we believe, after very careful investiga- of Palladius, about the object and consetion, to be the truth,-and to frame no quences of which so much fruitless coninferences but what seem to us to be nat- troversy has arisen.
ural, direct, and inevitable.           According to the Archbishop Ussher,
There is reason to believe as has been Palladius was sent from Rome to "the
already stated, that the knowledge of Scots believing on Christ," in the year
Christianity was to some extent commu- 431, by Celestine, at that time Bishop of
nicated to the people of Scotland and Ire- Rome, as their "first bishop," (primus
land as early as towards the close of the episcopus).*  Some writers assert, that
second, and more especially during the by the word "Scots" we are to underthird, century of the Christian era, in the stand the Irish to be meant; and are furtimes of those fierce persecutions which, ther to learn, that Palladius was sent to
while they were meant to exterminate, be Primate of Ireland! It is not neceswere actually overruled to promote the sary to waste space in the discussion of
progress of the Christian religion. There assertions which contain their own refuis no reason, however, to think that those tation in their absurdity.  Whatever else
persecuted and banished Christians at- may have been among the secret objects
tempted at that early period to construct of the Roman Bishop Celestine in the
any distinct frame of ecclesiastical govern- mission of Palladius, it appears suffiment.   They seem rather to have dwelt ciently evident from the above-quoted exin comparatively isolated solitude, each                 See alo Jaesos 
in his own retreat, and eassher Primord. p. 801. See also Jamsons 78.
l hins own retreat, and each communica- tory of the Culdees, pp. 7, 8.




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      11
pression, that the chief one was to intro- prelate,-" we read in Nennius, that at
duce Episcopal government among the the beginning St. Patrick founded 365
Scottish and Irish Christians; whence it churches, and ordained 365 bishops,
clearly follows, that previously no such besides 3000 presbyters" (or elders).*
form of ecclesiastical government was What kind of bishops these were, is suffiknown, if indeed there did exist pre- ciently apparent from the fact that there
viously either organization or govern- was one for each church, and also from
ment at all, beyond the mental harmony the number of the elders,-about eight to
which subsisted among those who held each bishop. It was, in short, manifestly
one faith, were animated by one Spirit, the same institution which ultimately betrusted in one Saviour, and worshipped came the Presbyterian Church of Scotone God.                              land,'-a parish minister, with his session
Whether the mission of Palladius were of elders, in each church and parish that
chiefly to Ireland or not, it may not now  had received the gospel. But it is time
be possible to determine with certainty; to quit the regions of dark and half-fabubut there is reason to believe that he not lous antiquity, and to direct our attention
only visited Scotland, but that he died to what, though still obscure, has been
there, at Fordoun, in the Mearns.* The brought into somewhat of a more definite
very common opinion that Palladius was form, by those writers who have present expressly to refute the errors of Pe- served to us an outline of the aspect of
lagius, which are said to have become primitive Christianity in Scotland, in the
prevalent among the British Christians, remarks they have made on the Culdees.
we are disposed to regard as without    It is not our intention to investigate at
sufficient foundation.  The Pelagian any length the questions which have
heresy was scarcely known till the year been so long agitated respecting the
412, and that chiefly among the African origin, the doctrines, and the form of
Churches; and it is not at all likely that church government of the Culdees, but
it had even reached, much less made ex- rather to state briefly and consecutively
tensive progress among, the simple- all that is clearly known concerning
minded Christians of Scotland and Ire- them.
land, before the year in which the mis-  The name Culdees appears to have
sion of Palladius is recorded to have taken been given to those Christians who fled
place.                                from persecution, and sought refuge in
Nothing certain is known respecting those districts of Scotland which were bethe direct effects produced bythe mission yond the limits of the Roman empire.
of Palladius.  It is indeed stated by Different explanations have been sugMarianus Scotus, that after him St. Pat- gested of the name itself; some deriving
rick was consecrated by Celestine, and it from Latin, and assuming it to have
sent as archbishop to Ireland, where, in been an abbreviation of Cultores Dei,
the course of forty years, he converted worshippers of God; others from  the
the whole island to the faith;t but this Gaelic expression, Gille De, servants of
account cannot be relied on, in conse- God; and others from the Gaelic Cuil
quence of its opposition to other and more or Ceal, a sheltered place, a retreat.  Te
authentic records.  There is no proof would combine the two latter opinions,
whatever that St. Patrick had any con- and suppose that the Culdees derived
nection with Rome; while there is strong their name from the union of these two
reason to believe that he was a native of facts in their early history, namely, that
Scotland, and that the Christianity which they were refugees, and dwelt generally
he communicated to Ireland was, both in in comparatively secret retreats and' hidforms and doctrines, what he had him- ing-places; and that they were known toself been taught by his Scottish instruct- be in a peculiar manner servants of God.
ors. What the form of church govern- Their early possession of the island of'
ment was which St. Patrick instituted in Iona, and concentration there as their
Ireland, appears very plainly, even from  chief seat, we would regard also as the
the statement of Archbishop   Ussher. result of a combination of circumstances:
4 We read," says that learned and candid'Discourse on the Religion of the lrish and Britisl
~ Jamieson's Hist. Culd., p. 9.  t Ibid., p. 8.  p. 77.




12              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
The same necessity which drove them to This peculiarity was well known to the
Scotland would impel them to seek some venerable Bede, who terms it " an untolerably secure place of safety, to which usual constitution " (ordo insusitatus),
they could at all times retreat from dan- as indeed it must have appeared to one
ger.  The marked and important inter- who had been himself accustomed to the
course between the Dalriad Scots and the constitution of a diocesan and prelatic
Irish, which subsisted at that period, Episcopacy.
would point out some interjacent island  It deserves to be remarked, that the
as affording easy access to either country number of the council or college of
and people.   For these reasons Iona presbyter-monks of Iona was fixed at
would readily recommend itself to them, twelve; and that, when  the Culdees
as at once a safe retreat, even from its formed new settlements, they adhered to
insignificance in point of size, and at the the same number.  This was, in all prosame time allowing free and convenient bability, caused by their veneration for
intercourse with Picts, Scots, and Irish. the primitive apostolic council of twelve;
It thus became their chief residence; and indicates, either that the Culdees
and in it first appeared that form of eccle- must have reached Scotland in a very
siastical government, the rudimentalprin- early age, while apostolic forms were
ciples of which they had either brought still uncorrupted and prelacy unknown;
with them. or into which Christianity or that they followed the sacred Scripitself naturally tended to mould a society tures as closely as possible, regarding
of single-hearted believers.         them as the only and the sufficient stanThe first definite accounts which have dard of both faith and ecclesiastical
reached us respecting the Culdees are government. We find them also appealthose which relate to Columba, who is ing to the authority of the Apostle John,
said to have been a native of Ireland, and in their controversy with the Romanized
of royal extraction.  He is reported to English clergy respecting Easter, which
have founded the monastery, or rather indicates both the earliness of their origin
abbey, of Iona, in the year 563, and to and the quarter whence they derived
have been himself the first abbot.  He their tenets and their institutions. An
took with him, we are told, from Ireland additional proof of their early origin and
to Iona, twelve companions, over whom  unperverted belief and practice appears
he possessed no other kind of superiority in the fact, that though generally termed
than that of being president for life. monks by ecclesiastical writers of that
Neither the office nor the designation of age, to whom  the term  had become
bishop, in its prelatical sense, appears to familiar, they did not hold the tenet of
have been known among them.     The monastic celibacy, but were married men,
institution of Iona formed, in truth, a re- and were even frequently succeeded in
gular presbytery, as it has long existed their official station and duties by their
in Scotland, with this slight difference, own sons. From this we can scarcely
that the presidency, or what we term the avoid drawing the conclusion, that those
moderatorship, was permanently enjoyed who held a form of Christianity so priby the abbot, whom even Bede terms the mitive, so simple, and so pure, must have
" Presbyter-Abbott."  Upon the death of branched off from  the central regions
this permanent president, or presbyter- and stem of the Christian Church at a
abbot, the remaining presbyter-monks very early period indeed,-almost before
met and chose a successor from among any corruption had begun to disfigure
themselves, to whom was accordingly the institutions, and pollute the doctrines
given the permanent presidency, but and customs, of the apostles. For these
without any such rite as that of consecra- and other reasons the second century
tion, or any thing0 which could indicate seems not too early a date to assign to
elevation to an office essentially superior the origin of Christianity in Scotland.
in itself. He was, in fact, nothing more  Little is known respecting the prothan " the first among equals," placed so gress made by the Culdees in propagatby the choice of his brethren, for the pur- ing Christianity among the Scots and
pose of maintaing order in their meetings Picts, impeded as their efforts must have
together for deliberation and consultation. been by the almost incessant hostilities in




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     13
which these tribes were engaged, That prosecuted  their  missionary  labours
they did make some progress, however, among the Saxons with great activity.
is certain, from the various semi-monas- At first their success was but indifferent.
tic settlements which they formed in the Corman, their first missionary, was a
districts inhabited by'each people, as at man of austere manners, and failed to
Dunkeld, Abernethy, Arbroath, Brechin, render himself and his ministry acceptMonimusk, &c. It deserves to be noted able to the rude and warlike Saxons.
also, that in each of these settlements the They next sent Aidan, one of the presCuldees retained the institutions of Iona byter-monks of Iona, having first ordainalready specified, namely, a council of ed him as a preaching presbyter.  He
twelve presbyter-monks, with a life-pre- formed a settlement at Lindisfarne,
sident or presbyter-abbot, chosen from  constructing it upon the model of that of
among their own number by themselves, Iona; and it became a new salient point
and continuing of the same order, than from which Christianity might make its
which they acknowledged no higher.    aggressive movements into  England.
Although the intestine feuds of the Such, nevertheless, was the veneration
Scots and Picts must have greatly retard- entertained for Iona, and such also, in all
ed the progress of Christianity among probability, its superiority in the means
them, yet their neighbours of the south- of instructing aspirants for the Christian
ern part of the island were in a much ministry, that several of the immediate
worse condition. It is well known that, successors of Aidan, in the presbyter-abon the final departure of the Romans botship of Lindisfarne, were sent thither
from Britain, the enfeebled Britons ap- from the primitive seat of the Culdees.
plied to the Saxons for aid against the in-  But while the simple primitive Chrisvasions of the Scots and Picts; and were tianity of the Culdees was making rapid
themselves, after a protracted and bloody progress among the Pagan Saxons, a
struggle, completely subdued by their more formidable opposition was preparino
faithless auxiliaries.  The effect of these to meet it. The attention of Pope Gregdevastingr wars was the complete ascen- ory the Great was accidentally directed
dency of the Saxons in England, and the to Britain; and he sent Augustine the
entire extinction of Christianity in the Monk, with forty missionary attendants,
territories upon which they had seized; to attempt the conversion of the Saxons.
the remainder of the British race, with The imposing pomp, and keen subtilty
what of Christianity survived among and artifice, of the Italian monk and his
them, being driven into the mountain associates, speedily acquired an ascenfastnesses of Wales, where, accordingly, dency which the simple Culdee presbythe relics of the primitive Culdee system  ters could not gainstand. The controcontinued for a considerable time to versy respecting the proper time for obexist.*                               serving Easter, and other points of form
At length there came a period of com- and ceremony in which the Culdees difparative tranquillity; and the Christianity fered from the Roman Church, was forwhich had been preserved in the north- mally begun by Augustine, in a synod
ern regions began to find its way south- held by him in the year 603.  This was
ward. Bede informs us, that Oswald, the commencement of the corruption and
king of the Northumbrian Saxons, had tyranny of the Romish Church in Britbeen himself educated at Iona; and im- ain.  The Romish party continued to
mediately upon his obtaining the sove- advance, employing all the craft and desreignty, he sent to the Scottish elders potism with which they were so familiar,
(majores naiu), requesting them to send and bearing down their opponents; and
him what would now be termed an or- in a synod held at Whitby in the year
dained minister (antistes), by whose doc- 662, for the purpose of deciding the contrine and ministry his subjects might be troversy, Colman, at that time presbyterinstructed in the Christian faith.t  From  abbot (termed also, in conformity with
this period and downwards, the Culdees the names then become prevalent, bishop)' Keith, Preface, pp. viii. and xv.; Jamieson's Hist. of Lindisfarne, was overborne by the arCuld., pp. 35 and 259.                rogant manner and confident assertions
t Bede, Hist., ib. iii. c. 17; Jamieson's Hist. Culd.,which his opponent  ilfrid had learned
pp. 36, 37.                           which his opponent Wilfrid had learned




14              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
at Rome; but rather than abandon the minds filled with prejudices in behalf of
tenets which he had been taught by his the pomp and splendour of the English
elders, as he termed them, he relinquish- Prelacy, made it their most strenuous ened his position at Lindisfarne, and re- deavour to erect buildings, and organize
turned to Iona.                      and endow a hierarchy, which might vie
From this time forward the Romish in- in dignity and grandeur with those of
fluence made rapid aggressive progress. their more wealthy neighbours.  The
The adaptation of the Romish system to ruinous effects were soon apparent. In
the natural pride and ambition of man, vain did the best of the Scottish clergy
lent it a mighty impulse: and the Culdees oppose these innovations; their more amwere either allured to exchange their bitious brethren were but too ready to
presbyter-abbot for a prelatic and dioce- grasp at the proffered wealth and honour;
san bishop, or compelled to abandon their and at length, to save themselves from
settlements and return to Scotland. In- the usurpations of the archbishop of Candeed the name bishop was often applied terbury, who strove to assert supremacy
to the presbyter-abbot of the Culdees by over the Scottish Church, they yielded
the writers of that period; and so far as up their spiritual liberty to the Roman
it was applied in its primitive sense, it pontiff, in the year 1176.
was his due, there being no distinction  It can scarcely fail to strike every
between an ordained presbyter and a thoughtful reader, that the history of the
scriptural bishop. Still, their difference Culdees presents, in its main outline, a
from the Romish diocesan bishop, or pre- very close resemblance to the general aslate, was marked even by those writers, pect and characteristic incidents subsein the peculiar appellation, "bishops of quently exhibited in the history of the
the Scots," by which they were desig- Church of Scotland, at and since the
nated.                               time of the Reformation. W hen left to
It is not our intention to trace minutely itself, and free from external influence,
the encroachments of the prelatic Romish the Scottish Church has always been reparty, as they not only expelled the Cul- markable for its simplicity of forms and
dees from England, but also, following purity of doctrine, taking the word of
up the ever-intolerant policy of Rome, as- God as its sole rule and guide in both;
sailed them in Scotland itself, and ceased the wealthier and more worldly Church
not their hostile efforts till they procured of England has always hated and
their final suppression. It deserves, how- sought to overthrow a Church which
ever, to be peculiarly observed, that what contrasted so strongly with its own exchiefly excited the hostility of the Romish ternal pomp and internal corruption and
party was the want of Prelacy among inefficacy: and the monarchs and nobilthe Culdees, even more than their differ- ity of Scotland, being Anglicised, have
ing in other points from the superstitious striven to introduce forms of worship,
rites and ceremonies of Popery; and that and a system of despotic ecclesiastical
the introduction of Prelacy was the di- government and corrupt doctrine, equally
rect means by which the pure scriptural opposed to the simplicity and purity of
system of worship and government held the Scriptures, and to the grave, manly,
by the early Scottish Church was at last and free spirit of the Scottish people.
overthrown. Nor let it pass unmarked,  It is at all times a melancholy task to
that England's influence and example trace the progress of a persecuted, opwere the direct causes of the corruption pressed, and falling cause, whether that
and subversion of Scotland's more an- cause be of religious or of civil liberty,
cient and purer faith. This might be which, indeed, suffer together and alike.
rendered evident, beyond the possibility We shall, therefore, very briefly state the
of contradiction, did our limits permit us most marked incidents in the suppression
to trace minutely the successive events and extinction of the Culdees.  After
which led to this disastrous result; such the Synod of Whitby, in the year 662,
as the residence for a time in England the Culdees generally either retired from
of some of our most powerful kings, es- England, or submitted to the institutions
pecially Malcolm Canmore, and David I., and doctrines of Rome, which from that
who, returning to Scotland with their time forward held supreme ascendency




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     15
among the English. Soon after that pe- ral institutions; but Iona continued to be
riod arose the furious contests between inhabited by Culdees till the year 1203,
the Scots and Picts, which ended in the when " Ceallach built a monastery, in
complete overthrow  of the latter, and opposition to the learned of the place."*
their entire national extinction, the con- Thus the Romish usurping power seized
quered and the conquerors becoming so upon the very citadel; and this seems
thoroughly blended together, that the effectually to have driven the remains of
Picts ceased to be known as a separate the persecuted Culdees from Iona, which
people.                               they never again recovered.  The only
It appears that during these wars the further accounts of them which can be
Culdees suffered severely.  The annals gleaned from the incidental notices, reof Ulster state that, in the year 716, "the present them as scattered throughout the
family of Iona was expelled beyond districts of the western counties of ScotDrum-Albin, by Nectan, king of the land, especially in Kyle and CunningPicts."  This seems to have been con- ham; where, though their name soon
nected with an attempt by Nectan to intro- became extinct, their tenets were preduce the form of the Anglican Church served in a great measure pure from painto his dominions, as we find that a pal corruption, till about the time that the
Saxon priest, Ecgberht, was at the same Lollards, the followers of Jerome and
time placed in Iona; while the Pictish Huss, and of Wickliffe, appeared like
king applied to Ceolfrid, abbot of Gir- the faint day-break of the Reformation.
vey, for architects to erect a church after  Although we have traced chiefly the
the Roman manner. It was probably his fortunes of the original settlement of the
intention to transfer the chief seat of ec- Culdees at Iona, it must not be forgotten
clesiastical government from  Iona to that there were many other similar settleAbernethy, his own capital, whereby he ments of them in Scotland; and that in
might expect that his personal influence latter times some of these were even
would enable him to accomplish his in- more prominently the scenes of contest
tended religious innovations.         with the encroaching   Anglo-Roman
The premature death of Nectan put Church than was Iona, and maintained
an end to these attempts; and Iona re- the conflict for a longer period. In the
covered its shaken supremacy, and en- year 1176, the abbot of Dunkeld perjoyed about sixty years of comparative mitted himself to be made a diocesan
tranquillity. But a more terrible enemy bishop.  It was not till thie year 1230, or
appeared.  The Danes and Norwegians about that time, that the Culdees of Mobegan their piratical invasions of the nimusk were deprived of their peculiar
Western Isles; and in 801, Iona itself privileges; and in the year 1297, the
was burned, and a great number of the Culdees of St. Andrews made the last atCuldees slain, by these fierce invaders. tempt at resisting the usurpations of the
About the year 877, the Culdees of Iona bishop of that see, by an effectual appeal
fled from  another Danish invasion to to Rome.  This, therefore, may be taken
Ireland, carrying with them the relics of as the date of the final suppression, by
Columba. Still a considerable number prelatic and papal fraud and tyranny,
of the Culdees continued to cleave to the of the primitive, scriptural and presbylong-hallowed abode of their ancestors, terian Church of Scotland.
though now sadly shorn of its ancient   Before concluding this brief sketch of
splendour. But their perils and suffer- the Culdees, it may be expedient to state
ings continued; and in 905, the Danes the main points of doctrine and ritual, as
again pillaged the monastery, and killed of ecclesiastical government, in which
the abbot, with fifteen of his presbyters. they differed from the corrupt Church of
In 1059, the monastery was destroyed Rome. For although Bede and other
by fire; but still the devoted Culdees writers make most mention of the dislingered among the scathed ruins of putes and controversies respecting the
their venerated Iona. A large body of celebration of Easter, and the peculiar
them, indeed, appear to have sought form of the clerical tonsure, and such
refuge in Dunkeld, where they endeav- like idle fooleries, from  which some
oured to perpetuate their simple scriptu-     Jamieson's Hist. Culd., p. 301.




16               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
have hastily concluded that there was, "neither Job, nor Daniel, nor Noah, can
after all, nothing but the most trifling intercede for any one, but every one
and unessential distinctions between the must bear his own burden;"-so scripCuldees and their Anglo-Roman oppo- tural were their views on these points.
nents; yet a closer examination may      They strenuously denied the popish
enable us to discover, what a little more doctrine of works of supererogation; utreflection would have led us to conjecture, terly disclaiming all merit of their own,
that they differed in some points of vital and hoping for salvation solely from the
importance, although the popish and pre- mercy of God, through faith in Jesus
latic party, with their usual cunning, con- Christ; stating as their view of that estrived to make the public aspect of the sential point of Christian doctrine, " That
controversy one of mere rites and cere- the faithful man does not live by rightmonies. It may, indeed, be here stated, eousness, but the righteous man by
as an axiomatic principle, which we shall faith."
have frequent occasion of applying and  It has been already shown that the ecverifying, that the opposers of pure re-clesiastical constitution and government
ligion never venture to assail what is of the Culdees was diametrically opmanifestly sacred, if they can obtain the posed to prelatic Episcopacy; and it
slightest hold of what is merely ritual or ought to be stated, both as a consequence
civil. From incidental notices, however, and as an additional proof, that they were
it may be gathered that the Culdees were unacquainted with the episcopalian rite
opposed to the Church of Rome in such of confirmation.
essential doctrines as the following:-  And, as an additional proof of their
They rejected that dark and tyranni- freedom  from  superstitious usages of
cal tenet of Popery, auricular confession, merely human invention, they, in the saand. also. its natural sequents, penance, crament of baptism, made use of any
and authoritative absolution; confessing water that was conveniently at hand, as
thehr sins to God alone, as believing that did the apostles, rejecting the "conseHe alone could forgive sins.          crated chrism" introduced by the RomanThey opposed the idolatrous doctrine ists, and still retained wherever popish
of the real presence, or transubstantia- and prelatic institutions prevail.*
tion; holding the sacrament of the      When to the preceding doctrinal tenets
Lord's Supper to be indeed a healing or- of the Culdees we add their freedom from
dinance and an appointed means of grace the pernicious system of an unmarried
to all faithful receivers, but at the same priesthood, their repugnance to the lordly
time in its own nature essentially com- rule of a disocesan Prelacy, and the
memorative.                           scriptural simplicity of their presbyterial
They rejected and opposed the idola- form of church government, we cannot
trous worship of angels, and saints, and fail to be struck with the close resem-?'elics,,and.all these peculiar superstitious blance which they bear to the authoritapractices by means of which the Roman tive doctrines and institutions of the
Church so grossly imposed upon credu- Word of God; to the opinions and delous ignorance, and promoted its own sires of the great men of the Reformawealth and influence; and so sensible tion,-of Luther and Melancthon. Calvin
do they appear to have been in their ap- and Beza, Cranmer and Ridley, Knox
prehension of the. danger lest idolatry and Melville; and to the constitutional
should creep into their pure system, that confession and government of the Presthey would   not permit any of their byterian Church of Scotland. And we
churches to be dedicated to, or designated have been at some pains lo extricate, as
by the name of, any saint or angel.   far as may now be done, the tenets of our
They neither admitted   praying to old ancestral faith from the confused and
saints for their intercession, nor prayers faded records of bygone ages, because
for the dead.  For they were persuaded, we regarded that as the best method of
that while we are in the present world, ascertaining what were the actual lifewe may help each other either by our germs and essential principles of that
prayers or by our counsels; but when     For authorities in proof of the preceding state-e c e be *  *  3r  C, "t ment of the differences between the Culdees and the
we come before the tribunal of Christ, Romish Churches, see Jamieson's Hist. Culd. chap. x




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      17
primitive, apostolic, and scriptural form  ing in Scotland, by the erection of an.rof Christianity which was so early en- mense number of monasteries and abjoyed by our fathers; and because we beys, and the vast wealth which these
are persuaded that, however much ex-scenes of corruption speedily acquired.
ternally overborne by the corrupt prelatic Stl', however, the Church of Scotland
Church of Rome, its influence never per- maintained its independence, refusing to
ished, but, after having for a season lain submit to the dictation of that of England
concealed, yet not unfelt, within the Even after that unfortunate defeat which
strong and independent heart of Scot- threw William the Lion into the power
land, while the fierce storms of English of the English monarch, and after he
invasion and civil broils were sweeping had consented to surrender the indepenover and devastating the land, it sprang dence of the kingdom, that c e might reagain into energetic action, when the gain his personal liberty, the Scottish
voice of reformation went forth, awaken- clergy refused to submit to equal degraing Europe, and became the moving and dation.  The archbishop of York was
moulding life-power of our reformed, or now the claimant for this supremacy;
rather resuscitated, national Church.  and in the year 1176, an assembly of the
We have given the outline of all that English and Scottish clergy was held at
is with any degree of certainty known Northampton, on a citation for that purrespecting the Culdees, in one continued pose by the Pope's legate. It would apnarrative, for the purpose of presenting pear that Prelacy had already begun to
it to the reader in the most intelligible do its work, in producing a mean spirit
form, unbroken by reference to contem- of subserviency; for not one of the Scotporaneous events.  But some of these tish prelates ventured to oppose the arrodemand a portion of our attention, before gant claim of the archbishop of York,
proceeding with the main course of our But a young canon, named Gilbert Murnarrative. The chief of these we shall ray, rose and addressed the assembled
now proceed to state with all practical dignitaries, in a tone of bold and manly
brevity.                              independence worthy of his country and
It has been already stated, that the his cause, repelling the arrogant pretenChristianizing labours of the Culdees sions of the arch-prelate, and asserting
were met and borne back from England the freedom of the Church of Scotland.*
by the efforts of the Romish Church, The result was an appeal to Rome, and
which even then was greatly corrupted; the declaration, by a papal bull, of the
and also, that the system established in independence of Scotland, in all matters
England speedily began to be imitated ecclesiastical, of any other power than
by our own somewhat Anglicised sove- the Pope or hi.s legate. Although this
reigns and clergy. But it must be ob- incident proves that the national spirit of
served, that neither king nor clergy had a Scot- was still stronger in some than
the slightest intention of, subjecting the the unnationalising spirit of Popery, yet
Church of Scotland to that of England. the result was productive to the country
Indeed, there occur some noble instances of an evil scarcely, if at all, less than that
of the determined manner in which the which it was intended to repel. It unScottish kings repelled the aggressions questionably tended to increase the interof the archbishops of Canterbury and course between the Scottish ecclesiastics
York, when endeavouring to extend their and Rome, and thereby to introduce
supremacy over the Church of Scotland; more rapidly, and to diffuse more widein particular, the conduct of Alexander ly, the pernicious errors of Popery.
I., in the contest which arose in 1109, is  That the Romish system, thus unhapdeserving of. the highest approbation. pily introduced, made rapid progress,
Yet this monarch was, in these attempts and speedily became prevalent throughat usurpation by the English archbishops, out the kingdom, cannot be doubted; but
only reaping the fruits of his own inno- the records of these things are so meagre,
vations, as it'was by him  chiefly that that no specific details can be given.
bishoprics were first erected in Scotland. During the fierce wars by which ScotDuring the reign of his successor,
During the reign of his somuccessor,-  Jamieson's Hlist. Culd., pp. 240-244; Spotswool
David I., Popery obtained complete foot- p. s.              240-244
3




18              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND..and was devastated, in consequence of as mere serfs, born to obey, and toil, and
the attempts of Edward I. of England to bleed, as each haughty tyrant might be
annex it to his own dominions, it may be pleased to command. In the Highlands
well supposed that little opportunity ex- the system  of clanship prevailed; in
isted for either the improvement of reli- which, though the system itself was pergious institutions, or their temporal ag- fectly despotic, yet it was somewhat mitgrandizement. But soon after Scotland igated by the idea essential to it, that
had secured its national independence, there subsisted a family relationship bewe find fresh indications of the growing tween the chief and every clansman; so
power, wealth, and profligacy of the that, in theory at least, the tie was one of
clergy. So early, indeed, as the reign nature's formation, the authority that of a
of Malcolm II., which began in 1004, father, and the obedience that of children.
the ecclesiastical courts had obtained the In both the feudal and the clan systems
sole right of judging in all matters per- the tendency was to divide the nation, or
taining to dowries and testaments; and to keep it divided, into a number ofjealalso, the passing of a law, that all men ous and conflicting sections, and to renmight bequeath property to the Church.* der it a constant scene of strife, anarchy,
This soon became a fertile source of gain, and blood, such as neither the power of
ignorant people being persuaded by the the king, which was little more than
wily priests, that by such bequests they nominal, nor the supremacy of the laws,
might secure the salvation of their souls, which was scarcely recognised except in
whatever might have been the criminality theory, was able to restrain. The conof their course of life. Besides, while dition of the body of the people, exposea
the priesthood were by these means ac- to the wild violence of factious and imquiring great wealth, they possessed the placable nobles, may be more easily imnonly education which existed in the coun- agined than described.  Nor is it our
try, and were by no means desirous of purpose to do more than merely suggest
communicating it to either the nobility or the public aspect of affairs in Scotland
the common people. They thus became previous to the Reformation, leaving its
indispensable in the management of all minuter delineation to the professedly
public matters, and soon engrossed the civil historian, to whom that province be
chief official stations in the kingdom. longs.
That some of them discharged the duties  Reference has already been made to
of these stations with decided ability, need the excessive grants of land and othei
not be denied; but that they at the same wealth bestowed upon the Romanized
time neglected their sacred duties, and clergy by several of the Scottish kings,
allowed the country to remain in a state especially by David I., and the encourof great ignorance and barbarism, is agement thereby given to that avaricious
equally certain.                     class of men. We have also seen that
In the meantime the social structure of the ruin of the more ancient and purer
Scotland had gradually reached the last faith and discipline of the Culdees was
stage of developement of which such a effected by the same instrumentality,system was capable.  The feudal system  prelates, abbots, and church dignitaries
had been superinduced upon the patriar- of every name and order, alike detesting
chal or clan system.  Those of the great a system, the simplicity and purity of
barons who were of Norman extraction, which formed a strong and manifest concomprising nearly all the Lowland no- demnation of their own. At the same
bility, maintained the feudal system in all time, we are not unaware, that although
its stern inflexible despotism. The sove- the encouragement given to the popish
reign they regarded as but the highest of system may have at first arisen in a great
their own order, to whom they owed a measure from religious motives operating
merely nominal or formal allegiance; on minds comparatively ignorant, there
each other they viewed as rivals, against may have been not a little of an influence
whom   they might wage open war or very different in character, by which the
frame machinations, as seemed the safest Scottish kings were induced to promote
policy; and the people they considered the wealth and power of the clergy.
Regiam Majestatem, pp. 11 and 66.  They may have regarded the ecclesiastic




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    19
cal body as the most likely counterbal- ment, and  had  long engrossed the
ance to the exorbitant power of the feudal principal offices of state. A vacant bisnobility, which could be organized. And hopric or abbacy called forth powerful
it must be admitted, that in many in- competitors, who contended for it as for
stances the prelates of the Church did a principality or petty kingdom: it was
lend important assistance to the sovereign, obtained by similar arts, and not unfreand also exercised some influence in im- quently taken possession of by the same
parting civilization to the community. weapons. Inferior benefices were openLet it be observed also, that to whatever ly put to sale, or bestowed on the illiteextent the prelates did counteract the no- rate and unworthy minions of courtiers,
bility, to that extent they provoked the on dice-players, strolling bards, and the
jealousy of these proud and overbearing bastards of bishops.  Pluralities were
men, who were not unlikely to remem- multiplied without bounds; and benefiber past hostilities in a day of retribution, ces, given in comvlezdam, were kept vaeven though that retribution had begun cant during the life of the cormendator,
on far other and holier grounds.  The nay, sometimes during several lives; so
enormous wealth which the all-grasping that extensive parishes were frequently
Romish Church had acquired, while it deprived, for a long course of years, of
confirmed the influence of that Church, all religious service,-if a deprivation it
tended equally to increase the bitter ha- could be called, at a time when the cure
tred of the nobility, who both envied and of souls was no longer regarded as atscorned the wealth and the luxurious in- tached to livings originally endowed for
dulgence of the pampered priesthood. that pupose. The bishops never on any
The existence of this feeling, and its occasion condescended to preach; inbaneful consequences, we shall have am- deed, I scarcely recollect an instance of
pie occasion hereafter to display.   it mentioned in history, from the erection
But instead of continuing our own ob- of the regular Scottish Episcopacy, down
servations, we cannot better conclude to the Era of the Reformation.  The
this introductory chapter than by copy- practice had even gone into desuetude
ing, from Dr M'Crie's Life of Knox, the among all the secular clergy, and was
following account of the state of religion devolved wholly on the mendicant monks,
in Scotland before the Reformation.  who employed it for the most mercenary
" The corruptions by which the Chris- purposes.
tian religion was universally disfigured  "The lives of the clergy, exempted
before the Reformation, had grown to a from secular jurisdiction, and corrupted
greater height in Scotland than in any by wealth and idleness, were become a
other nation  within the pale of the scandal to religion, and an outrage on
Western Church. Superstition and re- decency. While they professed chastity,
ligious imposture, in their grossest forms, and prohibited, under the severest penalgained an easy admission among the ties, any of the ecclesiastical order from
rude and ignorant people. By means of contracting lawful wedlock, the bishops set
these, the clergy attained to an exorbi- an example of the most shameless protant degree of opulence and power, which fligacy before the inferior clergy,-avowwere accompanied, as they always have edly kept their harlots, provided their
been, with the corruption of their order, natural sons with benefices, and gave
and of the whole system of religion.  their daughters in marriage to the sons
"The full half of the wealth of the of the nobility and principal gentry,
nation belonged to the clergy; and the many of whom were so mean as to congreater part of this was in the hands of taminate the blood of their families by
a few individuals, who had the command such base alliances, for the sake of the
of the whole body. Avarice, ambition, rich dowries which they brought.
and the love of seculiar pomp, reigned  "Through the blind devotion and muamong the superior orders.   Bishops nificence of princes and nobles, monasand abbots rivalled the first nobility in teries, those nurseries of superstition and
magnificence, and  preceded them  in idleness, had greatly multiplied in the nahonours; they were privy-councillors, tion; and though they had universally
and lords of session as well as of parlia- degenerated, and were notoriously be



20              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
come the haunts of lewdness and de- mote foreign jurisdiction was severely
bauchery, it was deemed impious and felt.  Though the popes did nlot enjoy
sacrilegious to reduce their number, the power of presenting to the Scottish
abridge their privileges, or alienate their prelacies, they wanted not numerous prefunds. The kingdom was swarmed with texts for interfering with them.  The
ignorant, idle luxurious monks, who most important causes of a civil nature
like locusts, devoured the fruits of the which the ecclesiastical courts had conearth, and filled the air with pestilential trived to bring within their jurisdiction,
infection; with friars, white, black, and were frequently carried to Rome. Large
gray; canons regular and of St Anthony, sums of money were annually exported
Carmelites, Carthusians. Cordeliers, Do- out of the kingdom, for the confirmation
micians, Franciscan Conventuals and of benefices, the conducting of appeals;
Observantines, Jacobins, Premonstraten- and many other purposes; in exchange
sians, Monks of Tyrone and of Vallis for which were received leaden bulls,
Caulium, and Hospitallers or Holy woollen palls, wooden images, old bones,
IKnights of St. John of Jerusalem; nuns and similar articles of precious consecraof St. Austin, St. Clair, St. Scholastica, ted mummery.
and St. Catharine of Sienna.; with can- " Of the doctrine of Christianity almost
onesses of various classes.          nothing remained but the name. Instead
" The ignorance of the clergy respect- of being directed to offer up their adoraing religion was as gross as the disso- tions to one God, the people were taught
luteness of their morals. Even bishops to divide them among an innumerable
were not ashamed to confess that they company of inferior divinities. A pluwere unacquainted'with the canon of rality of mediators shared the honour of
their faith, and had never read any part procuring the Divine favour with the
of the sacred Scriptures, except what they' one Mediator between God a-Vd man'
met with in their, missals.  Under such and more petitions were presente- to the
masters the people perished for lack of Virgin Mary, and other saints. thaih. to
knowledge.  That book which was able' Him whom the Father heareth always.'
to make them  wise unto salvation, and The sacrifice of the mass was repreintended to be equally accessible to'Jew sented as procuring forgiveness of sins
and Greek, Barbarian and Scythian, to the living and the dead, to the infinite
bond and free,' was locked up from them, disparagement of the sacrifice by which
and the use of it in their own tongue Jesus Christ expiated sin and procured
prohibited under the heaviest penalties. everlasting redemption; and the conThe religious service was mumbled over sciences of men were withdrawn from
in a dead language, which many of the faith in the merits of their Saviour, to a
priests did not understand, and some of delusive reliance upon priestly absoluthem could scarcely read; and the great- tions, papal pardons, and voluntary penest care was taken to prevent even cate- ances. Instead of being instructed to dechisms, composed and approved by the monstrate the sincerity of their faith and
clergy, from coming into the hands of repentance by forsalking their sins, and
the laity.                           to testify their love to God and man by
"Scotland, from  her local situation, practising the duties of morality, and obhad been less exposed to disturbance serving the ordinances of worship authorfrom the encroaching ambition, the vex- ised by Scripture, they were taught that
atious exactions, and fulminating anathe- if they regularly said their aves and cremas of the Vatican court, than the coun- dos, confessed themselves to a priest,
tries in the immediate vicinity of Rome. punctually paid their tithes and churchBut from the same cause, it was more offerings, purchased a mass, went in pileasy for the domestic clergy to keep up grimage to the shrine of some celebrated
on the minds of the people that excessive saint, refrained from flesh on Fridays, or
veneration for the holy see, which could performed some other prescribed act of
not be long felt by those who had the bodily mortification, their salvation was
opportunity of witnessing its vices and infallibly secured in due time; while
worldly politics.  The burdens wlhv:.h those who were so rich and pious as to
attended a state of depernlrmc~ upon a je- build a chapel or a:l altar, and to endow




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                       21
it for the support of a priest, to perform  who had attained a degree of illuminamasses, obits, and dirges, procured a re- tion amidst the general darkness, began
laxation of the pains of purgatory for to hint dissatisfaction with the conduct
themselves or their relations, in propor- of churchmen, and to propose the cortion to the extent of their liberality. It is rection of abuses, he was immediately
difficult for us to conceive how empty, stigmatized as a heretic, and if he did not
ridiculous, and. wretched those harangues secure his safety by flight, was immured
were which the monks delivered for ser- in a dungeon, or committed to the flames
mons.   Legendary tales concerning the And when at last, in spite of all their perfounder of some religious order, his won- secutions, the light which was shining
derful sanctity, the miracles which he around did break in and spread through
performed, his combats with the devil, the nation, the clergy prepared to adopt
his watchings, fastings, flagellations; the the most desperate and bloody measures
virtues of holy water, chrism, crossing, for its extinction.
and exorcism; the horrors of purgatory,  "From  this imperfect sketch of the
and the numbers released from it by the state of religion in this country, we may
intercession of some powerful saint,-  see how false the representation is which
these, with low jests, table-talk, and fire- some persons would impose on us; as if
side scandals formed the favourite topics Popery were a system, erroneous, indeed,
of the preachers, and were served up to but purely speculative,-superstitious, but
the people instead of the pure, salutary, harmless, provided it had not been acciand sublime doctrines of the Bible.    dentally accompanied. with intolerance
"The beds of the dying were besieged, and cruelty.  The very reverse is the
and their last moments disturbed, by ava- truth.  It may'be safely said, that there
ricious priests, who laboured to extort be- is not one of its erroneous tenets, or of its
quests to themselves or to the Church. superstitious practices, which was not
Not satisfied with exacting tithes from the either originally contrived, or afterwards
living, a demand was made upon the accommodated, to advance and support
dead: no sooner had the poor husband- some practical abuse, to aggrandize the
man breathed his last, than the rapacious ecclesiastical order, secure to them  imvicar came and carried off his corpse- munity from civil jurisdiction, sanctify
present, which he repeated as often as their encroachments upon secular authordeath. visited the family.  Ecclesiastical ities, vindicate their usurpations upon the
censures were fulminated against those consciences of men, cherish implicit obewho were reluctant in making these pay- dience to the decisions of the Church,
ments, or who showed themselves diso- and extinguish free inquiry and liberal
bedient to the clergy; and for a little science."*
money they were prostituted on the most  To this very masterly summary of
trifling occasions.  Divine service was the state of religion in Scotland before
neglected; and, except on. festival days, the Reformation nothing need be added;
the churches, in many parts of the coun- and it must convince every reflecting
try were no longer employed for sacred reader, that such a state of matters could
purposes, but served as sanctuaries for not be much longer endured by a people
malefactors, places of traffic, or resorts for like the Scottish, who, though held in
pastime.                               deep ignorance, were naturally shrewd
"Persecution, and the suppression of an.d sagacious, despisers of idleness and
free inquiry, were the only weapons by luxury, and filled with an indestructable
which its interested supporters were able love of liberty, which. even their civil
to defend this system  of corruption and feuds and public wars served in no inconimposture.  Every   avenue by which siderable degree to stimulate and contruth might enter was carefully guarded. firm. And the more protracted and seLearning was branded as the parent of vere that the burden of spiritual despotheresy. The most frightful pictures were ism had been, it was to be expected that
drawn of those who had separated from  it would be followed by a correspondthe Romish Church, and held up before ingly mighty and extensive revulsion
the eyes of the people, to deter them from  and recoil.  Nor should it be forgotten,
imitacixg their example. 1'any person,      I'Crie's Life of Knox, pp. 9-15, 6th edit.




22               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   CHAP. II.
that widely as Popery had shed its bale- trine of the Culdees continued to survive
ful influence, it had not been able wholly long after the suppression of their forms
to exterminate the purer faith and simpler of church government.  Sir James Dalsystem of the ancient Culdees, especially rymple refers us to a clause in the bull
in Ayrshire, and perhaps also in Fife,-  of Pope John XXII. in 1324, concedthe districts adjacent to St. Andrews and ing to Robert Bruce the title of King
Iona,-the earliest abodes and the latest of Scotland, and   removing the    exretreats of primitive Christianity in Scot- communication; in which clause that
land.                                   pontiff makes mention of many heretics,
whom he enjoins the king to suppress.*
There is every reason to believe that
these were the adherents of the Culdees,.CHAPTER     Ilp.           against whom some of the Scottish Romanized clergy had complained to the
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION pope.
TO THE MEETING OF THE FIRST GENERAL AS-  The great schism  which happened in
SEMBLY.                               the Church of Rome, through the contentions of rival popes, gave occasion, as
From the Beginning of the Reformation to the Meeting is well known, to those who ha d secretly
of the first General Assembly in 1560-State ofAffairs  well known, to those Who had secretly
in Rome-Introduction of Wickliffe's Opinions- disapproved of papal corruption, of asPatronages-Lollards of Kyle —Patrick Hamilton the 
first Scottish Martyr-Persecutions in St. Andrews, sailing Popery more openly than before,
Edinburgh, and Glasgow-Cardinal Beaton-Barba- and more boldly demanding some mearous Persecution at Perth-George Wishart —His 
Preaching,-and Martyrdom-Death of Cardinal Bea- sure  of reformation.  Wickliffe, the
ton-John Knox in the Castle of St. Andrews-His
Confinement in the Galleys-Returns to Scotland-morning star of the Reformation, began
Proceedings of the Qaeen-Regent and tfie Reformers then openly both to censure the abuses
—'r'ne First Covelnant-The Lords of the Congregation-Martyrdom of Walter Mill-Political Intrigues of the Church of Rome, and to proclaim
-Final Return of Knox- Destruction of the Monas- those  great doctrines  of Christianity
teries at Perth —Knox at St. Andrews-Growing
Strenoth of the Reformers-Conventions of Estates which it had been the policy of that COr-Siege of Leith-Death of the Queen-Regent-                      T 
— lMeeting of Parliament and Treaty of Peace- rupt Church to conceal.  It might have
First Confession of Faitih-First General Assembly been expected that his doctrines would
of the Church of Scotland.
find a ready reception among the adhe-!N the preceding chapter a brief sketch rents of the Culdees of Scotland, if any
has been presented to the reader of the were still remaining; and accordingly
usurpations of the prelatic and corrupt we find, that John Resby, an EnglishChurch of Rome; and the final suppres- man, and a scholar of Wickliffe's, was
sion of the Culdees, which we may re- condemned for maintaining that the pope
gard as having been accomplished in the was not the vicar of Christ, and that no
year 1297, that being the date of the last man of a wicked life ought to be acdocuments signed by them    as a public knowledged pope.t     For holding and
body.   But though from that time the teaching    these opinions, with  certain
Culdee form  of church government and others deemed also     heretical, he was
discipline may be regarded as extinct, burned to death in the year 1407.     It
there is no reason to believe that their re- would appear that this cruel deed had for
ligious tenets were consigned to oblivion a time prevented  at least the  open
at the same instant.  Indeed, such a re- avowal of similar doctrines in Scotland;
sult may be regarded as absolutely im- as the next victim of popish tyranny was
possible.  All forcible attempts to sup- found at the distance of twenty-five years.
press religion but compel it to burn with This victim  was Paul Craw, a Boheincreased intensity, and to be retained mian, and a follower of John Huss.   It
with increased pertinacity, within the se- does not appear on what account he had
cret heart; unless, indeed, such attempts come to Scotland; but having begun to
be carried to the extreme of utterly ex- disseminate the opinions of the Bohemian
terminating the adherents of the perse- reformer, he was laid hold of oy the incuted faith,-a dire result which has stigation of Henry Wardlaw, bishop of
been several times produced in different St. Andrews, convicted of denying tha
nations.  There is, besides, evidence, althougyh but slight, to prove that the doc-  Stwr J. lrdyple's Historical Collections p. 52.
thuh b      u slgt to Sproveta h o-,        tswood, p. 56,




A. D. 1525.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   23
doctrines of transubstantiation, auricular proportion of the wealth of the kingdom
confession, and praying to saints, then into their own possession, these crafty
handed over to the secular powers, and churchmen became anxious to resume
by them committed to the flames, at St. the patronages into their own hands;
Andrews, in the year 1432.  That he and putting the same machinery of supermight not at the stake promulgate his stition again to work, they prevailed on
opinions among the spectators by his last the lay patrons to resign the right of
dying declaration, his destroyers adopted presentation to the Church, by annexing
the barbarous policy of forcing a ball of it, as it was called, to bishoprics, abbacies,
brass into his mouth, then gazing, as priories, and other religious houses.
they thought, in safety, on the agonies of The benefices thus annexed or approthe voiceless sufferer.              priated were termed patrimonial, and
The popish clergy seem    to have were not longer subject to the patronage
thought tlieir triumph complete, and them- of laymen. The civil power became at
selves at liberty to prosecute with even length alarmed at the prospect of the
increased energy their schemes of ag- lands and wealth of the kingdom being
grandisement. One method in which thus placed in the hands of a body of men
this was prosecuted deserves to be par- who were not only beyond the control
ticularly noticed, as intimately connected of the civil law, but were in fact the subwith a subject to which we shall have jects of a foreign power. An attempt
repeated occasion to refer in the course was therefore made to check this practice
of this work, viz., the subject of patron- of annexation, by a statute in the reign
age. It has not been exactly ascertained of James III., in the year 1471; but so
at what time the system of lay patronage effectual had the schemes of the clergy
Was introduced in Scotland.          been, that at the period of the ReformaThe Late Dr. Mc'Crie, whose opinions tion there were in Scotland only two
on all matters of church history are of hundred and sixty-two non-appropriated
the very highest authority, held that it benefices out of the whole number, concould not have been introduced before sisting of about nine hundred and forty.
the tenth century. The first mention of Even of these two hundred and sixty-two
Scottish patronages and presentations a considerable number, though not annexwith which we are acquainted occurs in ed, were in the hands of bishops, abbots,
the Book of Laws of Malcolm II., and the heads of other religious houses;
who ascended the throne in the year so that the crafty and avaricious popish
1004;- and although the critical acu- clergy might deem themselves secure,
men of Lord Hailes has succeeded in being possessed of more than half the
casting considerable doubt upon the wealth of the kingdom, and that, too,
genuine antiquity of these laws, this placed beyond the power of any control,
much may at least be said, that no claim  except that of an appeal to Romen,-a
more ancient can be pretended for the danger which they might well regard as
asumed right of patronage in Scotland, at not very formidable.
the same time that by these laws the   [1494.] But while the   priesthood
right of deciding respecting "the advo- were thus strenuously endeavouring to
cation of kirks and the right of patron- consolidate their power, and to increase
age," pertains to the jurisdiction of the their splendour, obtaining the erection of
Church. For a time, it would appear, an archbishopric, first at St. Andrews,
the Scottish clergy followed the usual and then at Glasgow, they did not seem
policy of the papal Church, holding out to be aware that the spirit of religious reevery inducement to men to bequeath formation was diffusing itself silently but
large sums for the erection and endow- rapidly throughout the kingdom, especialment of churches, monasteries, &c., as ly in the western districts of Kyle, Carthe best mode of securing their salvation; rick, and Cunningham. At length they
and allowing to such donors and subse- began to take alarm, and shaking off
quently to their heirs, the right of pre- their golden dreams, they prepared to
senting to the benefices thus bequeathed. crush their hated antagonists. Robert
But when they had obtained a very large Blacater, the first archbishop of Glasgow,
Regian Majestatem, pp. 2, 11.  prevailed on James IV. to summon be,




24               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II,
fore the great council about thirty per- result was, that they were dismissed,
sons, male and female, natives mostly of with an admonition to beware of new
the above-named western districts; the doctrines, and to content themselves with
chief of whom was George Campbell of the faith of the Church.
Cessnock, Adam Reid of Barskimming,     No new persecutions for heresy ocJohn Campbell of New-mills, Andrew    curred during the reign of James IV.,
Schaw of Polkemmet, and the Ladies of and after his death on the fatal field of
Stair and Polkellie.*  This memorable Flodden, the attention of the nobility and
trial of the Lollards of Kyle, as they the clerical dignitaries was too much ocwere opprobiously termed, took place in cupied with the prosecution of their own
the year 1594.    The articles which selfish and factious designs, to bestow
they were accused of holding have been much regard upon the progress of relirecorded both by Knox and Spotswood gious opinions.   James Beaton had been
with little variation, except that Knox's translated from  Glasgow  to the archaccount is rather more full than the other. bishopric of St. Andrews, and, in conTheir main tenor is chiefly in condem- junction with the Douglas faction, ruled'
nation of the worship of the Virgin Mary, the kingdom  with considerable ability
of saints, reliques, images, and the mass; during the minority of the young king,
and also of the various arrogant preten- James V. According to Spotswood, Beasions and licentious abuses of the pre- ton  was neither violently set, nor much
lates and the priesthood, without any solicitous, as it was thought, how matters
very clear statement of the leading doc- went in the Church."  Still, notwithtrines of pure Christianity.  It appears, standing their political cares, the clergy
indeed, exceedingly probable, that the were aware that the writings of the ConLollards of Kyle did little more than re- tinental Protestant divines were beginvive the old contest between the Culdees ming to be introduced, as appears from
and the prelates; and that the designa- an act of parliament passed in 1525,
tion given to them by their popish ene- strictly prohibiting the importation of all
mies was not in consequence of their hav- such writings, and also forbidding all
ing actually imbibed the tenets of Lollard: public "disputations about the heresies
the WXaldensian, but that it was applied.of Luther, except it be to the confusion
to them partly as a term of reproach, and Ithereof, and that by clerks in the schools
partly with a view to prejudge their alenarlie" [alone.]*  Nor was their anxicause. For it has always been the policy ety unfounded.  There is great reason
of those who were engaged in persecut- to think that some of these Protestant
ing religion, to slander, misrepresent, writings had about this time fallen into
and affix to it a calumnious name, and: the hands of a youth whose rank and
then to assail it under this maliciously- talents shed lustre on the cause which he
imposed disguise.  Few men have ever espoused.
persecuted religion avowedly as such;   Patrick Hamilton, a youth of royal
but how often have they called religion lineage, and not less distinguished by the
fanaticism, and then persecuted its ad- possession of high mental endowments,
herents under the calumnious designation was the chosen instrument by means of
of fanatics!                          whom "the Father of lights" rekindled
Providentially for the Lollards of in Scotlandl the smouldering beacon of
Kyle, James IV. himself presided at the eternal truth.
trial,-a monarch   who, with all his    Being designed by his relations for the
faults, had yet too much of manliness Church. there had been conferred on him,
and candour to permit his judgment to even in infancy, the abbacy of Ferne,be greatly swayed by the malignity of a foretaste of the wealth and honours to
the prelates.  Adam  Reid appears to which he might aspire, and a stimulus to
have taken the chief part in the defence, quicken his ambition. But while his
and to have answered with such spirit, friends were anticipating for him a splenpoint, and humour, as to amuse James, did career of worldly pomp and power, a
and baffle the bishop completely.  The very different path was preparing for him.
The ambitious and worldly, yet ignorant
Knox's History of the Reformation, p. 2; Slots-      w        y 
wood, p. 60.                                M'Crie's Life of Knox, p. 23, 6th edit.




A. D. 1528.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      25
priesthood, by whom he was surrounded, caused him to be apprehended under
began to mark with jealous eye his al- night, and committed to the Castle.
tered manner, to note suspiciously the  The very next day he was brought bepraise he gave to the study of ancient lit- fore the archbishop, and a large convenerature in preference to the dry logic of tion of bishops, abbots, priors, and other
the schools, and the severe terms in which dignitaries and doctors of the Church, and
he condemned the abounding corruptions there charged with maintaining and proof the Church. Partly, perhaps, to avoid pagating certain heretical opinions. Johr
the danger to which he was thus expos- Knox declares, that the articles for which
ing himself, but chiefly to obtain a more he was condemned were merely those of
complete knowledge of the doctrines of "pilgr'image, pugr'gatory, prayers to
the Reformation, he resolved to visit the saints, and prayers for the dead, alContinent in 1526.  With this view he though matters of greater importance had
naturally directed his course to Wittem- been in question.  Spotswood, on the
berg, where he was speedily honoured other hand, specifies thirteen distinct artiwith the friendship and esteem of Luther cles, of much graver character, which
and Melancthon. After enjoying the bene- were condemned as heretical, and he confit of their society for a short time, he pro- demned for holding them.  The probaceeded to the University of Marbourg, bility is, that both statements are true;
where he obtained the instructions of the that the articles specified by Spotswood
celebrated Francis Lambert.  But the are those "matters of greater importance"
more that his own mind acquired of the to which Knox alludes; but that in deknowledge of divine truth, the more ear-  laring the sentence publicly, no mention
nestly did he long to return and commu- was made of any but the four topics stated
nicate that knowledge to his beloved coun- by Knox, because for his accusers to have
trymen.                               done otherwise would have been to have
The return to Scotland of this noble published tenets themselves, which they
youth at once attracted all eyes, as if a wished to consign to oblivion. Such, innew star had appeared in the heavens. deed, has been the policy of persecutors
His instructions were listened to with the in all ages,-to fix the attention of the
deepest attention, and the doctrines which public, as far as possible, on the external
he taught beganto spread rapidly through- aspect and the nonessentials of the subout the kingdom. His high birth, repu- ject in dispute, thereby to conceal the
tation for learning, the attractive elegance truth, while they are destroying its deof his youthful aspect, and the persuasive fenders.  So acted the Romanized Enggraces of his courteous demeanour, ren- lish prelates towards the Culdees, as we
dered his influence almost irresistible; have already seen; and so, as we shall
and the popish clergy saw no safety to afterwards see, acted the persecutors of
their cause but in his destruction.  They the Church of Scotland in different periframed their murderous plans with fiend- ods ofher history.
like ingenuity.  Being apprehensivethat  [1528.]  The sentence of condemna<the young king might not readily be per- tion was pronounced; and, to give it all
suaded to sanction the death of one who the weight of authority, every person of
stood to him in the near relationship of name and rank, civil and ecclesiastical,
cousin, they contrived to send him on a was induced to sign it; amongst whom
pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Dothess, was the Earl of Cassilis, a boy of thiror Duthack, in Ross-shire.  They next teen years of age.  Arrangements were
decoyed Patrick Hamilton to St. An- then made to carry it into effect, that very
drews, on the pretence of wishing to have day. The pile was erected in front of
a free conference with him on religious the College of St. Salvador, and the youthsubjects.  Pursuing their perfidious plot, ful martyr hurried to the stake.  Before
they caused Alexander Campbell, prior being bound to the stake, he divested
of the Blackfriars, to hold several inter- himself of his outer garments, and
views with him, and even to seem to con- gave them to his servant, who had attendcede to his opinions so far as to draw from  ed him faithfully and affectionately for a
him a full avowal of them. Their meas- number of years, accompanying the gift
tres being new ripe for execution, they with these tender and pathetic words:4




26              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II.
1 This stuff will not help me in the fire, doubted, and to admit sacred truths with
and will profit thee. After this you can which they had till then been utterly unreceive from me no more good, but the acquainted. Several even of the friars
example of my death, which, I pray thee, began to preach and defend doctrines
keep in mind; for, albeit it be bitter to savouring strongly of the Reformation,
the flesh, and fearful in man's judgment, and, at the same time, to declaim loudly
yet it is the entrance into eternal life, against the licentious and ungodly lives
which none shall possess that denies of the bishops and the chief men of the
Christ Jesus before this wicked genera- ecclesiastical body.
tion."  A train of gunpowder, laid for  The archbishop and his familiars,
the purpose of setting fire to the pile, ex- alarmed and irritated, spoke of burning
ploded ineffectually, scorching his left some, in order to terrify and silence othside and face, but leaving the mass un- ers; but a bystander, with a mixture of
kindled. While they were procuring shrewdness and mockery, warned the
materials of a more combustible nature, archbishop to act warily, and if he burned
the calm spirit of the scorched sufferer any more, to burn them in cellars; " for
poured itself forth in earnest exhortations the smoke," said he, "of Mr. Patrick
and instructions to the pitying spectators. Hamilton hath infected as many as it
The treacherous Friar Campbell attempt- blew upon."  So rapidly, indeed, did
ed to disturb him by calling on him to re- these reforming doctrines spread, that in
cant, and pray to the Virgin Mary, which a short time Alexander Seaton, a Domindrew from the dying martyr a severely ican friar, and confessor to the king, pubsolemn reproof, ending with an appeal licly preached in a strain directly suband citation to the judgment-seat of the versive of the very essence of Popery.
Lord Jesus.  The pile was then effectu- The following were his leading proposially kindled; and as the flames blazed up tions:-That Christ Jesus is the end and
around him, his voice rose calm  and perfection of the law,-that there is no
clear,-" How long, O Lord, shall dark- sin where God's law is not violated,ness cover this realm?  How long wilt and that to satisfy for sins lies not in
thou suffer this tyranny of man?  Lord man's power, but the remission thereof
Jesus, receive my spirit!"-and with cometh by unfeigned repentance, and by
these words his spirit returned to God faith apprehending God the Father, merwho gave it.*                         ciful in Jesus Christ his Son.*  Such
Thus died Patrick Hamilton, the first doctrines, publicly preached by a bold
Scottish martyr, on the last day of Feb- and eloquent man, occupying an influenruary 1528, and in the twenty-fourth year tial position, gave dire offence to the corof his age. He died a victim to the mal- rupt priesthood, who accordingly called
ice and the treachery of the popish priest- him to account for certain heretical opinhood; but his death did more to recom- ions which he was accused of holding.
mend the cause for which he suffered to His able defence, and the favourable rethe heart of Scotland, than could have gard of the king, which he then enjoyed,
been accomplished by a lengthened life, saved him for that time; but the arch-as a sudden flash of lightning at once bishop secretly influenced the young and
rends the gnarled oak of a thousand licentious monarch against a man who
years, and yields a glimpse of the strong was too faithful and severe a monitor;
glories of heaven.                    and Seaton, becoming aware of the secret
[1529.]  The report of the martyrdom  machinations against him, fled to Berof this noble youth spread rapidlythrough- wick, and wrote to the king a remarkaout the kingdom, and men began to in- ble letter, defending himself, retorting the
quire why Patrick Hamilton was burned, charge against his enemies, and demandand what were the opinions he had held ing the protection of just and impartial
and maintained to the death.   When laws. This letter is given at length in
these opinions were related, the public Knox's History of the Reformation, and
mind was not only excited, but enlighten- is well deserving of an attentive perusal,
ed also; and many began to call in ques- as containing the first attempt, by a Scottion much which they had never before tish reformer, to point out the duty of the' KIle, p. 6; Spotswood, p. 65.          ~ Knox, Historic, p. 16.




A. D. 1534.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    27
civil magistrate respecting religious mat- the epistles and gospels of the day, and
ters; asserting it to be the duty of the desired to forbear, seeing his diligence
king, to which he is " bound by the law  that way brought him in suspicion of
of God, to cause every man, in any case heresie.  If he could find a good gospel
accused of his life, to have just defence, or a good epistle, that made for the liberty
and his accusers produced conform to of the holy Church, the bishop willed
their own law." It will be observed, him to preach that to his people, and let
that while this asserts the power and the the rest be. The honest man replying,
duty of the sovereign in what regards the that he had read both the New Testalife, and by consequence the property, of ment and the Old, and that he had never
the subject, it leaves the accused person found an ill epistle or an ill gospel in
to be tried by the laws of that court any of them.  The bishop said, I thank
which he is assumed to have offended, God I have lived well these many yeais,
and by consequenceto suffer,ifconvicted, and never knew either the Old or the
the punishments which such court may New: I content me with my portuise and
be competent to inflict.  To this letter, pontificall; and if you, Dean Thomas,
and the principle very ably stated in it, leave not these fantasies, you will repent
we direct the reader's attention the more, when you cannot mend it. Dean Thomas
in consequence of the misrepresentations answered, that he believed it was his
of party writers, who refer to it as admit- duty to do what he did, and that he had
ting the right of the king to judge directly laid his account with any danger that
in matters of doctrine.              might follow."`
[1534.] The fierce persecuting zeal of  In the course of the same year, (1538)
the Archbishop Beaton, and his counsel Jerom Russell, a friar, and a young man
of prelates, abbots, priors, &c., was in- named  Kennedy, of Ayr, were both
effectual. Manylearned men, especially burned at the same stake in Glasgow.
Gawin Logie, principal of St. Leonard's, At first, the heart of Kennedy, glowing
and John Winram, the sub-prior, either with all the fresh feelings of youth,
directly taught or secretly connived at shrunk from the prospect of such an
the teaching of the reformed doctrines; early and fearful death; but spiritual
while considerable numbers of the infe- strength being graciously imparted to
rior orders of the clergy abandoned the him in his hour of weakness, he fell on
errors of Popery, cast aside the impure his knees, breathed forth his fervent
and extravagant legends of saints, and thanks to God for the heavenly comfort
became earnest preachers of the gospel. he had received, and then exclaimed,
Fear and rage inflamed the hearts of the "Now I defy death! Do what you please;
persecutors, and increased their cruelty. I praise God, I am ready 1"  This scene
Norman Gourlay and David Straiton made such an impression upon the archwere condemned at Edinburgh; and, bishop of Glasgow, that he would have
after being half-strangled, were cast into spared the lives of the heroic martyrs,
the flames, at Greenside, on the 17th had he not been urged on to the dreadful
August, 1534.    Henry Forrest was deed by the bloody brotherhood around
burned at St. Andrews about the same time. him.  The two young sufferers perished
In February 1538, Robert Forrester, together at the stake, exhorting each
gentleman, Duncan    Simpson, priest, other to endure patiently their short agoFriarKyllor, Friar Beveridge,and Dean nies, for the sake of Him who died to
Thomas Forrest, were condemned to destroy death, and to purchase for his
death, and burned in one huge pile on followers eternal life; and their calm
the Castle Hill of Edinburgh.  There is Christian fortitude awoke the deep syman incident connected with the last-named pathies of the pitying and admiring specperson, which deserves attention, as ex- tators.
hibiting the ignorance of the bishops.  Hitherto the persecution of the reformWe give it in the words of Archbishop ers had been carried on nominally under
Spotswood:-" This poor man, not long the authority of James Beaton, archbishop
before, had been called before the bishop of St. Andrews, who, however, was in
of Dunkeld, his ordinary, for preaching his latter years greatly under the influevery Sunday to his parishioners upon           Spotswooi, pp. 66,67.




28              HISTORY OF TIIE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IL
ence of his nephew, David Beaton, a of a talent for poetry. But matters of
man of great talents, still greater ambi- grave political importance and civil distion, and immitigable cruelty of disposi- sensions intervened, turning aside the
tion. He had been educated in Fra-nce; king's favour, and directLng the active
and after his return to Scotland, he was energies of the cardinal into another
sent by the king to negotiate respecting channel.
the marriage of his own sovereign with  Allusion has been already made to the
a French princess.  This was an object wish of Henry VIII. to form an alliance
on which the hearts of the Scottish clergy with James V., by offering to him his
were most earnestly bent, being appre- daughter in marriage.  Against this the
hensive lest James should comply with cardinal and whole clergy of the kingthe proposal of Henry VIII. of England dom remonstrated in the strongest terms.
to give to the Scottish monarch his own They were afraid that the influence and
daughter in marriage. The deep designs example of Henry might induce James
of the clergy were successful. The minds to favour the Reformation, in which case
of Henry and James were estranged their power and their wealth must inevitfrom each other; and first a daughter of ably perish. They pointed out to James
the French king, and, upon her early the danger of his being imprisoned, as his
death, Mary of Guise, became succes- ancestor James I. had been should he
sively united in marriage to the Scottish venture into England; and they offered
king.  For these services the King of to provide him funds for the support of an
France prevailed upon the pope to raise army, should war arise in consequence
David Beaten to the rank of a cardinal, of his refusing to hold an interview with
by which title he is hereafter to be desig- Henry. The reader of Scottish history
nated.                               must be well aware that the reign of
Upon the death of James Beaton, in James V. was one continued contest bethe year 1539, the cardinal succeeded tween the king and the nobility. His
him in the archbishopric of St. Andrews, first great conflict was with the house of
and very speedily gave proof of his de- Douglas, which he succeeded in overtermination to employ still sharper mea- throwing, after a protracted and dubious
sures for the extermination of the reform- struggle.  Pursuing what had been the
ers and their tenets. He called together policy of the race of Stuart, especially
all his adherents of the clerical body, to- since the time of James I., the king strove
gether with a considerable number of the to reduce the power of the great feudal
nobility, to St. Andrews; and there, pre- barons; and this induced him to yield
siding in state, proceeded to declare the more readily to the persuasions of the
dangers to which the Church was ex- clergy than he might otherwise have
posed from the prevalence of heresy, done and also to promote unworthy fawhich, he said, found too much counte- vourites to those stations of dignity and
nance even at court, and the necessity of power'which the nobility were accusinstituting still more rigorous measures tomed to regard as their birthright. But:
for the suppression of heresy.  He then- though the intrigues of the clergy might
named Sir John B-rthwick as infected Isway the councils of the king, they could
with heretical opinions, and- cited him to do him little service in the field. The
appear and answer to the charge. But wars with England produced but a series
Borthwick, having been aware of his of disgraceful defeats, the nobles allowdanger, had fled to England; and not ing themselves to be routed and taken
appearing when summoned, was con- prisoners by mere handfuls of their andemned in absence, and burnt in effigy, tagonists. These disastrous events broke
in May 1540, both at St. Andrews and: the heart of the unhappy monarch, who
Edinburgh.   The king was at that time died at Falkland on the 14th day of Dethought to be favourably disposed to- Member 1542, leaving the shattered sovewards the reformers, influenced, proba- reignty to his infant daughter, the ill-fated
bly, by his friendship for Sir David Mar, who was born seven days before
Lindsay, whose poetical genius attracted his death.
the admiration of the youthful monarch,  Both Knox and Spotswood assert that
himself possessing. taste and somewhat Cardinal Beaton suborned a priest, called




A. D. 1543.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    29
Henry Balfour, to forge a document pur- tract of marriage between his son Edporting to be the will of the king, in ward and the infant queen of Scotland.
which the cardinal, and the Earls of   So far all seemed prosperous; but a
Huntly, Argyle, and Murray, were ap- great reverse was at hand..The regent,
pointed governors of the kingdom during though a plausible, was a weak and fickle
the minority of the infant queen. But man, liable at all times to be wrought
this daring attempt was defeated in a upon and biassed by those of greater demeeting of the chief nobility at Edin- cision and energy of character. With
burgh; and James Hamilton, earl of this, his constitutional failing, the wily
Arran, next heir to the crown, was ap- cardinal'was well acquainted; and, to
pointed regent and governor of the king- avail himself of it, invited from France,
dom.                                 John Hamilton, abbot of Paisley, the
The defeat of the cardinal, and the ap- regent's own illegitimate brother, and
pointment of Arran to the regency, were David Panter, afterwards bishop of Ross,
productive of great advantage to the cause two able and designing men, by whose
of the Reformation. After the kings influence he hoped to accomplish his dedeath, there was found a list which had sign.  Too well did they succeed in their
been furnished to him by the cardinal, subtile enterprise. In a short time the
containing the names of some hundreds of regent's mind became so much alienated
persons of various ranks, and possessed of from the reformers, that his chaplains
property and wealth, whom they denounc- were under the necessity of withdrawing
ed as heretics, and by whose forfeited from court to save their lives; Williams
riches the coffers of the king might, ac- retiring to England, and Rough to Kyle.
cording to their suggestions, be easily re- Sir David Lindsay, Kirkaldy of Grange,
plenished. The knowledge of this ne- and other gentlemen who favoured the
farious scheme tended not a little to bring reforming party, were also obliged to reodium on the cardinal and his party, and tire; and the regent became completely
to strengthen the cause of their opponents. the tool of the cardinal and the popish
The regent Arran had also been for some faction. He accordingly broke off the
time favourable to the Reformation, to agreement with England, abjured the rewhich the lamented death of his relative, formed religion, and entered heartily into
the martyr Patrick Hamilton, may easily the great master-scheme of the'cardinal,
be thought to have greatly contributed. to give the young' queen in marriage to
In a parliament held the same year, 1542, the Dauphin of France.
an act was passed, declaring it lawful for  [1543.] Cardinal Beaten having thus
all to read the Scriptures in their native recovered his ascendency in the governlanguage.  Against the passing of this ment of the kingdom, renewed his efforts
act the cardinal and the bishops strove to suppress the Reformation, by means of
with all the energy of fury and despair, the most merciless and exterminating perbut strove in vain. The effect was in- secution. He began his barbarous career
stantaneous and great. Copies of the sa- at Perth, where five men and one woman
cred volume, which had been most care- were brought before him, accused of
fully concealed, and perused with secrecy heresy. They were tried, condemned,
and fear, were now to be seen, as Knox and sentence of death passed upon them,
says, lying on every gentleman's table, -the men to be hanged, the woman to
and the New Testament, especially, borne be drowned. The case of the poor woabout in almost every person's hands.* man, named Helen Stark, deserves to be
For a time the regent gave direct encour- more particularly recorded. She was the
agement to the Reformation, and employ- wife of one of the above-mentioned men,
ed as his own chaplains Thomas Guil- and had recently given birth to a child.
laum'e or Williams, and John Rough, During the anguish of her travail, she
both zealous and faithful preachers of the had been urged by her female.assistant to
reformed doctrines. And, as if for the pray to the Virgin Mary, and had anpurpose of settling the Reformation upon swered that she would only pray to God,
a firm and extensive basis, a treaty was in the name of Jesus Christ.  For this
concluded with Henry VIII. for a con- she was accused of heresy, and con" Knox, p. 34.          demned to die. On the day of execution




30              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP II.
she earnestly requested that she might die aments to that of the beloved Apostle
along with her husband.  Her pathetic John,-so mild, gentle, patient, and unappeal was harshly refused; but she ac- resisting,-his lips touched with a live
companied him to the fatal spot, bearing coal from off the altar, and his heart overher infant in her arms, and exhorting her flowing with holy love to God, and cornhusband to patience and constancy in the passionate affection to mankind.  The
cause of Christ.  He was murdered be- citizens of Montrose; and especially of
fore her eyes; and as soon as life had Dundee, felt and owned the power of his
left his quivering frame, she was dragged heavenly eloquence; and much of his
to a pool of water close at hand, with her time and labours were spent in the latter
babe still clinging to her bosom. When city.
she had withdrawn her precious infant   [1545.] The cardinal was soon infrom its last enjoyment of nature's resting formed of Wishart's preaching, and of
place and nature's nourishment, and con- the deep impression it was producing in
signed it to the charge of a pitying neigh- Dundee.  Instigated by him, Robert
bour, and to the care of Him who is the Mill, a man of great authority in the
orphan's stay, she felt that for her the bit- town, openly commanded him to leave
terness of death was past, and being cast the place, and trouble them no more with
into the whelming waters, died without a his sermons. Expressing his pity and
struggle, full of the steady fortitude and regret that they were thus refusing tn
the heavenly comfort of a Christian listen to the message of salvation, he took
martyr.*                              his departure, along with some of his
Not satisfied with these victims, the friends, to Ayrshire.  There his preachcardinal pursued  his bloody circuit ing was attended with equal success, and,
through Angus and Mearns, inflicting of course, excited equal hostility in the
upon some fines, upon others imprison- breasts of the bishops and clergy.  The
ment, and persecuting others to the death, archbishop of Glasgow hastened to the
taking with him the feeble regent, that town of Ayr, to prevent Wishart from
he might have the appearance of his preaching in the church; and the sheriff
sanction to the perpetration of these cruel of the county prevented him from preachdeeds.                                ing in the church of Mauchline. But
[1544.] He was soon to stain his soul this was a small hindrance to the zealwith the blood of a more distinguished ous martyr.  He could preach in the
victim. This was the celebrated George market-place, in the fields, or on the hillWishart, brother of the Laird of Pittar- side, with equal readiness, and with equal
row, in Mearns.  He had been banished success in convincing his hearers.
by the instigation of the bishop of Bre-  Hearing that the plague had visited
chin, for teaching the Greek language in Dundee, he hastened to return thither,
Montrose, and had resided for some that he might bring the hopes and conyears at the University of Cambridge. solations of the gospel to perishing men
In the year 1544, he returned to his na- in their hour of extreme need. There
tive country in the company of the com- he braved the horrors of the plague, minmissioners who had been sent to negoti- istering comfort to the miserable sufferate a treaty with Henry VIII. of En- ers, both speaking to their souls, and supgland. Immediately upon his arrival in plying their temporal necessities. Even
Scotland, he began to preach the doc- when engaged in this work of mercy, an
trines of evangelical truth, with such attempt was made upon his life by a
warm  and persuasive eloquence as at priest; and he escaped narrowly from a
once to attract, and soften, and convince plot laid to get him into the power of the
the crowding audiences, who wept, and cardinal. Soon afterwards he proceeded
glowed, and trembled as he preached. to Edinburgh, and from thence to HadIn the accounts transmitted by cotempo- dington, beset by enemies, yet for a time
rary writers of this eminent Christian delivered from their snares. During his
martyr, we seem to trace the features of abode in that neighbourhood he was very
a character of surpassing loveliness, bear- constantly attended by John Knox, who
ing a close resemblance in its chief line- was at that time residing as tutor in the
Spotswood, p. 75.       family of Douglas of Langniddrie, and




A. D. 1546.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   31
who scrupled not to wear a sword for the large body of retainers in military array.
defence of his beloved friend, the gentle The sub-prior, John Winram, by the carand unresisting Wishart.             dinal's command, preached a sermon on
[1546.] But the time of his martyrdom  the nature of heresy, but expressed in
was at hand. After preaching at Had- such guarded terms, that it gave no coundington, he went to Ormiston, accompa- tenance to the ruthless deed about to be
nied by the proprietor, and by Crichton perpetrated. Then rose up John Lauder,
of Brunston and Sandilands of Calder. a priest, and entering fully into the spirit
John Knox wished to have accompanied of the cardinal, began, in a strain of the
him also, but Wishart refused to permit coarsest and most ferocious invective, to
hir, saying, " Go back to your pupils: enumerate eighteen articles of accusation
one is sufficient for one sacrifice."  Dur- against Wishart. He answered them all
ing the night, the house was beset by calmly and mildly, but with great strength
armed horsemen, headed by the Earl of of reasoning, and full proof of all his
Bothwell; while the regent and the car- opinions from the Scriptures. He was
dinal were but a short way distant with nevertheless condemned by the unania larger force, so that resistance was in mous voice of the assembled popish prevain.  Ormiston, however, refused to lates and clergy, and sentence passed adyield up Wishart, till Bothwell pledged judging him to be burned to death, as a
his honour to protect his life from the heretic, on the following day.
cardinal's hatred; or, if he should find  Wishart passed the intervening night
that to be impracticable, to restore him in the chamber of the captain of the casagain to the protection of his friends. te, occupying the greater part of it in
But the cardinal and the queen-dowager prayer.  Early next morning, the 2d
persuaded Bothwell to violate his pledge; day of March, 1546, after refusing to
and Wishart was carried to St. Andrews, hold intercourse with two friars who had
and left theie a prisoner, in the power of been sent to hear his confession, he rehis deadly foe.                     quested to converse with Winram, the
While the cardinal was summoning sub-prior. Winram came immediately,
together his prelatic council, that he and after some private conversation, remight with the utmost pomp and ostenta- turned to the cardinal, to request that the
tion proceed to the destruction of his vic- sacrament might be given to the prisoner.
tim, David Hamilton of Preston endea- This was refused; but being invited by
voured to persuade the regent not to con- the captain to breakfast with him, Wissent to the death of so distinguished a hart prayed, exhorted, and distributed
servant of God. The regent yielded so bread and wine to those who were prefar as to write to the cardinal not to pre- sent,-thus commemorating, as fully as
cipitate the trial of Wishart till he should circumstances would permit, the dying
himself come to St. Andrews. The car- love of Him for whose sake he was himdinal haughtily returned this answer: self so soon to die. He then retired to
"That he wrote not to the governor as his private apartment, and remained in
though he depended in any measure upon prayer till those came who were appointed
his authority, but out of a desire he had to take him to the place of execution.
that the heretic's condemnation might They divested him of his usual attire,
proceed with a show of public consent, clad him with a loose garment of black
which, since he could not obtain, he linen, and fastened bags of gunpowder to
would himself do that which he held various parts of his body; and when
most fitting."                      thus arrayed, he was conducted to an
He proceeded accordingly to the exe- outer room near the gate of the castle, to
cution of his bloody purpose; gave or- wait there till the rest of the hideous preders that Wishart should be summoned parations should be completed.
to trial; and marched in state to the  The cardinal, in the meantime, had
Abbey Church, accompanied by the commanded a stake to be fixed in the
archbishop of Glasgow, and a great ground, and combustible materials to be
number of bishops, abbots, and other piled around it, in front of one of the
clerical dignitaries, and attended by a castle-gates, near the priory; and, lest' potaw)od, p. 79.       the friends of Wishart should attempt a




:32             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. AI.
rescue, he had also given directions that most amiable, eloquent, and truly pious
all the cannons and other ordnance of men that ever endured the tortures and
the castle should be pointed to the place obtained the crown of Christian martyrof execution.  The battlements and win- dom. But his death, while it seemed
dows of the fore-tower of the castle were the triumph  of the cardinal's power,
hung with tapestry and spread with rich proved to be the consummation of his
cushions, that the cardinal and the pre- guilt, and the knell summoning him to
lates might, in state, and at their ease, judgment. While the fierce popish facfeast their eyes upon the torments of the tion extolled the zeal and the courage of
martyred servant of the Lord.         the cardinal, in thus, by his own authorAll things being now prepared, Wish- ity exterminating heretics, and avenging
art was led to the stake, with his hands the cause of holy mother Church, a great
bound behind his back, a rope round his body of the people were stirred with inneck, and an iron chain about his waist. dignation against the shedders of innoWhen he reached the spot, he kneeled cent blood, and several men of birth
down and prayed aloud saying thrice, "O, and influence began to talk  openly
thou Saviour of the world, have mercy on of the necessity of putting an end to
me! Father of heaven, I commend my the bloodthirsty career of the cardispirit into thy holy hands!" IHe then nal, unless they were willing tamely to
rose and addressed the people, exhorting yield themselves up to be butchered at
them not to be offended with the Word his pleasure. Of those who thus talked,
of God, notwithstanding the torments the chief were John Lesly, brother to the
which they saw prepared for him; en- Earl of Rothes; Norman Lesly, son to
treated them to accept, believe and obey the same Earl; William Kircaldy of
the Word of God; and expressed entire Grange, who afterwards acted a distinforgiveness of his enemies and persecu- guished part in the Reformation; Peter
tors. Then the executioner, casting him- Carmichael; and James Melville, of the
self upon his knees, before the martyr, family of Carnbee.  To these were
begged to be forgiven for the deed he joined several other men of less note, but
was about unwillingly to do. Wishart equally determined; and they began to
desiring him to draw near him, kissed plot how they might best succeed in their
his cheek, saying, " Lo, here is a token determination to put the cardinal to death.
that I forgive thee; my heart, do thine  The cardinal was not unaware of the
office!"  The sounding of a trumpet indignation which his cruelties had exgave the signal; the martyr was tied to cited; but his haughty spirit determined
the stake, and the fire was kindled around him to brave the hostility which he had
him, exploding the gunpowder, but not provoked.  For this purpose he gave
putting an end to his sufferings.  The his illegitimate daughter in marriage to
captain perceiving him still alive, drew the Earl of Grawford, thereby to confirm
near the pile, and bade him be of good his personal influence; and began to forcourage.  Wishart replied with unfalter- tify more strongly his archiepiscopal
ing voice, " This fire torments my body, palace, or castle, at St. Andrews.  This
but no way abates my spirit."  Then latter scheme, from which he hoped selooking towards the cardinal, he said, curity, prepared the way of his death.
( He who in such state from that high The conspirators came privately, and seplace feedeth his eyes with my torments, parate from each other, so as to avoid
within few days shall be hanged out at causing suspicion, to St. Andrews, on the
the same window, to be seen with as evening of the 28th of May.      Next
much ignominy as he now leaneth there morning, as the workmen employed in
in pride."  As he ended these words, fortifying the castle were assembling,
the executioner tightened the rope that they entered separately, till the whole
was about his neck; and the fire now  number, sixteen in all, had obtained adblazing fiercely, he was speedily con- mission. They then seized the porter,
sumed to ashes."                     took possession of the keys, and secured
Thus died George Wishart, one of the the gates and going from room to room,
either put out the domestics, or lockled
For a more full account, see Spotswood, pp. 75-82; ither put ut the dmesti, r 
Knox, Historie, pp. 43-63; Foxe Martyrology.  them  up.  Having thus mastered the




A. D. 1546.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     33
castle, they proceeded to the apartment liberate malice, gross licentiousness, and
occupied by the cardinal, who was still relentless cruelty.*
asleep,-so quietly had the whole affair  Scarcely was the Cardinal dead when
been conducted. Starting at length out a tumult arose in the town, caused by
of his slumbers, the cardinal demanded those who had been expelled from the
the cause of the noise; and learning that castle; and a large body of the populace
the castle was in the hands of his ene- collected and began loudly to demand to
mies, he at first attempted to escape, and see the cardinal, or to know what was befinding that to be impracticable, he barri- come of him. To allay the tumult, the
caded his chamber door, and then held conspirators exposed the dead body from
parley with those by whom  it was as- the same window, or over the same part
sailed. The assailants refused to prom- of the battlements, where the cardinal had,
ise him his life; and, as the door re- a short time before, reclined in haughty
sisted their efforts to force it, they called state, gazing on the martyrdom of Wishart.
for a fire to burn it open. Upon this the Thus were the prophetic dying words of
door was opened, and the cardinal the martyr fulfilled; aI 4 many of the peothrowing himself despairingly into a pie, when they beheld the strange spectachair, cried out, " I am a priest, I am a cle, remembering at the same time the
priest; ye will not slay me!"   John previous prediction, began to regard the
Lesly and Peter Carmichael struck him  event as a signal instance of the just judghastily with their daggers, but James ment of God, and, abandoning allthought
Melville interposed, and putting them  of tumultuary revenge, returned quietly
aside, said, " This work and judgment of to their homes.
God, although it be secret, yet ought to  That the death of Cardinal Beaton was
be done with greater gravity."  Then an act of deliberate murder, and therefore
turning to the cardinal, and presenting in itself highly criminal, no right-thinkthe point of his sword to his breast, he ing man will deny. At the same time it
continued, "Repent thee of thy former ought to be kept in mind, that such actions
wicked life, but especially of the shed- bear in our eyes a much blacker aspect
ding of the blood of that notable instru- than they did in the estimation of men of
ment of God, Mr. George Wishart; that period. Some of the conspirators
which, albeit, the flame of fire consumed may also have been excited by resentment
before men, yet cries it for vengeance for private injuries, others by motives of
upon thee, and we from God are sent to state policy and the influence of English;
avenge it. For here, before my God, I gold; but a desire to deliver their country
protest, that neither the hatred of thy from his oppression, and especially to
person, the love of thy riches, nor the avenge the death of Wishart. seems to
fear of any trouble thou couldest have have been unquestionably the predominatdone to me in particular, moved or mov- ing feeling by which they were impelled
eth me to strike thee, but only because to the deed. The attempt which has been
thou hast been, and remainest, an obsti- recently made, by a modern historian, to
nate enemy against Christ Jesus and his blacken the characters of all parties conholy evangel."  With these words he cerned, and even to implicate the martyr
struck the wretched and trembling man Wishart himself, deserves no other antwice or thrice through the body; whose swer than to be at once indignantly reexpiring breath was spent in crying, " I pelled, or, if an answer, not more than
am a priest, I am a priest! fy, fy! all is may be contained in a brief appended
gone!"  Thus died David Beaton, car- note.t  To every reader accustomed to
dinal, and archbishop of St. Andrews, investigate moral evidence, the true na —
without uttering one word of repentance ture of the transaction will at once be
or of prayer, on the 29th day of May, manifest; and by all such, a fair estimate
1546, leaving behind him a name unri- of the moral delinquency of men who
valled in Scottish annals for the fearful thought themselves called upon to avenge
combination of evil qualities of which the wrongs of their country and the murhis character was composed,-unscrupu- der of their friend, by committing a deed
lous ambition, far-reaching treachery, de- K* nox, Historie, pp. 64,.65, t See N te in Appendix
5




34              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II:
of lawless justice on the person of a crimi- by whom it was held, and partly induced
nal too high for the reach of law, will, to seek an asylum within it from the hoswithout difficulty, be formed; and with tility of the popish clergy, who seemed
these remarks we quit the subject.    already to have marked him out as a danSoon after the death of Cardinal Bea- gerous opponent, and therefore to be cut
ton, a number of gentlemen of Fife, who off as soon as possible; but chiefly to aid
favoured the reforming party, entered into Rough in the controversy with Annan.
the castle of St. Andrews, thus both giving Soon after his arrival, the people of the
countenance to the deed of the conspira- place, together with Rough, resolved to
tors, and securing a place of strength in give John Knox a solemn and public call
which they could defend themselves while to be their minister. He was at first overthey were endeavouring to make their whelmed with anxiety when he thought
peace with the regent.  This, however, of the awful responsibility of the ministeit was not so easy to accomplish, insti- rial office, but durst not refuse the call;
gated as he was by the clergy to avenge and from that hour manifestly regarded
in the most exemplary manner the death himself as devoted, with all his energies
of their leader. The regent laid siege to of mind and body, to the preaching of the
the castle in August; but it was by this everlasting gospel.*
time so well garrisoned and supplied with  Knox being thus publicly called to his
both provisions and ammunitions from  great work, proceeded immediately to
England, that the besiegers could make place the controversy between the Reformno impression upon it, and at length en- ers and the Papists on its proper basis,
tered into terms of agreement and a sus- Instead of waging a skirmishing warfare
pension of hostilities with the defenders. of outposts, he directed his efforts against
John Rough, formerly chaplain to the the very heart of the enemy's position.
regent before his relapse into Popery, had Instead of contending about rites and cereentered into the castle of St. Andrews, monies, the licentious lives of the priestalong with the Fifeshire gentlemen, pre- hood, and minor errors and perversions
vious to the commencement of the siege; of doctrine, he boldly stated, and offered
but upon the suspension of hostilities he to maintain, the proposition, that the papal
extended his preaching to the town, to Church of Rome is Antichrist. From
which he then gained ready access. He the hour when that proposition was boldly
was there encountered by John Annan, a announced, are we disposed to date the
popish priest and dean, and being inferior real beginning of the Reformation in
to his antagonist in learning, made ap- Scotland; because from that hour it was
plication for aid to one who was destined manifest that there could be no comproto become the MAN of the age.         mise,-no retaining of anything in form,
[1547.] This was JOHN INOX, the government, or doctrine, which had no
great SCOTTISH REFORMER. He had been other authority than what was derived
educated for the Romish Church; but his from the practice or the teaching of an
bold and penetrating mind could not be apostate and antichristian body,-no apheld in the trammels of mere priestly and peal to any other standard than the Word
scholastic authority, and at a very early of God.
period of his public life he showed his  A public disputation was held in the
disposition to disregard antiquated dog- presence of the sub-prior, between Knox
matism, and to walk freely on the paths and the priests; the effect of which was
of light and liberty pointed out by the prodigious upon the numerous audience,
Word of God.   His mind had received who now     clearly perceived that the
some benefit in its early researches by the popish party were unable to maintain
teaching of the regent's two chaplains, their cause in argument  Nor were the
Guillaume and Rough; but the clear prelates unaware of their danger; and
doctrines, the heart-warm love, and the therefore they prepared to overwhelm by
heavenly piety of the martyr Wishart, force what they could not oppose successcompleted his conversion to the reformed fully from reason and Scripture. Havfaith.  About the beginning of April ing procured assistance from France,
1547, he entered the castle of St. An- they again besieged the castle, not only
drews, partly drawn by respect to those    Life of Knox,by Dr M'Crie, pp. 32, 33.




A. D. 1547]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     35
by land, but also by sea, by means of the unconnected.  After the taking of the
French galleys, which blockaded the castle of St. Andrews, and the banishharbour, thereby cutting off their sup- ment of its defenders, the popish party
plies from England. After a gallant re- continued their efforts for the suppression
sistance, the defenders were obliged to of the incipient Reformation; in which
capitulate, on the 31st day of July 1547, they promised themselves the more corn
making their terms with the French plete success that Knox was now no loncommander, and stipulating that their ger present to defend it. Adam Wallace,
lives and liberties should be preserved. who was tutor to the family of Ormiston,
These terms, however, were not kept; was accused of heresy, and burned on the
for immediately upon the return of the Castle Hill of Edinburgh.   Several
French fleet to France, the prisoners, in- gentlemen of property, accused of favourstead of being set at liberty, were con- ing the reforming party, were banished,
fined to the galleys as slaves.*      and their estates forfeited.  Councils of
The triumph of the popish party was the clergy were held at Linlithgow, and
great; but it was of brief duration.  The at Edinburgh, for devising measures,
Duke of Somerset, protector of England not only to extirpate heresy, but also to
in the minority of Edward VI., resenting reform such glaring abuses as excited
the perfidy of the regent and his counsel- public odium, hoping thereby to allay
lors, invaded Scotland at the head of a the general desire of further reformation.
powerful army, and inflicted on the Scot- Some of the regulations passed by these
tish forces a severe defeat at the battle of councils were good in themselves, but as
Pinkie.  This had little other affect than they were left to be carried into executhat of throwing the ruling party in Scot- tion by the very persons who were inland more completely into the arms of terested in the perpetuation of abuses,
France, and thereby hastening the de- they remained themselves generally incisive struggle. In a parliament held at operative. In the meantime, the reformStirling in 1548, it was resolved to send ing party were left without a leader.
the young Queen of Scotland to France, several of the nobility, and the inferior
first to be educated there, and then mar- barons of considerable influence, conried to the dauphin.                  tinued to favor the views of the reformers,
After hostilities had continued for some but contented themselves with retainingtime between Scotland and England, of their opinions, and waiting for a more
a harassing rather thdn of a destructive propitious juncture.  The zeal of the
character, a peace was concluded, in persecutors seemed also to abate.  They
which France also was embraced; and, flattered themselves that they had sucin consequence of the application of the ceeded in suppressing heresy in ScotEnglish ambassadors, John Knox was land; and they returned to their old emreleased from the galleys, and allowed ployment of engaging in political in-'o return to England.  He resided for trigues.
some time in that country; and while    There was at this time a double
there, refused the offer of the bishopric course of intriguing carried on; and, on
of Rochester, which he could not accept the one side, by a person who proved
because he regarded prelacy as without herself an adept in the art,-namely, the
the sanction  of scriptural authority. queen-mother.  It was her desire to obFrom England Knox proceeded to the tain the regency, and yet not to give
Continent; and, after being for some direct offence to the Earl of Arran.
time pastor of a Protestant church at She contrived therefore, to form a party
Frankfort, whence he withdrew on ac- against him among the nobility and gencount of the usurpation and intolerance try who were attached to the principles
of an English prelatic party, went to of the Reformation, to whom, secretly,
Geneva, where he remained till his re- she promised protection. At length Arturn to Scotland in the year 1555.    ran, feeling his influence departing, reBut during this interval some things signed the regency, which was given to
occurred which deserve to be mentioned, the queen-mother, Mary of Guise, on the
that the series of events may not be left 10th of April 1554. She thus reached
Knox, Historic, p. 77; Spo swood, p. 88.  the summit of her ambition; and had




36              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. II.
the state of torpor into which the Refor-  From  Calder House Knox went to
mation had been cast continued, she Ayrshire, accompanied by Campbell of
might, in all probability, have enjoyed Kinyeangh, and traversed that dis
her power for a considerable time, and trict, preaching wherever he had an opwith no little reputation; for she was portunity, to increasing, attentive, and
possessed of superior abilities, untroubled deeply impressed audiences.  The Earl
by conscientious scruples, and able to of Glencairn, who alone had opposed the
gild over her designs by plausible artifice martyrdom of Adam Wallace, gave the
and deep dissimulation.              full weight of his countenance and supBut the mind of Scotland was not al- port to the teaching of Knox. Conlowed to remain long in this state of tor- tinuing his reforming progress Knox
pidity.  The accession of Mary to the again visited Calder, the district of AnEnglish throne on the lamented death of gus and Mearns, and finally returned to
Edward VI. produced an     immediate Edinburgh.
change in religious matters throughout  [1556.] By this time the priesthood
the  island.  The   fierce persecution were thoroughly roused out of their vain
which arose in England drove several security; and, determining to stem the
of the English Protestants to Scotland, tide ere it should reach its flood, they
where they renewed the public preach- summoned Knox to appear in the Blacking, which had been for some time in a friars Church at Edinburgh, on the 15th
great measure suppressed. Of these the of May 1556. Knox at once determined
most distinguished were William Har- to comply with this summons, and conlow and John Willock, the latter of front his opponents; and with that intenwhom was afterwards colleague to John tion came to Edinburgh a little before the
Knox.                                day appointed, accompanied by Erskine
At length, in the end of harvest. in the of Dun, and several other gentlemen.
year 1555, John Knox himself returned But the clergy were not prepared to deal
to Scotland, and resumed his reforming summarily with this dauntless antagolabours, with double energy, zeal, and nist. They were not sure how far the
success.  From Edinburgh, where he queen-regent would support them, and
first recommenced his toils, he proceed- they deserted the diet, and allowed Knox
ed, along with the justly celebrated John to keep the field unchallenged.  He, on
Erskine of Dun, to Angus and Mearns, his part, did not let slip the opportunity:
where he preached in public for a month, he preached openly in Edinburgh, deeprekindling in that district the embers of ening the impression formerly made, and
the Reformation. His next position was increasing the alarm and confusion of his
at Calder House, where he resided for enemies. Some of the nobility, who were
some time as the friend and guest of Sir equally impressed and astonished with
James Sandilands, preceptor, or provin- the convincing power of his fervid elocial grand-master of the Knights of St. quence, persuaded him to write to the
John, who had been for some time at- queen-regent, hoping that, if she could
tached to the reformed faith, and was a be prevailed on to hear him, she too
person of distinguished talents, blameless might be converted to the reformed faith.
life, and great weight and dignity of But after glancing carelessly over his letcharacter. In his mansion Knox held ter, she handed it to the archbishop of
intercourse with Lord Erskine, subse- Glasgow, saying, in a tone of mockery,
quently Earl of Mar, and Regent; the " Please you, my Lord, to read a pasLord of Lorn, afterwards Earl of Argyle; quil."  So vanished the hope of her reand Lord James Stewart, an illegitimate formation.
son of James V., afterwards Earl of    While John Knox was thus strenuously
Murray, "the Good Regent."   By his engaged in promoting the Reformation,
intercourse with these noblemen, Knox in his native country, letters came from
was at that time framing the nucleus of his former flock in Geneva, earnestly
what subsequently grew into a power pressing him to return to his charge
capable not only of assuming an attitude among them. After revisiting those parts
of self-defence, but of wielding the king- of Scotland where he had previously
dom.                                 preached, and spending a few days at




A. D. 1557.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    37
Castle Campbell with the aged Earl of tard, (the primate of St. Andrews) that
Argyle, he departed for Geneva in July stands beside you. We avow to God,
1556. He was no sooner gone than the that ere we yield, we will make a day of
clergy renewed their summons; and up- it. These idle drones oppress us and our
on his failing to appear, he was con- tenants; they trouble our preachers, and
demned of heresy, and burned in effigy at would murder them and us. Shall we
the market-cross of Edinburgh,-an suffer this any longer? No, madam, it
achievement sufficiently showing the shall not be." And therewith every man
fangless malice of his enemies.     put on his steel bonnet. The queen-reAlthough John Knox had left Scot- gent had recourse to fair words, disaland, the reformed doctrines continued to vowed the proclamation, and discharged
be preached in different parts of the the citation of the preachers. Thus that
country.  John Douglas, a Carmelite storm blew past.*
friar, renouncing the errors of Popery,  A few days after this there was a lubecame chaplain to the aged Earl of Ar- dicrous tumult of the people, at a procesgyle; and when the archbishop of St. sion in honour of St. Giles, when the imAndrews endeavoured to persuade the age was thrown scornfully to the ground,
earl to dismiss his suspected chaplain, he drawn through the mi:; of the streets
positively refused, and continued to pro- its head beaten of, the body thrown into
tect him till his own decease. Willock, the North Loch, and then dragged out
about the same time, arrived from the and burned. These events so discourContinent; and Paul Methven began to aged the queen and the clergy, that they
preach the Protestant doctrines in Dun- thought it expedient to abandon their
dee, as did others in Angus and Mearns. persecuting schemes, and to endeavour to
The clergy perceiving that their own procure an accession of strength before
power was now insufficient -for the sup- they should again provoke the courage
pression of what they termed heresy, pre- of the Protestant gentry and the tumults
vailed on the queen-regent to summon of the people. This accession of strength
the preachers before the council of state, they expected to obtain by procuring an
and there to have them accused of stir- act of the Scottish parliament to confer
ring up sedition among the people,-a the crown-matrimonial of Scotland on
device to which persecutors have very Francis the Dauphin, and husband of
often since resorted, for the purpose of Mary; by which scheme there would be
at once accomplishing the object, and es- so close a union between France and
caping the odium of persecution. But Scotland, the king of the one country
this device was, in this instance, com- being also the king of the other, that
pletely frustrated. When the preachers French power would give the popish
came to Edinburgh, such numbers of clergy paramount influence in Scotland,
their friends came along with them, that and enable them to extirpate the Reforit was judged dangerous to proceed to mation by force.
extremities. A proclamation was, how-  [1557.] But while the queen-regent
ever, issued, ordering all who had come and the prelates were concocting this
to the town without having been com- deep scheme, the Scottish protestants bemanded, to repair immediately to the came anxious for the return of Knox
borders, and there remain fifteen days from Geneva. A letter was accordingly
under the banner of the lieutenant-gen- sent to him in March 1557. signed by the
eral. The Protestant gentlemen, pene- Earl of Glencairn, and Lords Erskine,
trating easily into the object of this pro- Lorn, and James Stewart, inviting him
clamation, assembled together, and, in- in their own name, and in that of their
stead of obeying it, proceeded to court, brethren, to return to Scotland, where he
and forced themselves with little cere- would find them all readyto receive him,
mony into the presence of the queen, and to jeopard their lives and fortunes in
then sitting in council with the bishops. the cause of true religion. Having consultChalmers of Gadgirth, a bold and zealous ed Calvin and his other friends at Geneva,
man, spoke in the name of all:-" Ma- and been by them advised to comply
dam, we know that this proclamation is with the request, Knox prepared to take
a device of the bishops, and of that bas-       Knox, Historie, p. 94.




33              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP II.
wha: he expected to be a final farewell of covenants, we shall present it to the reader
Geneva, and then proceeded on his jour- entire, merely modernizing the spelling.
ney through France to Dieppe. When     "We, perceiving how Satan, in his
he arrived at Dieppe, he received letters members the antichrists of our time, crufrom Scotland of a tenor so discoura- elly doth rage, seeking to downthrow
ging as to cause him to delay his farther and destroy the evangel of Christ and his
journey till he should receive additional congregation, ought, according to our
information as to the real state of matters bounden duty, to strive in our master's
in his native country. While at Dieppe cause, even unto the death, being certain
he wrote a letter to the nobility by whom  of the victory in him: the which, our
he had been invited, upbraiding them  duty being well considered, we do promsharply for their timidity and fickleness ise before the Majesty of God and his
of purpose. Being unwilling to abandon congregation, That we, by his grace,
the enterprise, he continued to reside at shall with all diligence continually apply
Dieppe for several months, expecting a our whole power, substance, and our very
more favourable answer from Scotland; lives, to maintain, set forward, and estaband employing his time in writing some lish the most blessed Word of God, and
very long and able letters of a public his congregation; and shall labour at our
character, in particular, one against the possibility to have faithful ministers,
erroneous tenets of the Anabaptists, and purely and truly to minister Christ's
another to the Scottish nobility on their evangel and sacraments to his people.
duties in general, and on the question of We shall maintain them, nourish them,
resistance to supreme rulers.  Not re- and defend them, the whole congregation
ceiving such answers, and so directly as of Christ, and every member thereof, at
he wished, he returned again to Geneva our whole powers, and wairing [expendin the beginning of the year 1558.  ing] of our lives against Satan and all
In the meantime matters were rapidly wicked power that does intend tyranny
maturing in Scotland. Notwithstanding and trouble against the foresaid congrethe discouraging letters which Knox had gation. Unto the which holy word and
received at Dieppe, the chief of the no- congregation we do join us; and also do
bility who invited him were still prepared renounce and forsake the congregation of
to.stand by their invitation; and, in fact, Satan, with all the superstitions, abomirenewed it, in a letter sent to Geneva by nations and idolatry thereof  And morea special messenger. And although the over shall declare ourselves manifestly
return of Knox was delayed, yet his let- enemies thereto, by this our faithful
ters from Dieppe seemed to have little promise before God, testified to his conless influence than his presence might gregation, by our subscription at these
have had. The lords and chief gentry, presents. At Edinburgh the 3d day of
devoted to the reforming interests, re- December 1557 years. God called to
solved to meet at Edinburgh, and, by a witness."*
general consultation, to determine what  This bond, or covenant, was subscribed
was now best for them to do. They by the Earls of Argyle, Glencairn, and
came to the noble resolution that they Morton, Archibald, lord of Lorn, John
would persevere in.their defence of the Erskine of Dun, and a great number of
reformed religion; and, that they might other distinguished men among the lesser
have the confidence and strength of con- barons and influential country gentlefirmed union, they resolved to frame a men. From the repeated recurrence of
common bond or covenant, engaging the word congregation in this document,
them to mutual support in defence of each the chief subscribers were after this called
other and of the gospel.* This very re- Lords of the Congregation; and the peomarkable document, which has been com- pie who adhered to them were called the
monly called The FIRST COVENANT was Congregation.
subscribed at Edinburgh, on the 3d of  Though they had thus both ascerDecember 1557; and on account of its tained and confirmed their strength, the
great importance, both in its own time, Lords of the Congregation were desirous
and as setting the example of similar to act in the most temperate manner, and' The First Covenant, 3d December 1557.' Knox, Historie, p. 101.




A. D. 1558.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    39
not to provoke an actual conflict, unless April 1558, Mill expired amidst the
it could not possibly be avoided.  They flames, uttering these words, " As for me,
resolved, therefore, to rest satisfied with I am fourscore and two years old, and
requesting the queen-regent to cause all cannot live long by course of nature
country curates and pastors to perform  but a hundred better shall rise out of the
the services of religion in the English ashes of my bones. I trust in God, I
language; consenting that the reformed shall be the last that shall suffer death in
preachers should teach in private houses Scotland for this cause."*
only, till permission should be obtained  This barbarous deed stirred the heart
for them to preach in public. This peti- of the reforming party in Scotland, like
tion was presented to the queen-regent by the sound of a trumpet.  The people of
Sir James Sandilands. To this she re- St. Andrews raised a great pile of stones
turned a plausible answer, promising to on the spot where he was burned, to
grant the prayer of the petition as far as commemorate  his martyrdom.  The
might be practicable, and, in the mean- Lords of the Congregation complained
time, granting protection to the Protes- to the queen-regent against the unpartant preachers till some uniform arrange- alleled barbarity of the bishops. And
ment might be established by parliament, the Protestant preachers availing themprovided there should be no public meet- selves of the ferment throughout the
ings held in Edinburgh and Leith. In kingdom, broke through the restraints to
consequence of this interim arrangement, which they had submitted for the sake of
the chief Protestant preachers were re- peace, and began to preach with increased
ceived into the houses of the Lords of the fervour and publicity. But the measures
Congregation, and restricted their teach- of the queen-regent were not yet matured,
ing in a great measure to the households and therefore she renewed her deep diswhere they resided.                  simulation.
[1558.] The popish-clergy being now  She declared to the Protestant lords
unable to wreak their vengeance on the that she was not guilty of the death
chief Protestant preachers, determined to of Walter Mill, who, being a priest, beshow no mercy to any whom they could longed properly to the jurisdiction of the
get within their power.  There was an Church. She engaged to do every thing
aged priest, named Walter Mill, who in her power to procure redress in a
had been accused of heresy in the days legal form from parliament; and sucof Cardinal Beaton, but had contrived to ceeded in deceiving the Lords of the Conescape at that time from his murderous gregation, whom she could not venture
hands. Mill had continued to live in openly to offend till she had procured
comparative  concealment, for several their aid in accomplishing her own deep
years, occasionally preaching in public, scheme.
but more commonly in private, in differ-  In the parliament which met in Octoent quarters of the kingdom.   Being her 1558, she contrived to balance the
lately discovered by one of the arch- bishops, the party headed by Arran, and
bishop's spies, he was seized and brought the Lords of the Congregation, against
to trial at St. Andrews.  The venerable each other, in such a manner as to proman, bowed down with the weight of cure the consent of all that the crown
years, for he was upwards of four-score, matrimonial should be given to Francis,
defended himself on the day of his trial who would thereby be king of both
with great spirit and ability.  He was, France and Scotland. In the same parnevertheless, condemned to be burned at liament, previous to the completion of this
the stake; but so great was the compas- arrangement, the Lords of the Congregasion felt for him, and such the horror tion were prepared to present a petition
awakened by this barbarous outrage of seeking the redress of the grievances in
all that man holds sacred in the hoary religious matters of which they had prehead of drooping human nature, that no viously complained  but the wily regent
person could be got to aid in the execu- contrived to induce them  to withhold
tion of the sentence, till the archbishop it for the present, and to content themcommanded one of his own domestics to selves with publicly reading such a properpetrate the crime. On the 28th of        Knox, p. 122; Spotswood, pp. 95-97.




40              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. II.
test as should completely reserve their tred of the bishops, and promote the reright to have the subject re-introduced formation of religion.*
when another opportunity should occur.  Having now accomplished her purTo the protest the queen-regent answered pose, the queen-regent prepared to throw
verbally, that she would remember what aside the mask which she had so long
was protested, and put order afterwards worn. Accordingly, in the end of Deto all that was in controversy. With this cember'558, with her concurrence, the
promise the Protestant lords were satis- preachers of the reformed doctrines were
fied, and their suspicions lulled asleep. summoned to appear at St. Andrews, beBut having now gained her object in se- fore the archbishop, on the 2d day of
curing the crown-matrimonial to the Dau- February following, to answer for their
phin of France, she gave private assur- conduct in usurping the sacred office,
ance of support to the archbishop of St. and disseminating heretical doctrines.
Andrews, and consulted with him how  Upon this, a deputation of the Protest
most thoroughly and speedily to suppress ants waited on the queen-regent, and enthe Reformation.                     deavoured to dissuade her from permitDr. Robertson* has stated very clearly ting the adoption of such violent measand convincingly the deep and daring ures; declaring, that after what had rescheme of the princes of the house of cently taken place in the instance of the
Lorraine, brothers of the queen-regent martyr Mill, they were determined to atof Scotland, with which that able and tend and see justice done to their preachunscrupulous princess was fully ac- ers, and that, if the prosecution went on,
quainted, and which formed in truth the there would be such a number present to
leading principle of all her own political witness it as had been rarely seen in
machinations. It was to the following Scotland. This declaration so far alarmed
effect: The formation of a league be- the regent, that she caused the trial to be
tween France and Spain for the utter de- postponed; at the same time summoning
struction of the Reformation throughout a convention of the nobility, to be held
Europe; and as England was the most at Edinburgh on the 7th of March, 1559,
powerful Protestant kingdom, and Eliz- to advise upon the most proper measures
abeth was now its sovereign, it was ne- for settling the religious differences by
cessary that she should be dethroned, which the nation had been so long agiand the crown bestowed on a popish tated; and, that these matters might be
monarch. As Mary, the young queen fully discussed, the primate, at her reof Scotland, was the nearest heir to the quest called a provincial council of the
English crown, it was thought that the clergy, to meet in the same place on the
best method of accomplishing their design 1st of March.
would be, by suppressing the Reforma-  [1559.] The convention of nobility
tion in Scotland, establishing the French and council of clergy met at the time apand popish influence in that country, and pointed, and the Protestants having also
through it assailing Elizabeth.  It was assembled at Edinburgh, appointed comessential to the complete arrangement of missioners to lay their representations
this gigantic scheme that the crown-mat- before each of these bodies.  To the
rimonial of Scotland should be secured to council of clergy they gave in certain
the Dauphin of France, Mary's husband; preliminary articles of reformation, in
and for this reason did the queen-regent which they craved that the religious seremploy all her artifice to blind and cajole vice should be performed in the native
the Lords of the Congregation, and to tongue; that such as were unfit for the
induce them to consent to recognise pastoral office should be removed from
Francis and Mary as king and queen of their benefices; that, in future, bishops
Scotland, distinctly promising that she should be admitted with the assent of the
would then, supported by the authority barons of the diocese, and parish priests
of the kingly name, make such arrange- with the assent of the parishioners; and
ments as should protect their preachers that measures should be adopted for preand themselves from the malice and ha* Knc x, IHistorie, p. 110; Spotswood, p. 120; M'Crie's
*  obertson's History of Scotland.  Life of Knox.




A. D. 1559]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   41
venting immoral and ignorant persons were summoned to stand trial before the
from being employed in ecclesiastical Justiciary Court at Stirling, on the 10th
functions, It deserves to be noticed, that of May 1550, for disregarding the prothere was another paper laid before the clamation, teaching heresy, and exciting
council, drawn up by persons attached to seditions and tumults among the people.
the Romish Church, also " craving re-  Being reluctant to proceed to extremidress for several grievances complained ties, the Protestants sent the Earl of
of in the ecclesiastical administration of Glencairn and Sir Hugh Campbell of
Scotland."  This latter paper, indicating London to wait on the queen, and rethe existence of a reforming party within monstrate against these violent proceedthe Romish Church itself, gave serious ings; but she haughtily replied, that
alarm to the council, and increased their " maugre [in spite of] their hearts, and
determination to adopt strong and deci- all that would take part with them,
sive measures at once. They accord- these ministers should be banished Scotingly ratified, in the strongest terms, all land, though they preached as soundly
the controverted doctrines; ordered strict as ever St. Paul (id."  The deputation
inquiry to be made after all such as ab- reminded her of the promises she had
sented themselves from the celebration of repeatedly made to protect them, to
mass; and threatened with excommuni- which she unblushingly replied, that " it
cation all who should disseminate or ad- became not subjects to burden their
here to the doctrine of the Reformation. princes with promises, farther than they
A secret treaty, it appears, had been pleased to keep them."  Roused, rather
framed between the clergy and the queen- than intimidated, by this language, they
regent, in which they engaged to raise a answered, that if she violated the enlarge sum of money to enable her to gagements she had come under to her
levy and maintain forces wherewith to subjects, they would regard themselves as
overthrow and suppress the reformers.  absolved from their allegiance to her.
The Protestant party becoming aware This bold and resolute answer caused
of this secret treaty, and perceiving the her to pause and resume her tone of
turn that matters were now taking, broke simulated mildness, and at length she
off the negociations in which they had promised to suspend the trial of the
been  engaged, and left Edinburgh. preachers, and take the whole affair into
They were no sooner gone than a pro- serious consideration.
-lamation was made at the market-cross  That very night, according to Spotsby order of the queen-regent, " prohibit- wood, after the departure of the deputaing any person from preaching or ad- tion, the queen received information that
ministering the sacraments without au- the town of Perth had embraced the rethority from the bishops; and command- formed doctrines. Enraged to find all
ing all the subjects to prepare to cele- matters going so contrary to her wishes,
brate the ensuing feast of Easter, ac- she sent for Lord Ruthven, provost of
cording to the rules of the Catholic that town, and commanded him to go imChurch."  This proclamation the Pro- mediately to suppress these innovations.
testants regarded as equivalent to a de- To this he answered, that " he could
claration of direct hostility against them  make their persons and their goods suband their religious belief; and perceived ject to her, but had no power over their
that they must either now take their minds and consciences."  She furiously
stand, or prepare to abandon all that they exclaimed, that " he was too ma'apert to
held most sacred. They did not hesitate, give her such an answer, and she would
but disregarded the proclamation, neg- make both him and them repent it." In
lecting the superstitious and idolatrous the same spirit of revenge, she broke
rites of Popery, and worshipping God the promise she had given to Glenaccording to the directions contained in cairn and Loudon, ordered the processes
His own Word, and the light of con- against the preachers to go on, and sumscience. The queen-regent had now ad- moned them peremptorily to stand their
vanced too far to retract; and accord- trial at Stirling on the appointed day.
ingly, Paul Methven, John Christison,  Affairs now swept rapidly forward to
William  Harlaw, and John Willock   the crisis that had been long inevitable.
6




42              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II
The Protestant nobility and gentlemen of the 3d of May, they had again met
determined to accompany their preachers and resumed their deliberations. While
to Stirling on the day appointed.  The they were thus engaged, on a sudden one
townsmen of Dundee, and those of Mon- of the fraternity entered the monastery,
trose, together with the chief inhabitants and rushed into the presence of the counof Angus and Mearns, assembled at cil, breathless with haste, and pale with
Perth; but before proceeding to Stirling, terror, exclaiming in broken wordsit was judged expedient to send Erskine  John Knox! John Knox is come! he
of Dun before them, to assure the queen is come! he slept last night in Edinof their peaceful dispositions, and that burgh!"  The council was panic-struck.
their only object was to join with their In dumb dismay they contemplated the
preachers in making a public confession ruin of all the plans which they had
of their faith, and to aid them in their given their gold and stained their souls
just defence. The wily queen again re- with guilt to fabricate. At once stunned
sorted to dissimulation; and succeeded in ard terrified, they ceased to deliberate,
persuading Erskine to remain at Stirling, broke up the council, and dispersed in
and to write to the assembled Protestants great haste and confusion.
at Perth, requesting them to return to  A messenger was instantly sent to the
their houses, and promising that the trial queen-regent with the unwelcome inforshould not proceed against the ministers. mation; and within a few days Knox
Some, confiding in the queen-regent's was proclaimed an outlaw and a rebel,
promise, did return to their homes; but in virtue of the sentence formerly proa considerable number, remembering her nounced against him by the clergy. He
previous acts of treachery, remained at staid but one day in Edinburgh; and bePerth, till they should see the issue. At ing resolved to cast himself at once into
this very important juncture the Protest- the heart of the conflict, and to share the
ant party received an accession of strength dangers of his brethren, he hurried to
in the opportune arrival of John Knox Dundee, and joined those who were prein Scotland.                          paring to proceed to the trial at Stirling.
It has been already stated that he had With them he hastened to Perth, where
returned to Geneva, after the discourag- the main adherents of the Reformation
ing letters which he received at Dieppe. were by this time assembled, waiting the
But when. he received a fresh invitation result of the negotiations between the
fiom the Lords of the Congregation, and queen-regent and Erskine of Dun, of
farther learned in what extremities his which mention has been already made.
Scottish reforming brethren were placed,  The queen, as already stated, had
he at once determined to hasten to his promised, to Erskine that the trial of the
native country, and devote his life to the preachers should be postponed; but when
great and sacred cause of the Scottish the day of trial came, they were sumReformation. He was refused permis- moned, and, not appearing, they were
sion to journey through England; but outlawed, and all persons were prohibtaking shipping at Dieppe, he sailed to ited, " under pain of rebellion,' to assist,
Leith, where he landed the 2d of May comfort, receive, or maintain them in any
1559.                                sort."  At the same time, the gentlemen
Nothing can more strikingly prove who had given security for their appearthe importance of this timely arrival of ance were fined. Indignant at this act
the gre, t Scottish reformer, than the con- of gross deceit and injury, and apprehensterna'.on it excited in the hearts of his sive of personal danger, Erskine conantagmnists.  The day for the trial of the trived to escape fiom Stirling unobserved,
preachers was close at hand, and their and hastened to Perth with the intellienemies were busily engaged in com- gence of what had taken place. An
pleting their treacherous plots against event immediately followed the return of
the lives of those devoted men. For se- Erskine to Perth, which has often been
veral days the provincial council of the grievously misrepresented, to the prejuclergy had been sitting in the monastery dice of the reformers, very unjustly, by
of the Grayfriars; and on the morning the favourers of Prelacy; and as Dr.




A. D. 1559.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    43
M'Crie has given a very full account of against the Protestants.  She did not
it in his Life of Knox, we extract the fail to improve it with her usual address.
passage.                             She magnified the accidental tumult into
"It happened that, onthe same day on a dangerous and designed rebellion.
which the news came of the queen's Having called the nobility to Stirling,
treacherous conduct at Stirling, Knox, she, in her interviews with them, insisted
who remained at Perth, preached a ser- upon such topics as were best calculated
inon, in which he exposed the idolatry of to persuade the parties into which they
the mass and of image-worship. The were divided. In conversing with the
audience had quietly dismissed, and a Catholics, she dwelt upon the sacrilegious
few idle persons only loitered in the overthrow of those venerable structures
church, when an imprudent priest, wish- which their ancestors had dedicated to
ing to try the disposition of the people, or the service of God. To the Protestants
to show his contempt of the doctrine who had not joined their brethren at
which had just been delivered, uncovered Perth, she complained of the destruction
a rich altar-piece, decorated with images, of the charter-house, which was a royal
and prepared to celebrate mass. A boy, foundation; and, protesting that she had
having uttered some expressions of disap- no intention of offering violence to their
probation, was struck by the priest. He consciences, promised to protect them,
retaliated by throwing a stone at the provided they would assist her in punaggressor, which, falling on the altar- ishing those who had been guilty of this
piece, broke one of the images. This violation of public order.  Having inoperated as a signal upon the people flamed the minds of both parties, she colpresent, who had sympathised with the lected an army from the adjacent counboy; and in course of a few minutes, the tries, and advanced to Perth, threatening
altar, images, and all the ornaments of the to lay waste the town with fire and sword,
church, were torn down and trampled and to inflict the most exemplary venunder foot.  The noise soon collected a geance on all who had been instrumental
mob, which, finding no employment in in producing the riot."*
the church, flew, by a sudden and irre-  A considerable body of French troops
sistible impulse, upon the monasteries; strengthened the queen's army, and inand although the magistrates ofthetown creased the danger of the Protestants,
and the preachers assembled as soon as who were also weakened by the retreat
they heard of the riot, yet neither the per- of many of their own party, confiding
suasions of the one, nor the authority of in the previous pacific declarations of the
the other, could restrain the fury of the queen. But messengers had been sent
people, until the houses of the gray and by the reformers from Perth, requesting
black friars, with the costly edifice ofthe their friends to come to their defence
Carthusian monks, were laid in ruins. with all possible expedition; and so readNone of the gentlemen or sober part of ily were these entreaties responded to,
the congregation were concerned in this that before the queen's army had reached
unpremeditated tumult; it was wholly Perth, the reformers were enabled to asconfined to the lowest of the inhabitants, sume an attitude of self-defence suffior, as Knox designs them,'the rascal ciently imposing to cause the queen to
multitude.' If this disorderly conduct propose overtures of accommodation.
must be traced to a remote cause, we can The promptitude of the Earl of Glenimpute it only to the wanton and dishon- cairn, on this.emergency, deserves parourable perfidy of the queen-regent.  ticular mention. In an almost incredible
"In fact, nothing could be more fa- short space of time, he assembled about
vourable to the designs of the regent than two thousand five hundred men, and
this riot. By her recent conduct she had marched from Ayrshire to Perth, bringforfeited the confidence of the Protes- ing this large reinforcement to his brethtants, and even exposed herself in the ren there, while they were treating with
eyes of the -sober and moderate of her the queen-regent.
own party.   This occurrence afforded  The queen employed the Earl of Arher an opportunity of turning the public gyle and Lord James Stewart to treat
indignation from herself, and directing it  M'Crie's Life of Knox, pp, 159, 160.




44              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. II.
with the Lords of the Congregation at blemen feeling their own honour impli.
Perth; and an agreement was entered cated, forsook her, and went to the Coninto, in which it was stipulated, that the gregation, resolving never again to place
town should be left open to the queen; any confidence in her promises.
that none of the inhabitants should be  The Lords of the Congregation now
called in question for what had taken resolved to temporize and negotiate no
place; that the French should not enter longer, but to take immediate steps for
the town; and that, when the queen re- abolishing the idolatrous and superstitious
tired, there should be no garrison left in rites of Popery, and setting up the reit. To these terms the reformers agreed; formed worship in all places to which
at the same time stating, that they did not their authority or influence extended.
expect the queen to keep faith with them  And as Lord James Stewart was prior
any longer than till she obtained the of St. Andrews, and had now cordially
power to break it with safety to herself; and entirely joined with the reformers,
and Argyle and Stewart, declaring that he gave an authoritative invitation to
if she should violate the treaty, they John Knox, to meet him in that city on
would leave her, and openly take part a certain day, and to preach publicly in
with their brethren, to whom they con- the Abbey Church. Knox, who had
sidered themselves bound by the most been preaching in several places along
sacred ties. Before quitting Perth, the the east coast of Fife, hastened to comLords of the Congregation framed and ply with this invitation, and on the 9th
subscribed another bond pledging them  of June arrived at St. Andrews. The
to mutual support and defence in the archbishop, hearing of this design to
cause of religion, or any cause dependent storm Popery in its stronghold, hastily
thereupon, by whatsoever pretext it might collected an armed force, and having at
be coloured and concealed.  This has their head hurried to St. Andrews, sent
been generally called THE SECOND COVE- information to Knox, that if he appeared
NANT. It was subscribed in the name of in the pulpit, he would give orders to fire
the whole Congregation, by the Earls of upon him.
Argyle and Glencairn, Lord James Stew-  The juncture was one of an extremely
art, the Lords Boyd and Ochiltree, and critical nature. The Lords of the ConMatthew Campbell of Terringland, on gregation were but slenderly accompathe 31st of May 1559.*               nied; the disposition of the townsmen
A  very short time was sufficient to was in a great measure uncertain; and
prove how much reason the Protestants the queen-regent had advanced to Falkhad to distrust the most solemn promises land, about twelve miles distant, at the
of the queen-regent.  No sooner had she head of a considerable army, consisting
obtained complete possession of the town chiefly of the French troops, who were
of Perth than she began to violate her thoroughly devoted to her interests, and
engagement, treating the inhabitants with as thoroughly hostile to the Reformation.
the greatest violence, changing their Argyle and Lord James Stewart were
magistrates forcibly, and  substituting alarmed at the dangerous aspect of affairs
creatures of her own, exacting oppressive and yet reluctant to abandon their intenfines from some, and conniving at the tion. They felt that to be baffled at the
murder of others who had been friendly very outset of their great enterprise would
to the reformers, and, upon her depart- be a severe if not a fatal discouragement;
ure, leaving a garrison in the town, con- and yet they were unwilling to put the
trary to the express stipulations of the life of Knox, as well as their own lives,
treaty. Argyle and Lord James Stewart in such imminent peril. In this perplexremonstrated strongly against such con- ity they sent for Knox himself, to have
duct, and were answered, that " she was his own judgment in this emergency.
not bound to keep promises made to her- That judgment was one becoming him
etics; and that she would make little "who never feared the face of man."
conscience to take from all that sect their Reminding them that he had been first
lives and inheritance, if she might do it called to preach the gospel in that very
with so honest an excuse."t  These no- town,-reft from it by the tyranny of
Knox, p. 138.  tKnox, p. 130; Spotswocd, p. 133. France, at the procurement of the




A. D. 1559.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     45
bishops,-that now the opportunity was again appalled the queen; and dreading
presented to him, for which he had long- a disastrous defeat, should she risk a bated, and prayed, and hoped,-he entreated tie, she proposed a suspension of -hostilithem not to hinder him from once more ties. The Protestant lords had now repreaching in St. Andrews. " As for the ceived too many proofs of her duplicity
fear of danger that may come to me, let to be again circumvented by mere prono man be solicitous; for my life is in mises.  They, therefore, stipulated that
the custody of Him whose glory I seek. the French troops should be removed out
I desire the hand and weapon of no man of Fifeshire; and that commissioners
to defend me. I only crave audience; should, within ten days, be sent to St.
which, if it be denied here unto me at Andrews, for the purpose of settling all
this time, I must seek farther where I differences between her and the Congremay have it."                        gation. The troops were removed; but
The dauntless courage of the great re- no commissioners were sent. The Lords
former communicated itself to the lords, of the Congregation determined, thereLike him, they ceased tothink of danger, fore, to adopt more decisive measures,
when the call was that of sacred duty; and to redress by their own efforts those
and next day, the 16th of June, Knox ap- grievances which they could not get
peared in the pulpit, and preached to a otherwise remedied.
numerous audience, including the arch-  Mustering once more their strength,
bishop, many of the inferior clergy, and they advanced to Perth, and expelled the
the scowling bands of armed retainers garrison left there by the queen. Thence
prepared for the assassination of the fear- by a rapid movement they proceeded to
less preacher.  But the hand of God was Stirling, seized upon it, and continuing
with him, restraining the fury of the ad- their march, took possession of Edinversary, and moulding anew the melted burgh itself; the queen-regent, as they
hearts of the people. The subject of his approached, retiring with her forces to
discourse was, our Saviour's ejecting the Dunbar.  In the meantime the dread of
profane traffickers from the temple of the direct and immediate vengeance of
Jerusalem; which he applied to the duty the popish clergy being removed, the
incumbent on all Christians, according rest of the kingdom quickly followed the
to their different stations, to remove the example of Perth and St. Andrews, in
corruptions of the Papacy, and purify the abolishing the popish worship; and in
Church.   On the three following days the course of a few weeks, "at Crail, at
he preached in the same place, and on Cupar, at Lindors, at Stirling, at Linlithsimilar subjects; and such was the effect gow, at Edinburgh, and at Glasgow, the
of his doctrine, that the magistracy and houses of the monks were overthrown,
the inhabitants agreed to set up the re- and all the instruments of idolatry.desformed worship in the town; and imme- troyed."*
diately stripped the church of images and  On their arrival at Edinburgh the
pictures, and demolished the monasteries. Lords of the Congregation sent deputies
The archbishop of St. Andrews hast- to Dunbar, to assure the queen that they
ened to the queen-regent with this dire had no intention of throwing off their alinformation.  Being  apprised, at the legiance, and to induce her to accede to
same time, that the lords at St. Andrews reasonable terms  of accommodation.
were accompanied by a small retinue, One preliminary point was agreed upon,
she resolved to surprise them before their -that the sentence of outlawry against
friends could come to their support, and the ministers should be rescinded, and
gave orders to prepare to march on Cu- that they should be allowed to preach
par. But the Protestants in the adjacent publicly to those who chose to hear
counties, being aware of the danger of them. Knox was chosen by the people
their friends, hastened to their aid with of Edinburgh to be their minister, on the
such celerity, and in such numbers, that 7th of July, and immediately began his
they were able to anticipate the queen's labours among them. But the wiles of
movements, and take up a position con- the queen were not yet exhausted. She
fronting her army on Cupar-moor.  The prolonged the negotiations till she learned
resolute aspect of the Protestant army      - M'Crie's Life of Knox, p. 165.




46              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP II.
that the greater part of the Protestant put inpractice all her diplomatic arts to
forces had returned to their homes, and detach the Hamiltons from the Congrethen advanced suddenly with her army gation, if possible, or to sow jealousy and
to Edinburgh. Leith having declared cause dissension among them. Failing
for the regent, and the castle of Edin- in these endeavours, she issued declarahurgh being under the command of tions to the public, in which she strove
Lord Erskine, who was unfavourable to to fix the charge of rebellion upon the
the Protestants, they felt that they could Congregation generally, and, in particunot defend the town, and agreed to lar, accused Lord James Stewart and the
evacuate it, on condition that the inhabi- Duke of Chatelherault of aiming severaltants should be left at liberty to use that ly at the crown.  These insidious deform of worship which they should pre- clarations were met by counter-declarafer. The lords then retired to Stirling, tions, in which the accused parties vinditaking with them John Knox, and leav- cated themselves from these charges, and
ing Willock in his place, who continued exposed the course of treachery and
to preach in St. Giles' Church after the cruelty by which her conduct had been
arrival of the regent.               all along characterised. This war of
The King of France dying about this diplomacy, however, was not likely to
time was succeeded by Mary's husband, lead to any satisfactory result; and the
and thus the crowns of France and Scot- Protestant lords began to prepare for
land seemed to be united, and the deep more decisive measures.  They asscheme of the princes of Lorraine on the sembled in Edinburgh on the 21st of
point of being realized. Letters were October 1559, in such numbers as to
sent by the new king and queen to Lord form a convention of the estates of the
James Stewart, for the purpose of detach- kingdom, and entered upon a formal deing him, if possible, from the Protestant liberation what ought to be done to resparty; but he'remained firm to his faith cue the country from such a state of
and covenant engagement. At the same civil dissension, and especially' from the
time, an additional supply of money and lawless  outrages  committed  by  the
troops were sent from  France to the French troops in the queen-regent's
queen-regent to enable her to crush and army.
exterminate the Reformation in Scotland.  In this convention of estates both Knox
The hopes of the regent began to revive; and Willock were requested to state their
and she commenced fortifying Leith, sentiments respecting the duty of subjects
both as commanding strength in an im- to their rulers in cases of oppression.
portant position, and a port through Willock held that the power of rulers
which she might readily at all times re- was limited both by reason and by Scripceiv, supplies from France into the very ture, and that they might be deprived of
heart of the country. But though these it upon valid grounds; implying that he
matters were favourable to the queen-re- thought the conduct of the queen-regent
gent, there were others of a counter- had passed these limits, and given to her
balancing character. The Earl of Ar- subjects these valid grounds. Knox asran, son to the former regent, the Duke sented to Willock's opinions, and added,
of Chatelherault, returned at this time that the assembly might, with safe confrom France, having narrowly escaped sciences, act upon it, provided they atimprisonment on account of having ex- tended to the three following points:pressed himself favourable to the Protes- " First, that they did not suffer the mistant doctrines.  After having held an conduct of the queen-regent to alienate
interview with the Protestant lords at their affections from their due allegiance
Stirling, this young nobleman went to to their sovereigns, Francis and Mary;
Hamilton to his father, and succeeded in second, that they were not actuated in
prevailing on him to quit the party of the measure by private hatred or envy
the queen-regent, and join the Lords of of the queen-dowager, but by regard for
the Congregation.                   the safety of the commonwealth; and,
The accession of the Hamiltons to the third, that any sentence which they might
Protestant party gave a new turn to af- at this time pronounce should not prefairs.  The queen-regent immediately elude her readmission to office, if she




A. D. 1559.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   47
afterwards discovered sorrow  for her in M'Crie's Life of Knox, where the
conduct, and a disposition to submit to principles of civil and religious liberty
the advice of the estates of the realm. are explained and defended with great
After this, the whole assembly, having eloquence of language and power of
severally delivered their opinions, did, by reasoning.*
a solemn deed, suspend the queen-dowa-  This act, suspending the commission
ger from her authority as regent of the of the queen-regent, was proclaimed in all
kingdom, until the meeting of a free par- the chief towns throughout the kingdom,
liament; and, at the same time, elected a and intimated formally to the regent hercouncil for the management of public self, summoning her at the same time to
affairs during this interval.        dismiss the French troops from Leith,
The conduct of Knox and Willock, in and yield the town. To this declaration
giving their opinions on this very import- and summons, an answer, charging the
ant matter, has been very often and very Protestants with rebellion, and uttering, a
severely censured. But those who have bold defiance of their power, was redone so have in general displayed either turned; and hostilities immediately bean anxious desire to avail themselves of gan. But the success of the Protestant
any opportunity of blackening the char- lords and their army was not equal to
acter and aspersing the motives of the their hopes and the goodness of their
Scottish reformer, or so little acquaintance cause. There arose, in fact, a division
with the great principles of civil and re- among them, of a kind to which such
ligious liberty, as to render their opinion enterprises as they were engaged in must
of very slight value. Genuine Chris- always be exposed. The very essence
tianity, instead of impairing the worth of the contest was of a strictly religious
of man's natural and civil rights and character, and had been begun by men
privileges, gives to them  an infinitely whose sole object it was to rescue the
increased importance, as the rights and pure and undefiled Christianity of the
privileges of the freemen of the Lord; Bible from the gross corruptions of Porendering it absolutely impossible for a pery. But. many had now joined the
true Christian either to enslave others or early reformers from a variety of motives,
to submit to be himself enslaved. And apart from those of religion; and even
let it be ever most gratefully remembered, those in whom religious motives predomthat to the Reformation we-owe that true inated still retained so great an admixcivilization which not only strikes off the ture of selfish and worldly policy, as to
fetters from the body, but cultivates also embarrass extremely the conduct of those
the mind,-which not only liberates men with whom they professed to act.  A
from civil, mental, and moral thraldom, double policy must always be an unsafe
but also, at the same time, elevating them  one.  And, perhaps, there is nothing
in the scale of existence, renders them  which has ever done more evil to man
worthy to be free. The mind of Knox than the debasing intermixture of worldly
was too deeply imbued with these great motives in matters of a purely religious
principles, and his heart too fearless, for and sacred character. But on this subject
him to hesitate in giving a frank avowal we shall not further dwell at present, as
of his sentiments, be the danger and the it will repeatedly meet us hereafter, and
obloquy thereby to be encountered what in circumstances fitted to display its nathey might; and yet, let it be observed, ture and bearing more clearly.
that while he vindicated the right of sub-  The accession of the Hamiltons and
jects to protect themselves against unlaw- their adherents appeared to strengthen
ful despotism, both in this and in other the Protestants very much; yet the diviinstances, he carefully guarded against sions which almost immediately sprung
the opposite extreme, of encouraging sub- up proved more detrimental to their cause
jects wantonly to violate the allegiance than their increase of numbers was benedue to their sovereigns. But instead of ficial. And as the Duke of Chatelh.efarther attempting to vindicate Knox from  rault, being the man of greatest rank
the aspersions cast upon him by writers among them, was placed nominally at
of a servile character, let us direct the at- their head, his timid and vacillating
tention of the reader to a noble passage' M'Crie's Life of Knox. pp. 13-192.




48              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II1
character diffused its contagion among sistance of the Congregation. A short
them, and rendered their councils unde- time before the Protestants retired from
cided and their conduct irresolute. They Edinburgh, they were joined by Wilfailed in some encounters with the liam Maitland of Lethington, one of the
French; and fresh supplies arriving at ablest statesmen of his time, who had
Leith, they became so discouraged as to previously been secretary to the queenabandon the siege, and retreat to Stirling, regent.  Upon his arrival, Knox, who
in a state of great dejection.  They were had no relish for the intrigues of mere
also deficient in money to pay and sup- politicians, immediately relinquished the
port their forces, many of whom were of direct management of all diplomatic mata mercenary character, regarding little ters to Lethington, expressing great satison which side they fought, provided they faction at being relieved from duties so
obtained pay, and were occasionally gra- uncongenial to his mind. Lethington was
tified with pillage. Upon the retreat of sent to England to endeavour to procure
the Lords of the Congregation,the French assistance; and it was finally resolved
issued from  Leith, took possession of that an English force should be sent to
Edinburgh, with the exception of the Scotland to co-operate with the Protestcastle, which Lord Erskine continued to ant lords in expelling the French troops
hold in a kind of armed neutrality, ad- out of the kingdom. A contract to that
vanced to Stirling, pillaging the country effect was concluded at Berwick, between
as they went, and crossed into Fifeshire, the Duke of Norfolk and the Scottish
skirting the coast, and continuing their commissioners, on the 27th of February
ravages as they proceeded towards St. 1560.*
Andrews.*                              [1560.] The war now assumed a more
In this extremity the Protestants found determined aspect. The French troops,
it necessary to apply more pressingly to being aware of the approach of the EngQueen Elizabeth for aid from England. lish, returned to Leith, and prepared to
This had indeed been done some months defend it to the last extremities.  Before
before, when they became convincedthat the arrival of the English' forces, the
hostilities must ensue; and the inter- queen-regent was allowed by Lord Ercourse with England had been conducted skine to enter into Ed-inburgh castle;
chiefly by Knox and Henry Balnaves of thus withdrawing herself from being perHallhill, on the Scottish side, and Cecil sonally exposed to the dangers and horon the English. Knox apprized Cecil rors of a war which she herself had
of the great popish league, devised by caused. Several sharp encounters took
the princes of Lorraine, for the suppres- place between the besiegers and the besion of the Reformation throughout Eu- sieged; but as the English fleet had the
rope, to which the dethronement of Eliz- command of the sea, no supplies could
abeth was essential; and suggested a be transmitted from France to the garrigreat counter-league of Protestant pow- son of Leith, which was daily becoming
ers, of which Elizabeth should be the weaker.  The French court employed
head. Cecil could appreciate the scheme; every art of policy to induce Elizabeth to
but it was not so easy to induce Eliza- abandon the support of the Protestant
beth to engage in it, requiring, as it ne- lords, and almost succeeded. But being
cessarily did, great and immediate sacri- at length convinced that England's own
fices and exertions for a remote, and security and best interests were involved
what might appear a contingent, good. in the support of Scotland, she gave
Assistance in money was sent, but with orders to prosecute the siege with the
a sparing hand; and part of it was in- utmost vigour.  The resolution of Elizatercepted, and fell into the possession of beth convinced the Court of France that
the queen-regent. But now, when the it was in vain to prolong the contest. A
Protestant cause appeared to be sinking treaty was therefore proposed between
in Scotland, in consequence of the direct France and England, the basis of which
aid received by the queen-regent from  was, that the troops of both countries
France, the English court perceived the should be withdrawn from  Scotland,
necessity of sending an army to the as- and ambassadors were appointed to meet
Knox, Spotswood, Buchanan.' Knox, Spotswood.




A. D. 1560.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     49
in Edinburgh, to complete its arrange- the records of its acts. When the cirment and ratification.               cumstances in which they were assemWhile the ambassadors were on their bled, and the affairs on which they were
way to Scotland, the queen-regent, who called to deliberate, are taken into conhad been for some time declining in sideration, this must be regarded as the
health, became seriously ill; and, send- most important meeting of the estates of
ing for some of the chief Lords of the the kingdom that had ever been held in
Congregation, expressed her regret at the Scotland. It engrossed the attention of
sufferings which the kingdom had en- the nation, and the eyes of Europe were
dured. She also sent for John Willock, fixed on its proceedings.  Although a
and conferred with him for some time on great concourse of people resorted to Edreligious matters; but, after his depar- inburgh on that occasion, yet no tumult
ture, received extreme unction, according or disturbance of the public peace occurto the rites of the Romish Church, and red. Many of the lords spiritual and
expired, on the 9th Knox says, Spots- temporal who were attached to Popery
wood says the 10th, of June 1560.*   absented themselves; but the chief paOn the 16th of June the ambassadors trons of the old religion, as the archbishop
arrived in Edinburgh, and began their of St. Andrews, and the bishops of Dumnegotiations. The death of the late queen- blane and Dunkeld, countenanced the
dowager had removed one of the main ob- Assembly by their presence, and were
stacles to peace; and the troubled state of allowed to act with freedom as lords of
political matters in France tended to parliament.
make the ambassadors of that country    " The all-important business of relimore disposed to pacification than they gion was introduced by a petition premight otherwise have been. It proceeded, sented by a number of Protestants of difhowever, with the usual tardiness of state ferent ranks; in which, after rehearsing
diplomacy, and was signed on the 7th of their former endeavours to procure the reJuly 1560. By this treaty it was pro- moval ofthe corruptions which had invided, that the French troops should be fected the Church, they requested parliaimmediately removed from Scotland; that ment to use the power which Providence
an amnesty should be granted to all who had now put into their hands for effecting
had been engaged in the late resistance this great and urgent work. They craved
to the queen-regent; that the principal three things in general; that the antigrievances of which they complained in christian doctrine  maintained  in the
the civil administration should be re- Popish Church should be discarded; that
dressed; that a free parliament should be means should be used to restore purity of
held in the month of August next, to set- worship and primitive discipline; and
tle the other affairs of the kingdom; and that the ecclesiastical revenues, which had
that, during the absence of their sover- been engrossed by a corrupt and indolent
eigns, the government should be admin- hierarchy, should be applied to the supistered by a council of twelve, all natives port of a pious and active ministry, to the
of the kingdom, to be partly chosen by promotion of learning, and to the relief
Francis and Mary, and partly by the es- of the poor.  They declared, that they
tates of the nation. On the 16th July the were ready to substantiate the justice of
French army embarked at Leith, and the all their demands, and, in particular, to
English troops began their march to their prove that those who arrogated to themown country; Eand on the 19th the Con- selves the name of clergy were destitute
gregation assembledinSt. Giles's Church, of all right to be accounted ministers of
to return public thanks to God for the religion; and that, from  the tyranny
restoration of peace, and for the success which they had exercised, and their vaswhich had crowned their exertions.   salage to the court of Rome, they could
The parliament, which had met for- not be safely tolerated, and far less inmally during the presence of the ambas- trusted with power, in a reformed comsadors on the 10th of July, adjourned monwealth."'
until'the 1st day of August, according to  The attentive reader will mark, in the
the treaty, both dates being specified in
the treaty, both ds bg s d  M'Crie's Life of Knox, pp. 200, 201; Knox, pp. 237,
Knox, Spotswood.         238.
7




50              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II
preceding outline of this petition, the liament required the reformed ministers
statement of certain  great principles to lay before them a summary of doctrine
which he will have occasion subsequently which they could prove to be consonant
to trace in active operation. He will with the Scriptures, and which they demark the request, not only for purity of sired to have established.  The following
worship, but also for primitive discipline, ministers were appointed to perform the
-a point of vital importance in any task: —John Winram, John Spotswood,
Church, but. one which worldly-minded John Willock, John Douglas, John Row,
men will always hate and oppose. He and John Knox; and in the course of
will mark, also, that while our Scottish four days, they presented a Confession of
reformers still wished ecclesiastical reve- Faith as the product of their joint labours,
nues to be devoted to ecclesiastical, and and an expression of their unanimous
not civil purposes, they did so, not for the judgment. It agreed with the Confessake of their own aggrandizement, but sions which had been published by other
purely for the public good, purposing a reformed Churches.  In the statement of
threefold division and application of them, doctrinal tenets it is very clear and dis-one-third for the support of colleges tinct, and eminently evangelical; but
and schools, one-third for the support of though a very valuable and excellent
the poor, and the remaining third for the summary of Christian faith, it is perhaps
support of the ministers of religion. No more coloured with the circumstances of
other national Church ever. exhibited a the times than is necessary, and in some
spirit at once so generous and self-deny- respects less specific and decided than is
ing, and so wisely and nobly zealous in desirable.  For an admirable outline of
devising large and liberal schemes for it the reader may consult M'Crie's Life
promoting the welfare of the kingdom. of Knox; from which work we extract
But such schemes were far too generous the following condensed account of its
to find favour in the sight of the avari- ratification.
cious nobility and gentry, and far too en-  "The Confession was first read before
lightened to be adequately understood, the Lords of Articles, and afterwards
either by the men of that age, or even yet, before the whole parliament.  The Proof our own. Unfortunately for the public testant ministers attended in the house to
welfare, in all ages and countries, men of defend it, if attacked, and to give satisthe world, judging others by themselves, faction to the members respecting any
cannot understand, and will not believe, point which might appear dubious. Those
the self-denying and generous spirit of who had objections to it were formally
true religion, and therefore always regard required to state them. And the farther
with jealousy every proposal made by consideration of it was adjourned to a
the servants of Christ; and even the more subsequent day, that none might pretend
manifestly self-denying and generous it that an undue advantage had been taken
is, the more suspicious are they that it of him, or that a matter of such impormust contain some peculiarly deep de- tance had been concluded precipitately.
sign. The applicability of these remarks On the 17th of August the parliament
will soon be made evident.            resumed the subject, and previous to the
When this petition was laid before par- vote, the Confession was again read, arliament, it soon became apparent that it tide by article.  The Earl of Athole,
went much farther than many of the poli- and Lords Somerville and Borthwick,
ticians were disposed to permit. Mait- were the only persons of the temporal
land of Lethington had previously said, estate who voted in the negative, assignin reference to the discourses which ing this as their reason,'We will believe
Knox had preached from the book of as our forefathers believed.' I The bishHaggai, "We may now forget ourselves, ops spake nothing.' After the vote esand bear the barrow to build the house tablishing the Confession of Faith, the
of God." This scoffing comment showed Earl Marischal rose, and declared, that
plainly enough what were his sentiments; the silence of the clergy had confirmed
and there were but too many ready to him in his belief of the protestant docconcur with and support him. In answer trine; and he protested that if any of the
to the first topics of the petition, the par- ecclesiastical estate should afterwards op



A. D. 1560.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      51
pose the doctrine which had just been urgent necessities of the case, another
received, they should be entitled to no expedient was devised. It was resolved
credit, seeing, after full knowledge of it, to divide the counties into departments,
and ample time for deliberation, they and appoint one of the Protestant party
had allowed it to pass without the small- to take the general charge of religious
est opposition or contradiction. On the matters throughout each of these depart24th of August, the parliament abolished ments, and to bear the name of Superinthe papal jurisdiction, prohibited, under tendents, as indicative of the general
certain penalties the celebration of mass, charge which they were to take of the
and rescinded all the laws formerly made interests of religion in their respective
in support of the Roman Catholic Church, districts.  These superintendents were,
and against the Reformed faith."-    John Spotswod for the Lothians; John
With these acts Sir James Sandilands Winram for Fife; John Willock for
of Torphichen was sent to France, in Glasgow; John Erskine of Dun for
order to obtain, if possible, their ratifica- Angus and Mearns; and John Carsewell
tion by the king and queen.  This, how- for Argyle.*  It was intended by the reever, they refused to give, trusting to the formers to have divided Scotland into ten
possibility of yet restoring the Romish districts, and to have appointed a superChurch in Scotland; but as their hostil- intendent for each; but the difficulty of
ity was known, their refusal gave little obtaining suitable persons prevented the
disturbance to the reformers, by whom  appointment of any more than the aboveindeed it seems to have been expected. named five.
As in the treaty of Edinburgh it had    From the fact of the appointment of
been expressly agreed that, in the parlia- these superintendents, Episcopalian wriment which was to be held in August, ters have striven to represent the Scottish
the religious matters in dispute should be reformers as favourable to diocesan Pre.
considered and grievances redressed, the lacy.  The utter absurdity of this notion
reformers held themselves entitled to re- has been demonstrated so conclusively by
gard all the decisions of that parliament many authors, that we need not expend
as in reality ratified by anticipation; and our time in its refutation; it is enough to
accordingly their next care was to devise refer to Calderwood, Stevenson, and
what steps should now be taken for the MICrie, or to the First Book of Discicomplete diffusion and establishment of pline, in which it manifestly appears that
the Reformation throughout the kingdom. the superintendents had no one thing in
Previous to the meeting of parliament, common with prelates, except the charge
and during the calm which intervened of religious matters in an extensive disbetween the treaty of Edinburgh and the trict,-a charge by the one class of men
later period, a temporary arrangement laboriously executed, and by the other
had been made, by which the chief of made a source of honour and emolument;
the reformed ministers were appointed to thus, even in this apparent similarity,
reside in the most populous and impor- proving their inherent and essential diftant towns. John Knox was appointed ference. It may be added, that not only
to Edinburgh; Christopher Goodman was there no essential difference between
(who had been Knox's colleague at Ge- the ordination of the superintendent and
neva, and had of late come to Scotland) the minister, but Erskine of Dun filled
was appointed to St. Andrews; Adam    the office of a superintendent before he
Heriot to Aberdeen; John Row to Perth; was ordained at all; and farther, that
Paul Methven to Jedburgh; William     when it was proposed to make the bishop
Christison to Dundee; David Ferguson of Galloway superintendent over Galloto Dumferline; and David Lindsay to way, the proposal was rejected, lest the
Leith.  3ut as the country parts of the appointment of one who had been a
kingdom were at least equally in need of bishop should give some colour to the
ministers and instruction, and there were idea that the office was Prelacy under a
not yet any thing like a sufficient num- different name.t
ber of reformed ministers to supply the  Soon after the parliament had finished
M'Crie's Life of Knox, p. 203; see also Knox p.' Knox, p. 236; Spotswood, p. 149.
2i3; Spotswood, p. 150. Calderwood, p. 14.  t Knox, Hiistorie, p. 263; Calderwood, p. 32.




52                HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   [CHAP. III.
its labours   and  been   dissolved, the civil rulers, preventing the vitiating influreformed ministers and the leading Pro- ence of worldly policy from    interfering
testants determined to meet and deliber- with and warping the views of our re
ate respecting the measures to be next formers, who were thus not only left,
adopted.  On the 20th day of December but even constrained, to follow the guid1560, they met accordingly, in Edin- ance of the sacred Word of God alone;
burgh, " To consult upon those things while in almost every other country,
which are to forward God's glory, and England for example, the Reformation
the well of his Kirk, in this realme." was either biassed in its course, or arAnd this was the first meeting of the rested at that stage of its progress in
FIRSTGENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH       which worldly statesmen conceived it
OF SCOTLAND."*                           could be rendered more subservient to
We have thus briefly traced the pro- their own designs.     But this, which is
gress of the Reformation in Scotland     the glory and excellency of the Church
from its first scarcely perceptible begin- of Scotland, we shall find to have been
ning, struggling against the opposition of the cause of nearly all the perils wherepowerful, treacherous, and merciless an- with she has been encompassed, and the
tagonists, until, " strong only in the Lord sufferings through which she has passed,
and in the power of His might," it sur- from the Reformation to the present day.
mounted all obstacles, and the ministers
and elders of the Church of Scotland
convened and held their General Assembly, in the name and by the sole authority of Him by whom    they had been              CHAPTER       II1.
so mightily upheld, and whom alone they
recognized as Head and King of the FROM THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMLLY, IN 1560,
Church of Scotland. We have seen how       T THE YEAR 1592, AND THE GREAT CHARlong the early Church of Scotland, the      TER OF THE CHURCH.
Culdees, resisted the encroachments and First Book of Discipline-Opposition of the Nobility to
the corruptions of Prelacy and Popery;     its Regulations-Queen Mary's Return to Scotland*/h e1b 1 tcorru pt)i oIycontests respeting the Mss, n respecting the Mass, and respecting the
with what difficulty these adherents of    Liberty of the Assembly, and the Patrimony of the
Church-Proceedings against the Popish Bishopsprimitive Christianity were overborne      Trial of Knox for convening the Ministers-Defence
how   pertinaciously the p   lby Kno o the pple  f St-  K   Freedom of the Pulpit-Marriage of
1 1  1   11       the Queen to Darnley-Patronage-Death ofRizzioland clung to their early belief; and how  First National Fast-Murder of Darnley-Marriage of
readily the tenets of Wickliffe and other  the Queen to Bothwell-Flight of Bothwelw, and
readily the tenets of Wiclklife and other   ^ ~Mary's Imprisonment —Act of Parliament 1567, re,
early reformers were received in those     cognising the Church-Powers and Jurisdiction of
disticts where the C e s m  hd  the Church, and its Condition at this time-The Redistricts where the Culdee system had      gent Murray —his Assassination —The Regent Morton
most prevailed.  The dyin   declarations   — Attempts for the Restoration of Prelacy-Conven-bt peae.  l1   tion of Leith, 1572-Tulchan Bishops-Death of John
of the Scottish martyrs have called forth  Knox-Continued Struggles of the Church against
our admiration, and toucd or               the'Tulchan Bishops-Andrew Melville comes to
our admiration, and touched our sympa-     Scotland-Commission to draw up a System of
thies; and we have traced the steady un-  Ecclesiastical Polity and Jurisdiction-Patrick Adamson-Opposition of Melville-Morton resigns the
swerving course of the undaunted Knox,     Regency, and King James assumes the Government
~as he bore rioht onward to the accomi -   -The Second Book of Discipline-Conference reas he bore right onward to the accorm-     specting it-Its Ratification evaded-Condemnation
plishment of his one great aim, —the es-   of Episcopacy by the Assembly-Erection of Prestabli hment of the   blessed  gospelof f   byteries, and Engrossment of the Second Book of
tablighment of the blessed    gfospel of     te   n Discipline in the Records of the Assembly-First
Christ in his native land. And we must     National Covenant subscribed by the King-Robert
Montgomery-Proceedings of the Church in his case
have traced the course of these great      -The Raid of Ruthven-Proceedings of the King
zn tue in  nagainst Melville —The Black Acts of 1584 —Sufferings
events with unperceiving eye indeed, if    of the Church —Change of Measures for the betterwe have not marked the hand of Prov-       Act of Annexation —Alarm on account of the Span*j 7n.1. t- a i7, 17~ *      ish Armada-The King sails to Norway-Peaceful
idence guiding them all in a most pecu-    State of the Church and Kingdomn-The King reliar manner.   Even circumstancesn the     turns and eulogizes the Church-Collision between
the Court of' Session and the Church-Act of Parliamost seemingly adverse were so over-       ment of 1592, called the Great Charter of the Church
ruled as to contribute to the purity and   of cotlantl.
completeness of the Scottish Reforma-       THE act of the Scottish parliament, pastion.  The alternating direct hostility sed on the 24th August 1560, in accordand alien intrigues of the court and the ance with the petition of the Scottish re-'Booke of the Universall Kirk of Scotland.  formers, abrogated and annulled the pa




A. D. 1560.]    IISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      53
pal jurisdiction, and all authority flowing whom the Confession of Faith had been
therefrom; but it enacted no ecclesias- composed were appointed to undertake
tical jurisdiction whatever in its stead. the new and scarcely less important task.
This it left the reformed Church to de- This, indeed, they had been previously
termine upon and effect by its own in- desired to do by the privy council, as aptrinsic powers.  And this is a fact of the pears from the preamble of their producutmost importance, which cannot be too tion.  They applied themselves to their
well knoIwn and kept in remembrance, task in the same spirit as before, having
It is, indeed, one of the distinctive char- respect, indeed, to the circumstances and
acteristics of the Church of Scotland, the exigencies of the time, but looking to
that it owes its origin, its form, its juris- Divine direction and authority alone.
diction, and its discipline, to no earthly " They took not their example," says
power. And when the ministers and Row, from any Kirk in the world; no
elders of the Church of Scotland resolved not from Geneva;" but their plan from
to meet in a General Assembly, to delib- the sacred Scriptures. Having arranged
erate on matters which might tend to the the subject under different heads, they
promotion of God's glory and the wel- divided these among them; and, after
fare of the Church, they did so in virtue they had finished their several parts, they
of the authority which they believed the met together and examined them with
Lord Jesus Christ had given to His great attention, spending much time in
Church. The parliament which abol- reading and meditation on the subject,
ished the papal jurisdiction made not the and in earnest prayers for Divine direcslightest mention of a General Assembly. tion. When they had drawn up the
In that time of comparatively simple and whole in form, they laid it before the Genhonest faith, even statesmen seem instinc- eral Assembly, by whom it was approved,
tively to have perceived, that to interfere after they had caused some of its articles
in matters of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, to be abridged. At the close of the brief
so as to appoint ecclesiastical tribunals, records of the first General Assembly,
specify their nature, and assign their there is an intimation that the next meetlimits, was not within their province. It ing was to be held on the 15th day
had been well for the kingdom if states- of January following;* but no record apmen of succeeding times, certainly not pears to have been kept of that meeting;
their superiors in talent and in judgment, yet, as we find the Book of Discipline rehad been wise enough to follow their ferred to in the next meeting of May the
example.                              same year, we may conclude that it was
The first meeting of the General in January that it was approved and ratiAssembly of the Church of Scotland was fled by the Assembly. It was also subheld, as has been already stated, on the mitted to the privy council; but although
20th of December 1560. The number many of the members highly approved
that convened was but small,-it con- of the plan, it was keenly opposed by
sisted of forty members, only six of whom  others.  "Every thing," says Knox,
were ministers; but they were men of " that repugned to their corrupt affecgreat abilities, of deep piety, and of emi- tions was termed, in their mockery,' denent personal worth, fitted and qualified vout imaginations.' The cause we have
by their Creator for the work which he before declared: some were licentious,
had given them to do. The very next some had greedily gripped the possesstep which was taken proved both their sions of the Church, and others thought
qualifications and their zeal. It was very that they would not lack their part of
clearly seen by the reformers, that the Christ's coat."t  This points out clearly
power of discipline was essential to the enough the cause of the opposition made
well-being of a Church, since without it to the Book of Discipline,-partly averpurity could not be maintained, either sion to the strict discipline which it apamong the people or the ministers them- pointed to be exercised against vice, and
selves.  They determined, therefore, to partly from reluctance to comply with its
draw up a book in which there should be requisition for the appropriation of the
a complete system of ecclesiastical goverment and the same eminen      Booke of the Kniversall Kirk p. 5.
ernment; and the same eminent men byt Knox, p. 256.




54              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. III,
revenues of the Popish Church to the doctor or teacher, whose province it was
support of the new religious and literary to interpret Scripture and confute errors,
establishments. But though not formally including those who taught theology in
ratified by the privy council, it was sub- schools and universities; the ruling elder,
scribed by the greater part of the nobility who assisted the minister in exercising
and barons, members of the council, and ecclesiastical discipline and government;
thereby virtually ratified.  The docu- and the deacon, who had the special
ment deserves to be recorded:-        charge of the revenues of the Church
"At Edinburgh, 17th January I561.  and the poor. To these permanent office" We, who have subscribed these pres- bearers there were added two others, of
ents, having advised with the articles a temporary character.  It has been
herein, specified, as is above mentioned, already stated, that, in the arrangement
from the beginning of this book, think entered into previous to the first General
the same good, and conform to God's Assembly, there were only twelve reWord in all points,-conform to the notes formed ministers to preach the gospel
and additions hereto eiked; and promise throughout the whole kingdom; and
to set the same forward to the uttermost that, to accomplish the utmost possible
of our powers.    Providing  that the amount of duty by so small a number,
bishops, abbots, priors, and other prelates seven were placed in the chief towns,
and beneficed men which else have ad- and large country districts were assigned
joined themselves to us, bruik [enjoy] to each of the remaining five. These
the revenues of their benefices during five were called superintendents; and
their lifetimes; they sustaining and up- their duty was, to travel from place to
holding the ministry and ministers, as place throughout their districts, for the
herein is specified, for the preaching of purpose of preaching, planting churches,
the Word, and ministering of the sacra- and inspecting the conduct of the counments."                              try ministers, where there were any,
To this,-termed by several writers and of another temporary class of men
"An act of the secret council," which in- termed Exhorters and Readers. This
deed it was, being subscribed by a large latter class consisted of the most pious
majority,-there were affixed the names persons that could be found, who, having
of the Duke of Chatelherault, the Earls received a conmmon education, were able
of Arran, Argyle, Glencairn, Rothes, to read to their more ignorant neighMarischal, Monteith, and Morton, Lords hours, though not qualified for the minisJames Stewart, Boyd, Yester, Ochiltree, try. When the readers were found to
Lindsay, Sanquhar, St. John of Torphi- have discharged their duty well, and to
chen, the Master of Maxwell, the Master have increased in their own knowledge,
of Lindsay, Drumlanrig, Lochinvar, they were encouraged to add a few plain
Garlies, Balgarnie, Cunninghamhead, exhortations to the reading of the ScripAlexander Gordon, bishop of Galloway, tures; and then they were termed ExAlexander Campbell, dean of Murray, horters.   If they still continued to imand otJhers of less note.             prove, they might finally be admitted to
As the Book of Discipline contains the the ministry.  To search out, employ,
deliberate opinions of the Scottish reform- and watch over the conduct of such men,
ers respecting what they regarded as the giving them instruction firom time to time,
fundamental principles of the Church was the chief duty of the superintendent,
which they were labouring to establish from which, indeed, he derived his name,
in Scotland, it seems necessary to give a so naturally expressive of his duty,brief abstract of those principles, that the a duty the very nature of which shows it
reader may the better know  what the to have been temporary, and intended to
Church of Scotland, fiom its beginning, expire whenever the necessities which
has either been or striven to be.     called it into being should have been reThe ordinary and permanent office- moved by a sufficiency of qualified minbearers of the Church were of four kinds: isters.
the minister or pastor, to whom  the    No person was allowed to preach, or
preaching of the gospel and administra- to administer the sacraments, till he was
tion of the sacraments belonged; the regularly  called to his emp' yment.




A. D. 1561.1    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      55
"Ordinary vocation [calling] consisteth In towns a sermon was regularly preachin election, examination, and admission." ed on one day of the week besides the
"It appertaineth to the people, and to Sabbath: and on almost every day the
every several congregation, to elect their people had an opportunity of hearing
minister."  " For altogether this is to be public prayers and the reading of the
avoided, that any man be violently in- Scriptures. Baptism was never dispensed
truded or thrust in upon any congrega- unless it was accompanied with preachtion; but this liberty, with all care, must ing or catechising. The Lord's Supper
be reserved to every several church, to was administered four times a-year in
have their votes and suffrages in election towns; the sign of the cross in baptizing,
of their ministers."  The examination and kneeling at the Lord's table, were
was appointed to take place "in open forbidden; and anniversary holidays were
assembly, and before the congregation," abolished.
to satisfy the church as to his soundness  Education was very justly regarded as
in the faith; his "gifts, utterance, and of the utmost importance, and deserving
knowledge;" his willingness to under- every possible encouragement. It was
take the charge; the purity of his mo- stated as imperatively necessary, that
tives; and his resolution to discharge the there should be a school in every parish,
duties of his office with diligence and for the instruction of youth in the princifidelity.  Admission then took place by pies of religion, grammar, and the Latin
the person being solemnly set apart by tongue; and it was farther proposed, that
prayer, at first without imposition of a college should be erected in every "nohands, which, however, was afterwards table town," in which logic and rhetoric
appointed to be done.  Superintendents should be taught, along with the learned
were admitted in the same way as other languages. It was even suggested that
ministers, were tried by the same church parents should not be permitted to negcourts, liable to the same censures, and lect the education of their children; but
might be deposed for the same crimes.  that the nobility and gentry should be
The affairs of each congregation were obliged to do so at their own expense; and
managed by the minister, elders, and that a fund should be provided for the
deacons, who constituted the kirk-session, education of the children of the poor,
which met regularly once a week, and who discovered talents and aptitude for
oftener if business required. There was learning.
also a meeting, called the weekly exer-  To carry these important measures
cise, or prophesying, held in every con- into effect, permanent funds were requisiderable town, consisting of the ministers, site; and for these they naturally looked
exhorters, and educated men in the vicini- to the patrimony of the Church.  The
ty, for expounding the Scriptures. This hierarchy had been abolished, and the
was afterwards converted into the pres- popish clergy excluded from all religious
bytery, or classical assembly. The su- services, by the alterations which the parperintendent met with the ministers and liament had introduced; and wlhaever
delegated elders of his district twice a- provision it was proper to allot for At.c disyear, in the provincial Synod, which took missed incumbents during life, it war uncognizance of ecclesiastical affairs within reasonable that they should coemmue to
its bounds. And the General Assembly, enjoy those emoluments which we: e atwhich was composed of ministers and tached to offices for which they had been
elders commissioned from the different found totally unfit. No successors could
parts of the kingdom, met twice, some- be appointed to them; and there was not
times thrice, in a year, and attended to the any individual or class of men in the nainterests of the National Church.    tion, who could justly claim a title to the
Public worship was attended to in such rents of their benefices.  The compilers
a manner, as to show the estimation in of the Book of Discipline, therefore, pro
which it was held by our reformers. On posed that the patrimony of the Church
Sabbath days the people assembled twice should be appropriated, in the first infor public worship; and, the better to in- stance, to the'support of the new ecclesistruct the ignorant, catechising was sub- astical establishment.  Under this desigstituted for preaching in the afternoon. nation they included the ministy y, the




56              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. III.
schools, and the poor. For the ministers which the vicious obtain easy admission
they. required, that such "honest pro- into the company of the virtuous."
vision" should be made as would give    There is one almost casual expression
" neither occasion of solicitude, neither in that part of the Book of discipline
yet of insolencie and wantonnesse." The which treats of Church censures, of too
stipends of ministers were to be collected much importance to be passed by withby the deacons from the tithes; but all out notice, tending, a; it does, to throw a
illegal exactions were to be previously flood of light on the character of the age,
abolished, and measures taken to relieve and to vindicate the reformers from one
the cultivators of the ground from the of the heaviest of the accusations brought
oppressive manner in which the tithes against them,-" correcting of the faults
had been gathered by the clergy, or by which either the civil sword doth neglect
those to whom  they had farmed them. or may not punish."   Every person at
The revenues of bishoprics, and of cathe- all acquainted with the history of tnose
dral and collegiate churches, with the times will see the deep meaning of these
rents arising from the endowments of very pregnant words. Rent as the kingmonasteries and other religious founda- dom had long been into feudal factions
tions, were to be divided, and appropri- there was scarcely anything in it deservated to the support of the universities, or ing the name of public justice.  Every
of the churches within their bounds.  ambitious nobleman was ready to defend
The reformers were well aware of the the most notorious criminals, for the purnecessity of establishing and maintaining pose of strengthening his "following,"
a systematic course of discipline. "As by the accession of fierce, lawless, and
no commonwealth can flourish or long unscrupulous adherents.   Impartiality
endure without good laws, and sharp exe- in the administration of justice, and the
cution of the same, so neither can the suppression of crime, neither did exist,
Kirk of God be brought to purity, neither nor was possible in such a state of matyet be retained in the same, without the ters; and the popish clergy, being themorder of ecclesiastical discipline, which selves as licentious and unjust as either
stands in reproving and correcting of the people or nobles, were not disposed to atfaults which the civil sword either doth tempt enacting or enforcing laws by
neglect or may not punish."*  "To dis- which they might themselves be concipline must all the estates within the demned and punished.   There  was,
realm be subject, as well as the rulers as therefore, an absolute necessity that the
they that are ruled; yea, and the preach- reformed Church  of Scotland should
ers themselves, as well as the poorest take decided measures, not only for the
within the Kirk." These quotations may teaching of truth, but also for the supalone serve to show, that there was no- pression of vice and immorality, as far
thing in which the Scottish reformers ap- as its authority could possibly reach, and
proached nearer to the primitive Church, much farther than in a better state of
than in the rigorous and impartial exer- society would have been either necescise of ecclesiastical discipline, the relaxa- sary or desirable. Yet, even when imtion of which, under the papacy, they pelled by these urgent considerations,
justly regarded as one great cause of the the Church of Scotland never attempted
universal corruption of religion. " In to dictate in civil matters, nor even called
some instances they might carry their upon the secular authorities to inflict
rigour against offenders to an extreme, civil penalties for the purpose of enforcbut it was a virtuous extreme, compared ing discipline purely ecclesiastical. That
with the dangerous laxity, or rather total the Church called upon the parliament
disuse, of discipline which has gradually to suppress idolatry, and to abolish the
crept into almost all the churches that re- papal jurisdiction in the kingdom, is adtain the name of reformed; even as the mitted; but this cannot justly be regardscrupulous delicacy with which our fore- ed as any thing more than the public
fathers shunned the society of those who voice of the Church calling upon the
had transgressed the rules of morality, is civil magistrate to do his own duty in
to be preferred to modern manners, by his own province, as idolatry is a viola" First Book of Discipline, chap. ix.' M'Crie's Life of Knox, p. 251.




A. D. 1561.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    57
tion of natural religion, and even of of Faith, and the First Book of Discipreason itself, and the papal jurisdiction line, of the Church of Scotland, were
involves the national crime of allegiance disliked, opposed, repressed, and turned
to a foreign secular power, which no aside by the worldly-wise statesmen of
well-governed country can safely tolerate. that day, as they have often been in subA slight apparent confusion between the sequent times; but they took up their
secular and the ecclesiastical jurisdictions abiding residence in the mind and heart
arose from the fact that the parliament, of Scotland,-in the deliberate judgment
or the magistracy of particular burghs, and conviction of its intellect, and the
had enacted punishments of a corporal fervent regard of its affection; and the
kind, against certain crimes which were struggle then begun will continue, till,
ordinarily tried in the church courts; sooner or later, they be completely
but the infliction, as well as the enacting realized.
of them, pertained to the civil magis-  It has been already stated, that the
trate.*                              Protestant nobility readily enough conSuch were the fundamental principles, sented to the suppression of the papal
and the chief points of the government jurisdiction, and the public sanctioning
and discipline of the Church of Scotland of the reformed doctrines, especially as
as stated in the Book of Discipline, these measures were understood to imply
drawn up by John Knox and the most a prospective confiscation of the exorbieminent of the Scottish reformers; ap- tant wealth of the Romish clergy. But
proved by the General Assembly; and they were by no means equally satisfied
subscribed by the majority of the nobles, with the remaining main propositions of
and inferior barons, and gentry, com- the reformers,-the regulations of disposing the privy council of the kingdom. cipline, and especially the appropriation
Had it obtained the complete sanction of of the patrimony of the suppressed
the civil government, and its principles Church to the purposes, ministerial, eduand arrangements thereby been brought cational, and charitable, of the new eccleinto full operation, many, if not all of the siastical establishment.  They had for
calamities which speedily fell upon the some time cast a covetous eye on the rich
kingdom, might have been averted. revenues of the popish clergy. Some of
But statesmen had not then learned, them had seized upon church lands, or
neither indeed have they yet, the impor- retained the tithes'in their own hands.
tant difference between principles, which Others had taken long leases of them
have in them the energy of imperishable from the clergy for small sums of money,
vital powers, and external arrangements, and were anxious to have these private
which are either the results of the opera- bargains legalized.  From  this arose
tion of principles, or are the mere mounds one great cause of their aversion to have
by which short-sighted men attempt to the Book of Discipline ratified, lest they
modify and restrain the aspect and should be obliged to surrender the spoil
growth of the internal agency, which they had unjustly obtained.  The plan
they understand not, but wish to coerce  of the Church was, they said, a "devout
Arrangements may be altered almost at imagination," a mere visionary scheme,
will; but principles, when once fully which showed indeed the goodness of
stated, can never be destroyed.  They their intentions, but which it was imposmay be repressed, fettered, turned awry sible to carry into practical effect. In
in their operations; but they continue to short, they determined to retain by force
operate powerfully even when unseen, the greater part of the Church revenues,
causing convulsion after convulsion as thus fraudfully seized upon, for their own
they rend asunder and throw off the un- advantage.
comforting external moulds into which  Several public events of great importhey have been forced; and must inevit- tance occurred about this time, by which
ably continue thus to act, till they obtain the affairs of the Church were not a little
a free and unconstrained developement, influenced, and which, therefore, must be
congenial to their own nature.  The briefly stated. Francis, the young king
principles stated in the First Confession of France, and in virtue of the matrimo
* Baillie's Vindication, p. 17.  nial crown as husband of Mary, king of
8




58              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. ID.
Scotland also, died in December 1560. that they would not only support her in
Mary immediately lost all power at the chastising her rebellious subjects, but
French court, and indicated her willing- would assist her also to prosecute her
ness to return to Scotland.  HIer natural claims to the English crown  Mary
brother, Lord James Stewart, was sent by brought with her to Scotlandthese prethe Scottish parliament to France, in the possessions and schemes; and she adexpectation that he might induce her to hered to them throughout her life with
be favourable to the reformed Church; the most determined pertinacity.  She
and Lesly, afterwards bishop of Ross, did, indeed, temporise for a time, as the
was deputed by the Romish party to pro- Protestants were in the possession of all
mote their interests. Mary manifested power in the kingdom; but she resolved
no disposition to favour the Reforma- to withhold her ratification of the late
tion; but seemed disposed to place much proceedings, and to embrace the first favconfidence in the political sagacity of her ourable opportunity to overturn them,
brother, endeavouring, at the same time, and re-establish the ancient system.*
to draw him aside from his adherence to  The Protestants, on the other hand,
the reformed Church, in which she was remembering well the deep dissimulation
partially successful.                of her mother, and aware of the fierce
Previous to the return of Mary, the bigotry of the Guisan family, were jeasecond General Assembly was held at lous of their young queen, and had
Edinburgh, on the 27th of May 1561. strictly prohibited the deputies sent to
Its proceedings were chiefly directed to France from promising her more than
the object of obtaining a specific ratifi- the private exercise of her religion,-if,
cation of certain topics contained in the indeed, even that could be tolerated. BeBook of Discipline, respecting the sup- tween such conflicting principles and
pression of idolatry, and the providing of aims, it was impossible but that a colmaintenance for the reformed preachers, lision should speedily ensue. Nor was
which the privy council thought proper occasion long wanting for the exhibition
to grant.                             of that hostility which was so deeply
On the 19th of August, in the same entertained by both parties.  As if to
year, Queen Mary landed at Leith, and seize the earliest opportunity of proving
was conducted to Holyrood-house, in the her attachment to her own faith, Mary
midst of great demonstrations of joy at gave orders for the celebration of a solher safe arrival, by a people predisposed emn mass in the chapel of Holyroodc
to the most devoted loyalty, provided their house, on the first Sabbath after her arallegiance to an earthly sovereign was rival.  This service, it will be rememnot strained to the violation of the infi- bered, had been prohibited by an act oi
nitely higher allegiance which they owed the late parliament, and had not beets
to the King of kings.  There was but publicly performed since the conclusion
too much certainty, that they would soon of the civil war.  This most unwise
be put to choose whether they would step of the queen gave such oifence to
violate their conscience or offend their the people, that it was with te utmost
queen.   Mary had unfortunately been difficulty they  were prevented  from
trained up from her infancy in a blind breaking into an open tumult, and inflictattachment to the tenets and observances ing punishment on the perpetrators of
of Popery; and, before she left France, what they regarded as a direct violation
her uncles of the house of Guise or Lor- at once of the laws of God and of the
raine had used every means to strengthen nation.  An act of the privy council
this prejudice, and to inspire her with was framed, prohibiting all innovations
hatred to the religion which had been in the religion found by the queen on
embraced  by her people.    She was her arrival; but, at the same time, protaught that it would be the glory of her hibiting all tumultuary interference with
reign to bring back her kingdom to its the French attendants "for any cause
former obedience to the pSpal sway, and whatsoever," by which they were Iroto co-operate with the popish princes on tected in their religious usages, despite
the Continent in extirpating heresy.  To the known hostility of her Protestant
this was added as a str)ng inducement,      See M'Crie's Life of Knox, note UU.




A. D. 1561 ]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    59
subjects. Against this act of council the withdraw that aid,-whether by direct
Earl of Arran alone of the nobility pro- violation of His commandments, or by
tested briefly; but a more full and for- such temporizing conduct as implies dismal protest was made by the Protestant trust of His all-sufficient support, —must
ministers. John Knox took occasion to lead infallibly to their own punishment,
deliver his mind fully and openly on the in the overthrow of their undertaking,
subject in a sermon preached by him on or the indefinite postponement of its sucthe following Sabbath; in which he de- cess.  So thought and believed John
dared, " That one mass was more fear- Knox; and hence his dread of one perful unto him than if ten thousand armed mitted mass, as tending to cause God to
enemies were landed in any part of the withdraw his support, and to leave them
realm, of purpose to suppress the whole to the punishment which their faithless
religion: for, said he, in our God there and temporizing devices had deserved.
is strength to resist and confound multi- Such opinions and rules of action, we
tudes, if we unfeignedly depend upon well know; are termed fanatical by sages
Him, of which we have had experience; and the learned, by the philosophers and
but when we join hands with idolatry, it statesmen of the world; but the Christian
is no doubt but both God's presence and knows their truth, and the. reflecting hisdefence will leave us; and what shall torian may learn and mark their reality
then become of us?*and their value. We shall have repeated
Let the Christian reader note well the occasion to trace them, and to note their
reasoning on which Knox founds his importance, in our subsequent pages.
dread of the mass; and let him put to  The report of Knox's animadverhimself this question, and ponder well sions upon her conduct was speedily
what answer must be returned to it:-  conveyed to the queen. She seems to
"Can religion be reformed really and have resolved to try the possible amount
successfully without the direct aid of ofthat personal influence with him which
God, and can it be defended in any other she had found so effectual with a great
manner?"  The man of the world may number of the Protestant lords; of
imagine that it can; but he will not pro- whom it was customary to say, that they
duce one instance that it ever was. came to court. very zealous defenders of
Neither will it be possible to produce the true religion, but, after a few days'
one instance of a great and real refor- iesidence there, the fire-edge wore off
mation of religion taking place, without them, and they became as temperate as the
the chief human agents being themselves rest. If such were her expectations, she
fully persuaded that they are enjoying was completely disappointed; and findthe direct aid of God, and, in the strength ing that she had now to deal with a man
of that belief, proceeding confidently for- who could neither be flattered nor overward with measures the success of which, awed, she seems, to have ever afterwards
according to every merely human calcu- regarded him with mingled feelings of
lation, is absolutely'hopeless. For. the respect, terror, and hatred. Knox had,
same reason they will be found rejecting on his part, made it his study to avail
those schemes which human prudence himself of such an opportunity to discovand political sagacity would most recom- er the real character of the queen; and
mend; and expressing their dread of no- when some of his friends asked his opinthing so much as of the unhallowed in- ion of her, he answered, "If there be
termixture of worldly wisdom in their not in her a proud mind, a crafty wit,
sacred welfare, especially when that in- and an indurate heart against God and
termixture involves the crime of conniv- his truth, my judgment faileth me."*
ing at what they believe to be direct or Few will now deny that his judgment
implicit violation of the laws of Him  proved to be but too accurate. The estiwho alone can give the victory. For mate which he formed of the queen's
they well know, that as their enterprise character, and the coldness which he
can be brought to a successful issue perceived spreading among the Protestthrough the aid of God alone, so, what- ant lords, had no other effect upon him
ever has the tendency to cause Him to than to make him the more watchful' Knox, p. 287.'Knox, p. 292.




60              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. HI.
over public procedure, and the more de- ment in settling the provision for the
termined in the defence of the Church.  ministers of the Church, Hitherto they
A meeting of the General Assembly had lived chiefly on the benevolence of
was held in December, the same year, their hearers, and many of them  had
1561, of which the Booke of the Univer- scarcely the means of subsistence, but
sail Kirk gives no account, probably be- repeated complaints having obliged the
cause its time was spent in disputations, privy council to take up the affair, they
without producing any direct result. came at last to a determination, that the
These disputations, however, have been ecclesiastical revenues should be divided
recorded by Knox himself; and a brief into three parts; that two of these should
account of them is necessary, as showing be given to the ejected popish clergy,
the altered sentiments of some of the and that the third part should be divided
Protestant lords. A considerable num- between the court and the protestant
her of them at first absented themselves ministry! Well might Knox exclaims
from the meeting of the Assembly; and when he heard of this disgraceful arwhen reproved, they retorted by disput- rangement, "If the end of this order,
ing the propriety of such conventions pretended to be taken for the sustentation
without her majesty's pleasure.  Mait- of the ministers, be happy, my judgment
land of Lethington, now made secretary fails me! I see two parts freely given
of state, took upon him to encounter the to the devil, and the third part must be
reasoning of Knox. " Take from    us divided betwixt God and the devil."
the liberty of assemblies, and take from us Even the lords of the privy council seem
the gospel," said the reformer.  " If the to have felt that their own nefarious deed
liberty of the Church must depend upon was little better than a mockery; for
her allowance or disallowance, we shall when the scheme was proposed among
want not only assemblies, but the preach- them, the Earl of Huntly, himself a
ing of the gospel." It was then proposed popish nobleman, addressed the others
that the Book of Discipline should be jestingly, by " Good morrow, my lords
ratified by the queen; but this was of the two parts."*  The privy council
pointedly opposed  by the   secretary. appointed certain persons to fix the sums
"How many of those that subscribed which were to be appropriated to the
that book will be subject to it?" said he court and to the ministry, and also the
scoffing!y. It was answered, "All the particular salaries which were to be algodly."  "Will the Duke?" said Leth- lotted to individual ministers, according
ington. "If he will not," replied Lord to the circumstances in which they were
Ochiltree, "I wish that his name were placed.  The officers for this purpose
scraped, not only out of that book, but composed a board under the privy counalso out of our number and company; for cil, which was called the " Court of
to what end shall men subscribe, and Modification."  The persons thus apnever mind to keep word of that which pointed to "modify the stipends," were
they promise?"  Lethington answered, disposed to gratify the queen, and her
that many subscribed it, in fide parentum, demands were readily answered; while
as children are baptized. Knox replied, the sums allotted to the ministers were
that "the scoff was as untrue as it was as ill paid as they were inadequate.
unbecoming; for the book was publicly Lethington again displayed his sneering
read, and its different heads discussed, and bitter nature, asserting that " if the
for a number of days, and no man was ministers  were sustained, the queen
required to subscribe what he did not would not get, at the year's end, to buy
understand."  "Stand content," said one her a pair of new shoes."  "To these
of the courtiers: " that book will not be dumb dogs the bishops," answered Knox,
obtained."  "Let God," replied Knox, "ten thousand was not enough; but to
"require the injury which the common- the servants of Christ, that painfully
wealth shall sustain, at the hands of those preach the Gospel, an hundred merkst
who hinder it."                      must suffice!  How  can that be susAnother subject which caused keen tained?"
and protracted altercation between Knox  The preceding particulars have been
and the court party, was their manage-  Knox,pp. 296-300. t 100merks Scots=-5, lls. 1 3-4d




A. D. 1562.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    61
the more exactly related, because, slight casting nobles had a very different
as they may seem, they indicate very scheme in view. If they could construct
correctly the main grounds of the hos- a kind of pseudo-prelacy, they might intility which began to arise between the duce some creatures of their own to acProtestant nobility and the ministers, and cept the title, while they should themalso serve to point out the course which selves, in the ame of those mercenary
that hostility was likely soon to take, and, sycophants, draw and enjoy the revenues.
in fact, did take.  The more that the This device seems to have been concocnobility became accustomed to the loose ted between Lord. Erskine, afterwards
manners prevalent in a court formed, as Earl of Mar, and the Earl of Morton.
far as possible, on the model of the licen-  [1562.]  The next General Assembly
tious court of France, the less were they met in June 1562. In it several matters
inclined to conform themselves to the of importance were transacted, tending
strict and pure morality of the Book of to the completion of the judicatorial arDiscipline. And naving given two-thirds rangements of the Church; such as the
of the patrimony of the Church to the appointment of the method oftrying, and,
popish clergy during the remainder of if necessary, censuring, superintendents,
their lives, they had rendered it impossi- ministers, and elders; authority to exble to comply with the scheme for sup- communicate the " inobedient;' and it
porting the poor and endowing schools was added, that " the magistrate, subject
and colleges.  The dilapidated state of to the rule of Christ, be not exeemed
the crown revenues had long rendered from the same punishment, being found
the Scottish monarchs in a great meas- guilty and inobedient.'"  It is observaure dependent on the gifts which they re- ble also, that in this Assembly the formal
ceived at times from the wealthiest of the style of supreme authority was usednobility, but more generally from  the " The haill Kirk appoints and decerns."
dignitaries of the Church. Had a por-   The only matters of public importance
tion of these two-thirds of the Church re- which occurred during the early part of
venues been devoted to the maintenance that year were, the elevation of Lord
of the crown, it might have been a wise James Stewart to the earldom of Murray;
and a just method of employing them, by which title he is henceforth to be
and lightening the public burdens of the known; and the rebellious enterprise of
country; but nothing could be more un- the Marquis of Huntly, in which he fell
just than to leave them in the possession in battle.  The death of Huntly weakenof such unworthy persons, and then to ed the popish party, and seemed to conrob the laborious preachers of the gospel, firm the influence of the Earl of Murray;
and give the pillage of their stinted al- but the infamous Earl of Bothwell, about
lowance to the queen.  There is reason the same time began that course of daring
to believe, that when the queen consent- intrigues which ended in the ruin of the
ed to this arrangement, she anticipated queen, and his own miserable death in a
the overthrow of the reformed Church, Danish prison.
and the re-establishment of the popish;  During the course of the summer of
and, in that case, she expected to retain that year, in consequence of the paucity
the entire third in her own hands, in ad- of ministers and superintendents, John
dition to what benefactions she might re- Knox was sent as a visitor, to preach and
ceive from the popish clergy. Although plant churches in Galloway, and George
this expectation was never realized, the Hay in Ayrshire.  Returning through
arrangement gave rise to another evil, the latter district, Knox held a public diswhich might have been, and perhaps putation with the Abbot of Crassaguel.
was foreseen.  The two-thirds were se- who had been induced to attempt the decured to the ejected clergy during their fence of Popery in that manner.  About
lives; but upon their deaths, how was the same time John Craig was appointed
this. large revenue to be bestowed?  It colleague to John Knox in Edinburgh,
might revert to the Church, and then the who was now beginning to sink beneath
scheme of the Book of Discipline might the intensity of his labours, which he had
be accomplished. This ought to have so long endured.
been the case; but some of the more fore-' Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 10.




62              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. III.
Another meeting of the General As- Knox himself to mitigate the zeal of the
sembly took   place in December, the western gentlemen; but, foiled in this
same year, in which it continued steadily attempt by his firmness, she promised to
to advance in the course of reformation, cause summon the offenders, and see
and of what might be not inaptly termed justice done.  Knox seems almost to
self-construction.  As many of the for- have believed her for once serious.  He
mer parish priests continued to reside in gave a favourable report of her intentheir parishes, and, without any formal tions, and this tended to allay the jealousy
abjuration of Popery, pretended to act as and indignation of the public mind.
parish ministers, the Assembly, to remedy  Mary seemed now on the point of rethis evil, prohibited from serving in the alizing the fruits of her deep and crafty
ministry all who had not satisfied the policy.  And, in order the more comChurch of their soundness in the faith, pletely to lull the Protestants into secuand had not been examined and approv- rity, she, on the 19th of May, caused the
ed by the superintendent; and it was archbishop of St. Andrews, and a numadded, " This act to have strength as ber of the principal Papists, to be arwell against them that are called bishops, raigned before the Lord Justice-General,
as others."  The same Assembly erected for transgressing the laws; and they,
provincial synods, to meet regularly aware probably of her politic design,
twice a-year, with power to translate as having come in her majesty's will, were
well as to appoint ministers. A commis- committed to ward. The Protestants in
sion was also nominated to treat with the general were highly delighted with this
lords of the privy. council, for the pur- instance of justice and impartial-seeming
pose of coming to an understanding as to administration of the laws of the queen;
the jurisdiction of the Church, manifestly and began to entertain sanguine expecwith the view of averting the danger of tations that she would now ratify the reany collision arising between two co- formed religion, and perhaps conform to
ordinate jurisdictions, the separate pro- it herself. Following up her scheme, she
vinces of which had not been defined and convoked a parliament, which met on the
settled by. mutual agreement.*  So early 21st of May. When Knox urged the
did the Church of Scotland anticipate Protestant lords to procure from  the
that danger, all the while proceeding in queen in this Parliament the complete
the exercise of that jurisdiction which ratification of the reformed Church, they
belonged to its sacred character and in- declined, referring to the present more
herent powers.                        favourable conduct of the queen, and the
[1563.] In the spring of the year inexpediency of urging such matters so
1563, an event occurred which had rapidly forward as to incur the hazard of
nearly hastened a direct conflict between giving her offence, and theieby renewing
the popish and the reformed parties her former hostility. The altercation beearlier than the temporizing policy of tween Knox and the Earl of Murray on
the queen would have wished.     The this subject became so hot, that it caused
knowledge of her favour, and the per- a total suspension of all friendly interceived disagreement between the Pro- course between them, which lasted for
testant lords and the ministers, gave such nearly two years, greatly to the injury of
encouragement to the popish party, that the Protestant cause.  So far had the
many of them openly celebrated mass at crafty policy of the queen prevailed with
Easter.  It will be recollected that this the nobility, that instead of demanding
had been prohibited by the parliament of the ratification of the treaty of Edin1560, on pain of very severe penalties, burgh, and the establishment of the Proamounting even to death for the third of- testant Church, they consented to receive
fence.  The Protestants, highly incensed an act of oblivion, securing indemnity
at this open violation of the law, resolved to those who had been engaged in the
to enforce it themselves, without farther late civil war.  The very mode of its
application to the queen, and even in enactment virtually implied the invalidity
disregard of her threatened displeasure. of the treaty in which it had been emThe queen at first endeavoured to induce bodied; for the Protestant lords, on their
* Booke of the Universall Kirk, pp. 12, 13.  bended knees, supplicated as a boon from




A. D. 1563.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    63
their sovereign, what they had formerly according to their request; but a copy of
won with their swords, and repeatedly it falling into the hands of Sinclair, bishop
demanded as their right.             of Ross, and president of the Court of
John Knox publicly and severely rep- Session, was by him transmitted to the
rehended the conduct of the Protestant queen at Stirling. She communicated it
lords; and, adverting to the report of the to her privy council, who, to her great
queen's marriage, which was then preva- satisfaction, pronounced it treasonable.
lent, predicted the consequences which This was what the queen had long
would ensue, if ever the nobility con- wished; and she accordingly gave orsented that their sovereign should marry ders that an extraordinary meeting of
a Papist. For this boldness, he was sum- councillors, assisted by other noblemen,
moned to appear before the queen in should be held at Edinburgh, to try the
council, and a very sharp altercation en- cause; and the reformer was summoned
sued between them, in which Knox de- to appear before this convention.
fended himself with unshaken firmness,  Previous to the day of trial, great inalike unmoved by her threatenings or her fluence was used in private to persuade
tears. She was persuaded, however, by him to acknowledge that he had committhe lords of the council, to abandon the ted a fault, and to throw himself on the
idea of a prosecution. "And so," says queen's mercy.  This neither the enKnox, "that storm quieted in appear- treaties of friends nor the threats of eneance, but never in the heart."       mies could prevail upon him to do. On
The storm in the heart had soon an- the day of trial, the public mind was exother opportunity of bursting forth. Du- cited to an intense degree of anxiety.
ring the residence of the queen at Stir- The cause. of the Reformation appeared
ling, in the month of August, the domes- to depend on the issue; and both parties
tics whom she had left behind her in Ho- regarded it with the most tremulous and
lyrood-house celebrated the popish wor- eager interest. Secretary Lethington took
ship with greater publicity than had been the disreputable office of accuser; but
usual, even when she was present. This was repeatedly and unbecomingly intergave great offence to the inhabitants of rupted by the queen herself, when she
Edinburgh; and a slight popular tumult, thought he was not prosecuting the matnot attended with injury, or even danger ter with sufficient point and force. Knox
to any one, ensued. Reports, extremely defended himself with such skill and
exaggerated, were carried to the queen, ability as to refute every accusation
who declared her determination not to brought against him. The main charge
return to Edinburgh until this riot was was that of illegally  convoking the
punished; and commanded two of the queen's lieges, and charging herself with
Protestants to be indicted to stand trial cruelty. This charge he met and anfor the offence said to be committed. swered, so as completely to bafflle both
Dreading an intention to proceed to ex- the sophistry of Lethington, and the antremities against these men, and that their gry vehemence of the queen. At length
condemnation would be a preparative to he was ordered to retire for that night;
some hostile attempt against their reli- and the judgment of the council was tagion, the Protestants in Edinburgh re- ken respecting his conduct.
solved that Knox, agreeably to a com-  All of them, with the exception of the
mission which he had received from the immediate dependents of the court, gave
Church, should write a circular letter it as their opinion that he had not been
to the principal gentlemen of the re- guility of any breach of the laws. The
formed faith, informing them of the cir- secretary, who had assured the queen of
cumstances, and requesting their pre- his condemnation, was enraged at this
sence on the day of trial. It will be re- decision. He brought her majesty, who
collected, that a similar course of proce- had previously retired, again into the
dure had been repeatedly adopted by the room, and proceeded to call the votes a
reformers in their previous contests with second time. This attempt to overawe
the queen-regent, so that it was cor- them incensed the nobility.  "What!"
pletely accordant with the usage of the said they, " shall the laird of Lethington
Church and nation. He wrote the letter have power to control us 2 or shall the




64              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP III.
presence of a woman cause us to offend liberty to appeal to the Synod, and, if neGod, and to condemn an innocent man, cessary, from the Synod to the General
against our consciences?"  They then Assembly, " from which it shall not be
repeated the vote which they had already lawful to the said party to appeal."
given, absolving Knox from all offence, There were also various other regulaand, at the same time, praising his modest tions framed for the perfecting of the juappearance, and the judicious manner in dicatorial powers and arrangements of
which he had conducted his defence.*  the Church.
The effects of this trial were various  It has been already stated, that in the
and extensive. The Protestant part of December meeting of Assembly, John
the community were justly indignant at Knox was vindicated from the accusation
the attempt made upon    Knox, and of having convoked the Protestant minalarmed with the proof thereby given of isters and elders on his own authority
the queen's determined hostility.  On alone.  By the same Assembly John
the other hand, the queen could not con- Willock was appointed moderator, or
trol her indignation at the reformer's president, "to prevent confusion in reaescape; and the effects of her resentment soning."  He was the first moderator of
fell upon those who had voted for his ex- the Church of Scotland. This Assembly
culpation, or failed to procure his con- also passed an act, expressing their conviction. The Earl of Murray lost her sent, "that for their own parts, tenants,
confidence; and even Lethington sunk and occupiers of the ground should have
in her favour. They attempted to in- their own teinds or tithes upon composiduce Knox to soothe her by a voluntary tion;"-a most important arrangement
submission; but to this he would not for setting free agricultural industry, preconsent. They next attempted to weaken venting harsh and vexatious exactions,
his influence among his brethren of the and removing one great cause of strife
ministry, representing to them that Knox between the Church and the people.
exercised a despotic and popish authority This act is another clear proof of the
in the Church, inconsistent with their wise and enlightened views of the Scotfreedom and equality.               tish reformers, who were in almost every
These secret machinations were met respect very far in advance of their age.
by Knox with his usual open and manly It may be mentioned also, that non-resiintrepidity of character. At the meeting dence was prohibited, and one minister
of the General Assembly in December suspended, by this Assembly.
of the same year, he refused to take part  [1564.] The year 1564 was not sigin the public deliberations of the Church, nalized by any events of peculiar importill an inquiry should be made into his tance; but the hostility between the Proconduct in writing the late circular let- testant ministers and the courtiers conter, and it should be declared whether he tinued unabated.  In the month of June
had gone beyond the commission with a conference was held between the prinvhich he had been intrusted.  The court cipal statesmen and the ministers of the
party endeavoured to prevent the discus- Church, respecting the liberty demanded
sion of this question; but it was taken up, and exercised by the latter of animadvertand the Assembly decided, by a great ing freely in the pulpit on every topic
majority, that he had been charged with which concerned the purity of public
such a commission, and that in the ad- morals and the welfare of religion. In
vertisement which he had lately given he an elaborate debate with Lethington,
had not exceeded his powers.         Knox defended the leading points of his
In the preceding Assembly, held in conduct and doctrine on this subject,
June, one of the most important princi- which had given offence to the court.
ples of our existing system of church " This debate," says Principal Robertgovernment was established.  It was son, "admirably displays the talents and
"statute and ordained," that any person character of both the disputants; the
thinking himself aggrieved by the sen- acuteness of the former, embellished with
tence of the kirk-session should have learning, but prone to subtlety; the vigorous understanding of the latter, delightKnox, pp. 338-343; M'Crie's Life of Knox, pp. ing in bold sentiments, and superior to




A. D. 1565.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     65
all fear."*  The reader who wishes to Mary, as likely to preclude any competiperuse a full statement of this debate may tion for the crown of either country.
turn to Knox's History of the Reforma-  It does not appear, however, that Mary
lion in Scotland, or to the account of it was swayed by such considerations, but
given in Dr. M'Crie's Life of the, re- by the sudden and strong passion which
former.t                              she conceived for the young nobleman
An Assembly was held in June, in himself, almost at the first interview bewhich a committee was appointed to tween them. Some of the deeper poli"reason and confer anent the causes of ticians had, it appears, anticipated as
the whole Kirk and jurisdiction thereof," much; and, in particular, Lethington had
and to report to next Assembly.  Per- exerted himself to procure permission
mission to go to foreign parts was refused from Elizabeth for the return of Lennox
to a minister applying for it, and he was and Darnley to Scotland; aware, as he
" ordained" not to leave his congrega- himself declared, that he was thereby
tion.  The sentence of suspension was likely to incur the direct hostility of the
taken off from another, and he was re- powerful house of Hamilton, whose
stored to his ministry. Another minis- hopes of succession to the Scottish throne
ter was deposed for contumacy.  Thus would be thwarted.     The Protestant
did the Church proceed, completing its lords, those of them at least whom court
arrangements, asserting its, authority, and influence had not succeeded in corrupting,
carrying its decrees into actual execution, were from the first dissatisfied with the
irrespective of tne frowns or smiles of queen's regard to Darnley, and opposed
parliaments and courts.              to her marriage. Darnley, had not, inThe Assembly met again in Decem- deed, exhibited any peculiar regard for
ber the same year, and directed seven ar- any religion; but so far as he had inditicles respecting the prohibition of the cated his predilections, he appeared to be
mass, the provision of the ministry, the inclined to Popery.  Every endeavour
reparation of kirks, &c., to be presented was made by the queen to procure the
to the privy council and the queen, re- consent of the nobility to her marriage
quiring an answer to each of the particu- with. Darnley.  She even promised to
lars.  The rest of its time was occupied grant the royal sanction to the legal eswith matters of discipline.           tablishment of the Protestant religion,
[1565.] The year 1565 began with which had been       hitherto evaded, as
events at first apparently of little moment, soon as a parliament could be conveniyet containing the germs of what proved ently assembled.  On this condition she
to be the cause of great individual and procured the consent of the greater part
national calamity.  Towards -the close of the nobles; but the Earl of Murray
of the preceding year, Matthew Stewart, continued to refuse, nor could either the
earl of Lennox, after an exile of twenty entreaties or the threatenings of the
years, obtained permission to return to queen move him to consent to a measure
Scotland, and was soon afterwards fol- which his better judgment strongly conlowed by his son, Henry Stewart, Lord demned.
Darnley.  It will be remembered by      The queen, finding herself thus opposthose who are acquainted with Scottish ed, resolved upon the ruin of Murray.
history, that Lennox, besides being him- For this purpose she recalled his perself of royal extraction, had received from  sonal enemy, the notorious. Bothwell, to
Henry VIII. in marriage, his own niece, court, and restored the Huntly family to
the Lady Margaret Douglas, uterine sis- their forfeited estates.and titles. Having
ter of James V. of Scotland.         thus strengthened her party, Mary hastDarnley was thus the nearest heir to ened her marriage with such precipitaboth the English and the Scottish crowns, tion as to anticipate any opposition; and
failing any direct heirs from the two on the 19th of July 1565, the nuptials
reigning queens, Elizabeth and Mary. were solemnized, and Darnley proclaimThere was, therefore, at least a political ed king, without the consent of the esconvenience m a union between him and tates of the kingdom.  As Murray had
refused his consent to the marriage, DarnRobertson's IHist. of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 109. ley was determined to revenge this oppot Knox's Hit. pp. 348-366; M'Crie, pp. 273-83.  ley was determined to revenge this oppo9




66              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,              [CHAP. III,
sition, and during his brief period of in- and misconstrued in subsequent times,
fluence over the queen, prevailed on her and especially of late.
to summon the earl to court. Aware of   The article itself was to the following
his danger, Murray refused to come, and effect:-" That provision be made for the
was immediately proclaimed an outlaw. sustentation of the ministers, as well for
He prepared to defend himself: and was the time present as for the time to come;
joined by the Hamiltons, the Earls of that such persons as are presented to the
Argyle, Glencairn, and Rothes, Lords ministry may have their livings assigned
Boyd and Ochiltree, and several inferior to them; that vacant benefices may be
barons. The queen allowed them    no dispensed to qualified and learned pertime to consolidate their strength; but sons, able to preach God's Word; that
hastily levying an army, advanced against no bishoi "ic, abbacy, &c., having many
them, herself leading on her troops with kirks annexed thereto, may be disponed
masculine spirit and energy, and pursu- to any one man."
ing them from place to place till they  To this the queen answered as follows:
took refuge in England.               -" That her majesty thinks it noway
While these events were in progress, reasonable that she should defraud herthe General Assembly met in Edinburgh self of so great a part of the patrimony of
on the 25th of June. This was before her crown, as to put the patronages of
the queen's marriage, and while she was benefices forth of her own hands; for her
busied in those artifices by which she own necessities in bearing of her great
hoped to accomplish her purpose. De- and common charges will require the resirous to secure support from any quarter tention of a good part in her own hands."
so long as difficulties were apprehended,  When the Assembly met in December
she had for a time endeavoured to concili- the same year, the queen's answers were
ate the Protestant ministers, and had ap- taken into consideration, and the replies
pointed a conference at Perth, in addi- of the Assemblyordered to beagaintranstion to her promises to call a parliament mitted to her majesty.  The reply to the
and ratify the establishment of the re- second article was as follows:-" It is
formed Church. Trusting a little to these not our meaning that her majesty, or any
favourable appearances, the Assembly other patron within this realm, should be
drew up six articles for her majesty's defrauded of their just patronages. But
consideration, desiring her to ratify and we mean, whensoever her majesty, or
approve them in the parliament about to any other patron, does present any perbe held. These articles were of the same son to a benefice, that the person presentgeneral tenor as those which had been ed should be tried and examined by the
repeatedly presented before; though they judgment of learned men of the Kirk,
were perhaps somewhat more fully stated, such as are presently the superintendents
in expectation, probably, of a ratification, appointed thereto: and as the presentawhich would require minute and specific tion of benefices pertains to the patron, so
detail in legal form. The queen, who ought the collation thereof, by law and
had no intention of calling a parliament, reason, appertain to the Kirk: of the
evaded an immediate answer, and con- which collation the Kirk should not be
tinued to encourage their expectations till defrauded, more than the patrons of their
after her marriage to Darnley. This presentation; for otherwise it shall be
took place, it will be remembered, on the lesum [lawful] to the patrons absolutely
19th of July. At length, on the 21st of to present whomsoever they please, withAugust, an answer was returned, suffi- out trial or examination: What then shall
ciently unfavourable.  To put an end to abide in the Kirk of God but ignorance
all their hopes of her own conversion, without all order? As to the second point,
she plainly declared that ".her majesty concerning the retention of a good part of
neither will nor may leave the religion the benefice in her majesty's own hands,
wherein she has been nourished and this point abhors so far from good conbrought up."  Her answer to the second science, as well of God's law as from the
article must be stated more fully, as it has public order of our common laws. Howfrequently been strangely misrepresented soever the retention of patronages of




A. D. 1566.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     67
benefices may appertain to herself, the  In the same Assembly the following
retention thereof in her own hands un- question was proposed: "What order
disponed to qualified persons, is both un- ought to be used against such as oppress
godly, and also contrary to all public or- children!"  The Assembly's answer
der, and brings no small confusion to the was,-" As concerning punishment, the
poor souls of the common people, who by civil magistrate ought therein to discern.
these means should be instructed of their As touching the slander, the offenders
salvation."*                         ought to be secluded from participation
It must, we think, be evident to every in the sacraments till they have satisfied
unprejudiced and intelligent person, that the Kirk, as they shall be commanded."
the queen's answer contained a sophism  In this clear answer the respective provinof that kind which consists in evasively ces of the civil and the ecclesiastical judisubstituting one thing for another, con- cateries are distinctly specified.
founding the distinction between them,  [1566.] The year 1566 was pregnant
and reasoning from the substituted topic, with events of a dark and disastrous charas if it were the real one.  The article acter. A decree had been passed by the
of the petition requested that provision be Council of Trent for the extirpation of the
made for the sustentation of the ministers. Protestant name; and the popish princes
The queen makes the topic of patronage had combined for carrying it into executhe chief point of her answer, yet so as tion.  In the beginning of February,
to exhibit her intention to avail herself of a messenger arrived from the cardinal of
the patronage for the purpose of retaining Lorraine, Mary's uncle, with a copy of
the benefice. It will be remembered that that infamous combination known in histhere were only about two hundred strictly tory as the League of Bayonne, and
lay patronages at the time of the Reform- Mary did not hesitate to set her name to
ation. With these, viewing them as de- the bloody bond. She seems to have
pendent upon and guarded by civil enact- considered herself now possessed of suffiments, the Church did not take it upon cient power to proceed to those extremiherself, of her own authority, to interfere, ties which, there is too much reason to
however much disposed to condemn them, believe, she had always contemplated.
as contrary to the principles and rules of Darnley had professed himself a convert
Scripture.  This was well known to the to Popery, and several of the noblemen
person by whom the queen's answer was had followed his example.  Murray and
framed, probably Lethington; and for the chief of the Protestant lords were in
this reason they were put prominently exile; and to render their return imposforward in the answer. But in the reply sible, Mary summoned them to appear
of the Church the two topics are sepa- before a parliament which was appointed
rated,-the lay patronages left as they to meet on the 12th of March. The
were, and the unprincipled and injurious Lords of the Articles were chosen acretention of the fruits of the benefice cording to the queen's pleasure; the
pointed out and condemned. The iniqui- popish ecclesiastics were restored to their
tous nature of the claim might be placed place in parliament; and the altars to be
in a still stronger light, when it is remem- erected in St. Giles's Church, for the cebl
bered, that two-thirds of the patrimony ebration of the Romish worship, were
of the Church had already been either already prepared.
allowed to the rejected clergy, or seized  But the hand of Providence arrested
upon by the rapacious nobility; and now these guilty machinations. Many of the
the queen, under pretence of her right to Protestant lords, who had hitherto supcertain patronages, unblushingly pro- ported the queen's measures against their
posed to retain the fruits of the benefices former confederates, began to take aiarm,
in her own hands.  Those who think to some from disappointed ambition, and
defend patronage by referring to such a some from better feelings and worthier
transaction, must be either unacquainted motives. The League of Bayonne, and
with its true nature themselves, or must the queen's accession to it, was not uncalculate largely on the ignorance of the known to them: and they could not hope
public.                             long to escape the fate to which all adheBooke of the Universall Kirk, pp, 34-37.  rents of the Protestant religion were




68              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IIl
thereby destined, if they did not anticipate Her condition retarded for a time the
the danger. JThey knew also, that Riz- prosecution of her designs; and on the
zio, the queen's private secretary, an Ital- 19th of June she gave birth to a prince,
ian by birth, was in the confidence of the afterwards James VI. of Scotland and I.
Continental princes, and the secret man- of England.
ager of their dark intrigues.  This per-  Little of importance was transacted in
son had been for some time treated with the Assembly which met in June, with
an undue degree of confidential regard the exception of an act appointing a naby the queen, and the jealousy of the tional fast, which was the first instance of
king had been excited against him. The the kind since the Reformation. The act
nobility formed a secret combination to was as follows:-" The haill Assembly,
seize upon Rizzio, and put him to an in respect of the perils and dangers whereopen and ignominious death; and avail- with the Kirk of God is assaulted, and
ing themselves of Darnley's jealousy, that by mighty enemies, considered a
they obtained the accession of both him  general fast to be published throughout
and his father to the plot. It is unneces- this realm in all kirks reformed."
sary to state the details, which are famil-  In the December meeting of Assembly,
iar to all. Rizzio was assassinated; the permission was granted to John Knox to
popish councillors fled from the palace; visit England; and a letter was addressed
the exiled lords returned out of England; by the Assembly to the English Church,
and the queen's prospects of accomplish- for the purpose of endeavouring to allay
ing her designs being entirely frustrated, the contentions then raging respecting
the parliament was prorogued, without the forms, ceremonies, and dresses, which
accomplishing any of the objects for the high prelatic party wished to impose
which it had been assembled. It may be upon their more simple-minded brethren.
mentioned, in passing, that Mr. Tytler In this apparently trivial cause of contentakes the credit, as he probably regards tion, it may be remarked, lay the germs
it, of having discovered that John Knox of the division of the Church of England
was one of those who were engaged in into two great parties, the High Churchthe conspiracy for the assassination of men and the Puritans, and, more reRizzio.*  Certainly so grave a charge, motely, of the great civil war of next
and so improbable, was never brought century. This Assembly also "Ordained
forward and maintained on evidence so a humble supplication to be made to the
slender, nay, so absolutely incredible. Lords of the Secret Council, anent the
Its utter groundlessness has been demon- commission  of jurisdiction  supposed
strated by the Rev. Thomas M'Crie. son granted to the bishop of St. Andrews, to
of the historian of Knox; and the calum- the effect that their Honours stay the
nious accusation deserves no farther no- same, in respect that these causes, for the
tice.t                               most part judged by his usurped authorThe wrath of the queen against the ity, pertain to the true Kirk."  Thus did
murderers of Rizzio was so extreme, that the General Assembly not only define
it burned out, for a time, all other wrath. and assert, but vigilantly defend its proThe exiled lords, Murray, Glencairn, per jurisdiction.
Ochiltree, and others, were forgiven, or  [1567.] The public affairs of the year
passed over, though not restored to fa- 1567 seemed the bursting of the black
vour as before. But although the Queen thunder-cloud which had hung its balemanaged to detach her weak husband ful gloom over the greater part of the
from the confederacy, and thus broke it preceding year. The weak, rash, and
asunder, she never forgave him, nor vindictive Darnley had become an object
showed him the least regard.  She had of utter abhorrence to the ill-fated,
dried her tears that she might " study re- haughty, and revengeful queen. Her
venge," as she herself declared; and in own too manifest predilection for Both.
the daring and unprincipled Earl of well encouraged that licentious and aspirBothwell she found a fitting instrument. ing man to proceed to the perpetration of
a crime of the blackest dye, by which he'Tytler's Hist. of Scotland, ol. vii. p. 25 and 427. trusted to reach the summit of his ambi.
t See Mr. M'Crie's Historical Sketches, Appendix,.  arn, d, d.irit, 
and note in Appendix.                tion.  Darnley, despised, dispirited, and




A. D. 1567]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    69
suffering under disease, was decoyed to was provided, that no prince should afterEdinburgh, lodged in a solitary dwelling wards be admitted to the exercise of auat the Kirk of Field, and murdered on the thority in the kingdom, without taking an
morning of the 10th of February, the oath to maintain the Protestant religion;
house in which he lay being blown up and that none but Protestants should be
with gunpowder. Bothwell was accused admitted to any office, with the exception
of the crime; but his own ill-got power, of those that were hereditary, or held for
and the favour of the queen, screened the life.  It was ordained, that the exarinamurderer from justice.               tion and admission of ministers be only
The marriage of Maryto the infamous in the power of the Church, reserving
Bothwell completed at once her crimes the presentation of lay patronages to the
and her ruin. After an abortive attempt ancient patrons. The ecclesiastical jurisby Bothwell to obtain possession of the diction exercised by the Assemblies of
infant prince, the nobility formed a con- the Church was formally ratified, and
federacy to avenge the king's death, and commissioners appointed to define more
protect their infant sovereign. The per- exactly the causes which came within
petration of some deed of great enormity the sphere of their judgment. The thirds
seems frequently to paralyze the criminal. of benefices were appointed to be paid at
Mary's energy of character appeared to first-hand to collectors nominated by the
have forsaken her immediately after the Church, who, after paying the stipends
murder of Darnley.  No longer could of the ministers, were to account to she
she, by either force or guile, conquer or Exchequer for the surplus. And ihe
circumvent her antagonists. Her troops funds of provostries, prebendaries, and
would not fight for her and her blood- chaplainries, were appropriated to mainstained paramour; Bothwell fled, and tain bursars in colleges.*
Mary was committed to Lochleven Cas-   No difference of tone or manner aptie. Her subsequent escape from Loch- pears in the proceedings of the General
leven,-the rallying of the Hamiltons Assembly, which met on December the
and their adherents rounds her standard, 25th, a few days subsequent to the meet
-her defeat, flight to England, pro- ing of that parliament by which its existtracted imprisonment, and melancholy ence and jurisdiction were legally recogdeath,-are all well known to the read- nised and ratified. It went calmly and
ers of Scottish history, and need not far- steadily forward in the prosecution of
ther occupy our pages.              those sacred duties which owed neither
During these troubled and guilty times their existence, their validity, nor their
the Assembly met in June, as usual, and continuation, to any  earthly  power.
soon after adjourned to July. At the Commissioners were appointed to colatter meeting, the confederate lords spe- operate with " six persons of parliament,
cified a number of articles highly favour- or secret council," nominated by the reable to the Church, which they expressed gent, "for such affairs as pertain to the
their intention to have granted at the next Kirk, and jurisdiction thereof." " Adam,
lawful parliament that should be held.  called bishop of Orkney," was deprived
Before the next meeting of Assembly, of all " function of the ministry," for
in December, the regency had been con- marrying the queen to Bothwell. John
ferred on the Earl of Murray, who had Craig was commanded to give in a writreturned from  France, and was thus ten statement of his conduct in proclaimraised to the head of the government. ing the banns of marriage between the
On the 15th of December parliament met. queen and Bothwell: from which stateJohn Knox preached at the opening of ment it appeared that he had acted in a
parliament, and exhorted them to begin manner to deserve not only acquittal, but
with the affairs of religion, in which case approbation. The Countess of Argyle
they would find better success in their submitted to the discipline and censure
other business. The parliament ratified of the Church, "for having given her
all the acts which had been passed in assistance and presence to the baptizing
1560, in favour of the Protestant religion of the king in' a papistical manner."
and against Popery.  Several new stat-  The reformed Church was now leutes of a similar kind were added. It ~ Act Parl. Scot. III., pp. 14-25. See also Appendix.




70              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. II1.
gaily recognised as the only National ing fortitude, while he pities and prays
Church,-not, it will be observed, created for his blind and self-willed antagonists.
by statute; not deriving its existence  The limits to which we purpose refrom  acts of parliament, as has been stricting ourselves in this work will not
strangely and perversely, if not igno- permit us to enter into details of a very
rantly asserted; but distinctly and spe- minute character; but one or two statecifically recognised as pre-existent, and ments may be made, calculated to interest
the powers and jurisdiction which it had the reader. It has been stated that the
already been exercising, in virtue of the first General Assembly, in 1560, consacred character and authority derived tained but forty members, only six of
from its Divine Head and King, merely whom were ministers; and that there
ratified and confirmed, so as to place it were no more than twelve Protestant
in a state of safety from the open assaults ministers at that time in Scotland. When
and persecutions of any human power. the Assembly met on the 20th of DecemIt has been thought necessary to be some- ber 1567, exactly seven years afterwards,
what minute in tracing the rise of the the Church of Scotland could number
Church of Scotland, and the manner in two hundred and fifty-two ministers, four
which it exercised its ecclesiastical powers hundred and sixty-seven readers, and one
previous to its recognition by parliament, hundred and fifty-four exhorters.  How
for the purpose of showing that those mighty the increase in soshort a period I
powers are wholly and purely self-origi- And yet these seven years had beer
nated, and not one of them created and spent in an incessant struggle against a
conferred by statute law. While still hostile government, bent on the destrucstruggling against direct persecution, or tion of the Church by every artifice that
the secret stratagems of insidious foes, craft and malice could suggest.  And
the General Assembly of the Church of while the Church was thus waxing
Scotland rose into personal and active stronger and stronger in spite of all opbeing,-put forth supreme legislative position, its internal progress in improvepowers in regard to the constitution and ment of doctrine and discipline was not
government of the Church,-sanctioned less rapid, steady, and decided, than its
the office of elder on the authority of the manifest external increase.  Offenders
sacred Scriptures,-gave existence and of every kind and degree were compellpowers to kirk-sessions,-appointed the ed to yield obedience to its sacred authorimportant though temporary office of su- ity: noblemen and ladies of the highest
perintendents and visitors,-erected pro- rank submitted to its disciplinary cenvincial synods,-and inflicted on offend- sures; lordly prelates were constrained
ers of all ranks, according to their offence to bow their unmitred heads before its
and its distinctive judgments, the discipli- rebuke; over the refractory members of
nary and executive sentences of suspen- its own body,-over one even of its early
sion, deposition, and excommunication. champions, Paul Methven,-its power
And is it now to be asserted that the was extended in the impartial administraChurch of Scotland is the "creature of tion of even-handed spiritual justice; and
the state!"-the creature of a hostile even the stormy tumults of a fierce and
power, which would have crushed it in turbulent populace were often quelled
its infancy, had that been possible!-or and hushed into peace and silence at the
that the Church of Scotland lost her in- utterance of its calm and grave command.
herent powers by means of the very en- Whence comes that invincible and allactments which gratefully recognised and controlling energy?  How were these
sanctioned them! Such assertions mere wondrous deeds achieved?   May we
lawyers may utter and pretend to believe; not answer in the solemn words of the
but the common sense and right feelings inspired prophet,-" Not by might, nor
of mankind in general will ever reject by power, but by my Spirit, saith the
them with indignant scorn; and the true Lord of Hosts."  That there must have
Christian will do as did his venerated been a marvellous amount of the divine
ancestors,-reject and resist them  with influence accompanying all the exertions
uncompromising firmness and unyield- of the Church of Scotland, when the




A. D. 1569.1    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   71
walls of her temple were thus built in accomplish was, to cause a more regular
troublous tines, we cannot, and we do and faithful payment of the third part of
not doubt: for nothing else could have the ancient Church revenues, and to pregiven to means so inadequate a triumph vent any new encroachments from being
so complete. And let it be well marked made upon them.
and understood, that there is perhaps no  [1569.] It is neither our province nor
clearer proof of the presence of the Spirit our inclination to trace civil affairs, or to
of God in the movements of a Church, intermingle more of them in this work
than when that Church pursues unswerv- than may be necessary for the right
ingly the course marked out by the prin- understanding of the affairs of the
ciples of the Word of God, refusing to be Church.  The civil matters of chief imturned aside by all the motives which portance which occurred during this pehuman prudence, apparent expediency, riod were those which arose out of the
and worldly policy can suggest; and no struggle between Murra3 and the partisurer evidence that she has begun to for- zans of Mary, headed by the Hamilton
sake God, and to be by Him forsaken, family. Lethington joined the queen's
than when she begins to mould her party, and became the very soul of all
measures into conformity with the crook- their measures. Not only did he plan
ed and selfish schemes so natural to the and conduct the intrigues with the Duke
guileful heart and darkened mind of of Norfolk, but he even contrived to
fallen and sinful man.              seduce Kirkaldy of Grange from his long
[1568.] Although the mind of the com- friendship with Murray. The firm, prumunity was intensely occupied with the dent, and vigorous conduct of the regent
contentions which arose between the par- enabled him for a time to make head
tizans of Mary and the adherents of the against all open adversaries; and he
regent, the affairs of religion were not steadily refused to protect himself from
neglected. The Assembly held its usual the danger of assassination, by cutting off
meetings, and continued to watch over such persons as were strongly suspected
the religious welfare of the kingdom  of plotting against his life. The noble
with undiminished vigilance. Proceed- magnanimity of his nature would not pering with the completion of their ecclesi- mit him to resort to such a method for
astical arrangements, they passed an act preserving a life more valuable to his
in July, regulating the constitution of country than it seemed to be to himself.
Assemblies, and prescribing who the In vain was he'repeatedly warned to be
members were to be, and how they were on his guard.  It seemed to be his
to be elected. An act was passed also maxim, that it was better to die than to
for the suppression of a book entitled the live haunted by suspicious fears. And
Fall of the Roman Kirk, in which the notwithstanding the almost incessant conking was named as the " Supreme Head flicts with the opposite faction in which
of the primitive Kirk."  By this it was he was engaged, he reformed abuses,
emphatically proved that the Church of maintained public order, and administerScotland would own no earthly Head. ed justice with steady and impartial hand,
The Assembly renewed its applications so as to earn from his grateful country
to the civil powers for a better distribu- the honourableappellation of THE GOOD
tion of the patrimony of the Church, and REGENT.
a more adequate support to the minister:  No transactions of any peculiar imbut although Murray was personally dis- portance took place in the Assembly in
posed to grant the request, his political this year. It may, however, be stated,
power was not sufficiently confirmed to that the Assembly renewed, in urgent
enable him to act according to his own terms, the expression of their earnest deinclination. He returned answers couch- sire, " that the jurisdiction of the Kirk
ed in the most favourable terms; but there may be separated from that which is
were too many of his own supporters civil." To this the Church was impelled
among those who had seized upon the by the conviction, that the drawing of
property of the Church, for him to ven- a clear and definite line of distinction beture to dispossess the spoliators of their tween the jurisdiction of the Church and
ill-got gains. The utmost that he could the civil magistrate was essentially neces



72              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. III.
sary for securing  the purity of the    So died the Good Regent Murray, a
Church and the peace of the community; man of great natural ability, thoroughly
and while the ecclesiastical courts were tried in many an adverse scene, of unanxious to prevent encroachments upon impeachable integrity, a skilful warrior,
their own sacred province, they were a wise statesman, an upright judge, and
equally desirous to avoid the accusation, an impartial ruler.  The chief aspect of
or even the suspicion, of being disposed his private character was that frank and
to interfere with matters purely secular. open manliness which suspects no evil
The often-repeated and earnest request of because it entertains none; and a deep
the Church to have the boundaries be- and earnest personal piety imparted a
tween the civil and the ecclesiastical sacred grace to all the virtues which
jurisdictions distinctly marked out, ought adorned him as a man and a Christian.
to vindicate her from the charge of grasp. During the short period of his regency
ing at powers not naturally within her he gave to the world one of the brightest
sphere.                               examples ever yet recorded in its annals,
[1570.] The year 1570 was ushered in of that rare and truly glorious character,
by an event pregnant with disaster to the a CHRISTIAN STATESMAN.*
kingdom  and the Church of Scotland.    The death of the Regent Murray was
The Regent Murray had hitherto baffled not only lamented by the Church to
every attempt to overthrow his power by which he had been a protector, if not a
direct hostility; and, as invariably hap- benefactor, but was soon regretted by all
pens, the failure of every successive at- parties as a national calamity. Several
tempt to shake his influence served but to months elapsed before a successor in the
give it additional firmness and solidity. regency could be appointed, in conseDespairing of success by open force, his quence of the nearly-balanced power of
enemies became the more resolved to the contending parties. At length the
employ the hand of the private assassin. choice fell upon the Earl of Lennox, not
A fitting instrument was soon found for so much on account of his personal fitness
the perpetration of the bloody crime. for the arduous duties of that high
Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a nephew   station, as because of his relationship to
of the archbishop of St. Andrews, whose the young king, whose grandfather he
life Murray had spared after the battle of was. It soon appeared that Lennox was
Langside, undertook the murder of the deficient in the abilities necessary for
man wlho had restored him to life and swaying the government of a nation so
liberty.  With cool, deliberate determi- rent by faction as Scotland at that time
nation, he followed the regent from place was; one party supporting the young
to place, till he found an opportunity as king and the regency, the other contendMurray was passing slowly through a ing for the restoration of the queen.
narrow  and crowded street in Linlith- The whole kingdom was devastated by
gowv; and, taking   his stand at the fierce and relentless civil wars; the two
window of a room carefully prepared for contending  parties being so equally
concealment, shot his victim through the matched, that neither could acquire a
body with a musket-ball, on the 23d day decided superiority over its antagonist.
of January 1570.  The murderer fled to The Church lent its influence to the supHamilton, where he was received with port of the king's party and the regency,
great applause by the base instigator of but was unable to mitigate to any extent
his crime.*  The wound proved mortal the fury of the civil broils by which the
in the course of a few hours; but it de- kingdom was distracted.
serves to be recorded, that while the   Little of importance was transacted in
friends of the dying regent, standing the meetings of Assembly in this year,
around his bed, were lamenting that the distressed state of the country enhe had spared the life of his murderer, grossing the attention of all classes. It
he replied, that nothing  should ever may, however, be noticed, that the hosmake him regret having done a deed of tility of the queen's faction was so great
mercy.
* For a strikingly accurate and able view of the
Spotswood, p. 233; Calderwood MSS.; Banna- character of Murray, see M'Crie's Life of Knox, pp.
lyne's Journal, p. 4; Buchanan.       307-309.




A. D. 1571.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    73
against Knox, that his own congrega- fices as they became vacant, and approtion prevailed on him to leave Edin- priated them to themselves without scruburgh, the castle being in the possession pie, could they have done so without a
of his enemies, and to retire to St. An- violation of all law and reason too gladrews.  While residing in the latter ring for even these unscrupulous men.
town, he was engaged in some contro- To have secularized them at once was a
versy with Robert and Archibald Ham- measure for which they were not preilton, partly in vindicating his own char- pared; and, indeed, they must have been
acter from calumnious aspersions, partly well aware, that to do so would only be
in defending the liberty of the pulpit from  to throw another element of strife into the
the attempt of one of the professors to seething whirlpool of contention with
subject it to the judgment of the uni- which the country was agitated.  The
versitV.                             Earl of Morton found means to solve this
[1571.] In the Assembly which met difficulty. Upon the death of Hamilton,
in March 1571, there were six articles archbishop of St. Andrews, Morton obstated respecting the jurisdiction of the tained a grant empowering him to disChurch, to be proposed to the regent and pose of the archbishopric and its revethe privy council, for their approbation. nues. As it was unseemly for him to
The chief of these were,-that the Church hold a benefice which the law declared
nave the judgment of true and false doc- to be ecclesiastical, while his avarice
trine,-of election, examination, and ad- stimulated him not to let the golden prize
mission to the ministry,-and of all mat- elude his grasp, he devised the scheme
ters concerning the discipline of the of appointing to the archbishopric a minChurch,-with the power to enforce its ister with whom he had entered into a
own decisions by admonition, deposition, previous arrangement, that while his
and excommunication. It ought to be nominee held the title, he should enjoy
observed, that the Church did not ask the the principal part of the revenues.  In
civil power to grant her jurisdiction in pursuance of this scheme, Morton nomithese matters, for she had exercised it in nated John Douglas, rector of the Unithem all previous to her recognition in versity of St. Andrews, to the archbishop1567; but merely that she should meet ric. This nefarious transaction set the
no obstruction in the exercise of her own example to the nobility, who perceiving
inherent and essential powers.       how it might be imitated for their own
But a storm was at hand, by which the private and selfish ends, supported MorChurch of Scotland was to be severely ton, and prepared to render it systematic
tried.  Reference has been repeatedly and universal.
made to the avaricious conduct of the no-  The danger to the interests of religion
bility, in seizing upon the revenues of certain to arise out of this selfish and corthe Church, and keeping the ministers in rupt scheme, did not escape the penetrapoverty.  It will be remembered also, ting eye of Knox, by whom, indeed, it
that the popish prelates had been allowed had been previously suspected. He was
to retain two-thirds of the revenues of the at that time at St. Andrews, too weak in
larger benefices during their lifetime, bodily health to be able to attend a meetalthough they were no longer recognised ing of Assembly, which was to be held
as any part of the National Church. at Stirling in August 1571, in conseSeveral of these larger benefices had be- quence of the dangerous state of Edingun to become vacant by the death or the burgh, the castle being still in possession
forfeiture of the incumbents, and it was of the queen's party. In a letter to this
necessary to determine in what manner Assembly, he warned them of the nature
they were to be disposed of. Had the of the struggle in which they were about
uniform request of the Church been at- to engage, the certainty that it would be
tended to, this would not have been a severe and protracted, and the necessity
matter of any difficulty: she had always of courage, perseverance, and the most
required that they should be divided, and strenuous exertions in so good a cause.*
applied to the support of the religious and The Assembly gave in their remonstran-'iterary establishments. Willingly would ces to a parliament which met in Stirling
the nobility have seized these large bene-  Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 128.
10




74              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. III
in the end of August, especially protest- him letters prohibiting the collectors of
ing against Douglas taking a seat in par- tithes in St. Andrews from raising the
liament and voting, on pain of excommu- money, because they had refused to benication.  Morton, on the other hand, stow the sums raised on his creature
whose influence was paramount in par- D.ouglas; but Erskine of Dun having
liament, commanded him to vote, as arch- written a very strong remonstrance to the
bishop of St. Andrews, on pain of trea- regent against such proceedings, -this
son.* The commissioners of the Church direct aggression was recalled.  In this
presented also the articles respecting the letter Erskine manifests a very clear perjurisdiction of the Church, which had ception of the essential distinction bebeen previously agreed upon by the As- tween the civil and ecclesiastical jurissembly.                              dictions. "There is," says he, "' a spiritWhile the parliament was sitting at ual jurisdiction and power, which God
Stirling, a bold attempt was made by the has given unto his Kirk, and to them
queen's party to end the war by one blow. that bear office therein; and there is a
A considerable body of men marched temporal jurisdiction and power given of
under night with great speed and secrecy God to kings and civil magistrates. Both
to Stirling, entered the town before any the powers are of God, and most agree
alarm was given, assailed the houses in to the fortifying one of the other, if they
which the nobility were lodged, seized be right used. But when the corruption
on them, and on the regent himself, and of man enters in, confounding the offices,
endeavoured to carry them off prisoners usurping to himself what he pleases, noto Edinburgh. But their progress had thing regarding the good order appointed
been retarded by the vigorous defence of God, then confusion follows in all esmade by the Earl of Morton, who beat tates. The Kirk of God should fortify
back the assailants till the house was set all lawful power and authority that peron fire, and thereby gave time to the Earl tains to the civil magistrate, because it is
of Mar to hasten from the castle to the the ordinance of God. But if he pass the
rescue of the regent and the nobility. bounds of his office, and enter within the
Finding themselves baffled in their at- sanctuary of the Lord, meddling with
tempt, the assailants fled; but the regent such things as appertain to the ministers
was killed by command of Lord Claude of God's Kirk, then the servants of God
Hamilton, in revenge for the death of the should withstand his unjust enterprise,
archbishop of St. Andrews. This disas- for so are they commanded of God."*
trous event took place on the 3d of Sep-  This clear and strong assertion of the
tember; and on the 5th, the Earl of Mar distinction between the respective juriswas appointed regent.  This change in diction of the courts civil and spiritual, is
the regency was productive of no advan- of double importance, both as showing
tage to the Church; for though Mar was the sentiments of such a man as John
not disposed to tyrannize himself, he had Erskine of Dun, whose chief failing was
several years before laid hold of a large a tendency to yield disputed matters for
portion of church property, which he was the sake of peace; and also as proving
not inclined to relinquish, and he was, beyond all question what were the views
besides, very much under the influence on that vital point of the Church of Scotof the Earl of Morton, whose feelings land in the days of the first reformers.
were decidedly hostile to the Church, as It may be added, that in the same letter
he had sufficiently indicated only a few  Erskine " lamented from his very heart
days before, when he told the commis- the great disorder used in Stirling at the
sioners of the Church, that "he would last parliament, in creating bishops, plalay their pride, and put order to them."t cing them, and giving them vote in parThe Earl of Mar, however, was not liament as bishops, in despite of the Kirk,
disposed to press forward these innova- and high contempt of God, the Kirk options with so high a hand as Morton posing herself against that disorder:" so
would havedone. Morton procured from  little favour did the idea of Protestant
bishops find in the opinion of our re-' Calderwood, p. 48; Bannatyne's Memorials, p. 183.
t Calderwood, p. 48.' Bannatyne's Mem., pp. 197-204; Calderwood, p. 48.




A. D. 1572.]     HISTORY OF THE CIHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      75
forming ancestors. Even Dr. Cook terms   The convention of Leith agreed that,
this measure " plainly subversive of ec-" in consideration of the present time,"
clesiastical right;"* although that rever- the titles of archbishops and bishops,
end and learned historian appears to re- and the bounds of dioceses, should regard the subversion of ecclesiastical right main as formerly, at least until the king's
as consisting in this measure being majority, or until the parliament should
" adopted without the concurrence of the make a different arrangement; that such
Church, and even in express opposition as were admitted to bishoprics should be
to it;" whereas, he seems to insinuate, of due age and scriptural qualifications 
to have first corrupted the Church, and that they should be chosen by a chapter,
then changed its constitution, would have or assembly of learned ministers; and
been no such subversion.   The regent that they should have no greater jurisappears to have been of the same opin- diction than was already -ossessed by
ion; for he changed his measures so far superintendents, but should, like them,
as to recall the letters which had drawn be subject to the General Assemblies of
forth Erskine's remonstrance; and wrote the Church in Spiritual, as they were to
an explanatory letter, in which he com- the King in temporal matters.    The
plains that his intentions were misunder- reader is requested to mark well this latstood, and that "the fault of the whole ter article, subjecting these prelates to
stands in this, that the policy of the Kirk the authority of the General Assembly.
of Scotland is not perfect, nor any solid It was inserted, doubtless, for the purconference among godly men, that are pose of inducing the Church to agree the
well willed and of judgment, how the more readily to this great innovation;
same may be helped."t                  but remaining unrepealed, it proved in
It would appear that the regent's influ- after years the means by  which the
ence had prevailed upon Erskine to yield Church was enabled to overthrow Prefarther than his own principles would lacy, and restore the original constitution
have sanctioned. A convention of min- of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
isters had been appointed to confer with Arrangements of a similar nature were
the privy council, on the 6th of Decem- made with regard to abbacies, priories,
her.   This was postponed, in conse- &c.; so that, while the holder of these
quence of Erskine's letter to the regent; large benefices were to be admitted to sit
but another was soon afterwards appoint- in parliament, and to be members of the
ed to meet in Leith, for the same purpose. College of Justice, as such dignitaries
[1572.1 On the 12th of January 1572, had done before the Reformation, they
the regent convened the superintendents were to be admitted after due trial by the
and certain ministers at Leith, to consult Church, and still to be amenable to her
on the best method of allaying the dis- supreme court.  This agreement was
sension which had arisen between the immediately confirmed by the regent and
court and the Church. This convention council, who engaged to persuade the
imprudently and wrongfully assumed to lay patrons of churches to conform to
itself the powers of a General Assembly; such  of its regulations as concerned
and, advancing in its erroneous course, them.
devolved the whole business on a few of  By this strange heterogeneous comits members, authorising them  to meet pound of Popery, Prelacy, and Presbywith such persons as should be appointed tery, the avaricious nobility imagined
by the privy council, and agreeing to they had secured their long-cherished
ratify whatever they might determine, design of obtaining for themselves the
agreeably to their instructions.  A joint real possession  of the wealth of the
committee was accordingly formed of six Church, while it was nominally held by
of the privy council and six ministers, these mean sycophants: and although
who proceeded with strange and reck- the true nature of the transaction was
less haste in the arrangement of matters of Morton, Lord Ruthven. Robert, abbot of Dunfermof such great national importance.S   line, Sir John Bellenden, Mr. James M-Gill, and Colin
Campbell of Glenorchy, of privy council; John Erskine,
* Cook's History of the Church of Scotland, vol. i. John Winram, Andrew Hay, David Lindsay, Robert
p. 169.    t Bannatyne's Mem., p. 206.  Pont, and John Craig, ministers. See Spotswood, p.
I The names of the persons forming this convention 260; Calderwood, MSS., vol. ii. p. 310, &c Drinted
deserve to be recorded, not to their honour: the Earl Calderwood, pp. 50-54.




76              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP III.
not suffered to appear in their records, and a committee was appointed to exthe object was well enough understood amine the subject.  The report of the
by the country in general, as appears committee disclaimed the intention of
from the designation given to the new  giving any countenance to popish superorder of bishops. In allusion to a cus- stitions, by the titles recognised in the
tom at that time prevalent in the High- convention; and protested that the heads
lands, of placing a calf's skin stuffed and articles thereat agreed on be receivwith straw, called a tulchan, before cows ed only as an interim, till farther order
to induce them to give their milk, those may be obtained at the hands of the
who were placed in this new prelatic king's majesty, regent, and nobility, for
order were called tulchan bishops. " The which they will press as occasion shall
bishop," says Calderwood, " had the ti- serve.*  To that Assembly John Knox
tle, but my lord got the milk or com- sent a letter, in which he took a solemn
moditie."                            farewell of them, and of all public affairs,
Having thus obtained the apparent commending the Church earnestly to the
sanction of the Church to these guileful protection of God, and imploring the
proceedings, the nobility, led by Morton, divine grace to strengthen them for the
hastened to put them in execution.  The contest they had still to wage. In a mesarchbishopric of St. Andrews was con- sage accompanying that letter he proferred on John Douglas, as had been posed several topics for their considerapreviously attempted; and he was pub- tion, to be turned into acts of Assembly
licly installed in his office, his ordination if approved of; and in these topics may
being performed by men who were not be traced. the deep and far-seeing pruthemselves bishops. The Earl of Mor- dence of the great Reformer.  He did
ton had the effrontery to request John not advise a direct opposition to the
Knox to inaugurate Douglas; but he articles of the convention of Leith, being
positively refused, and pronounced an probably but too well aware, that those
anathema against both the giver and the to whom the management of the affairs
receiver of the bishopric; and when the of the Church would now fall, did not
Assembly met in St. Andrews a few possess the courage and decision of mind
weeks afterwards, and the matters agreed requisite for such a struggle; but he reupon by the convention of Leith came to commended a measure which, if it had
be discussed, Knox opposed himself di- been adopted and enforced, would have
rectly and zealously to the making of defeated the mercenary views of both the
bishops.*  Even Patrick Adamson at nobility and their tulchan bishops. But
that time was a strenuous opponent of though his advice was approved of, the
Prelacy; though, as James Melville courage and energy to carry it into exeshrewdly conjectures, his zeal may have cution were not found; and the articles
been caused at his disappointment at not of the ill-omened convention were allowobtaining one of the new  bishopricks. ed for a time to produce their baneful
"There were," said Adamson, "three consequences, in the corruption of the
sorts of bishops: my lord bishop, my Church, and the enjoyment of their pillord's bishop, and the Lord's bishop. lage by the rapacious nobility.
My lord bishop was in the papistrie;   The public national affairs of this
my lord's bishop is now, when my lord year may be very briefly stated.  The
gets the benefice, and the bishop serves earl of Mar, who had been elevated to
for nothing but to make his title sure; the regency upon the death of Lennox,
and the Lord's bishop is the true minister was, though not a little of an avaricious
of the Gospel."t  It had been well for man, well-disposed and unwilling to exAdamson if he had always continued to cite strife, or to see it prolonged. But he
maintain and act upon such sound and was overruled by the earl of Morton,
scriptural opinions.                 and thereby brought into collision with
At the Assembly which met in Perth, the Church; and he was not able either
in August the same year, the convention to compel the queen's party to submit, or
of Leith came again under consideration, to procure a satisfactory termination of
elville' Diary, p.  those dire hostilities by which the king
IbiMe., p25; Calderwoodary, p, 55.  Booke of the 24ners  Kirk, p33
t Ibid., p. 25; Calderwood, p, 55.' Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 133.




A. D. 1574.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    77
dom was devastated. Anxiety of mind is respondence with queen Elizabeth, and
said to have contributed greatly to the guided all his policy according to her
bringing on of the disease of which he maxims and example. And perceiving
died on the 29th of October 1572. Soon how skillfully she contrived to make her
after his death the earl of Morton suc- influence, as head of the Church of Engceeded to the regency, of which he had land, bend all the bishops into complete
for some time wanted little but the name. subserviency to her will, and through
On the very day in which Morton was them, to mould the mind of the nation,
appointed regent, the 24th of November, he was the more confirmed in his deterJohn Knox, the Scottish reformer, rested mination to change the entire constitution
from his long and arduous labours; and of the Church of Scotland, till it should
on the 26th, the newly-elected regent, ac- become as prelatic and as accommodatcompanied by all the nobility at that time ing as that of England.  This, he had
in Edinburgh, and a great concourse of sagacity enough to perceive, could be
people, attended his funeral.  When done only by rendering it as corrupt and
the body was lowered into the grave, the worldly  as possible;  which, again,
regent, himself one of the daring race could be best accomplished by placing
of Douglas, gazing thoughtfully into the sycophants and unprincipled men in these
open sepulchre; gave utterance to what, nominally influential positions which
from his lips, was a most emphatic eulo- he had created and forced upon the
gium, " THERPE LIES HE WHO NEVER Church. But, not content with his tulFEARED THE FACE OF MAN."            chan bishops, he endeavoured further to
The death of Knox at such a juncture impoverish the Church, that he might
was a serious calamity to the Church of thereby both enrich himself,-a matter
Scotland.  Morton knew well that he which he never neglected,-and at the
had now men of a different character to same time induce its poverty, if not its
deal with,-men who might be cajoled, will, to consent to his pernicious meaand could be daunted. He proceeded, sures.  He contrived to draw into his
therefore, with the execution of his own hands the thirds of benefices, offerschemes more openly and forcibly, and ing more sure and ready payment to the
also made more use of those intrigues in ministers than had been made previouswhich he was such an adept, than he ly by their own collectors, and promising
would have attempted to do, bold and to make the stipend of each minister lodesigning as he was, if he had still had cal, and payable in the parish where he
to encounter the piercing sagacity and laboured. But no sooner had he obtaindauntless courage of John Knox. In ed the thirds into his own hands than he
like manner, the Assembly felt the want joined two, three, or even four parishes
of his clear judgment and intrepid spirit together, appointing to them, by means
in its councils. It reeled and staggered of his obedient creatures, the tulchan
like a storm-tossed vessel, when the bishops, but one minister, who was obpilot's hand has ceased to guide the rud- liged to preach in them by turns. Morder.  There still remained, indeed, a ton paying him as if he had but one
number of excellent men, sincerely at- charge, and retaining the remaining
tached to the principles upon which the stipends for his own purposes.
Reformation had been   established in  Against this nefarious conduct the
Scotland, and not incapable, in more Church continued to remonstrate, but in
peaceful times, to have defended them. vain. The utmost that the Assembly
But they were comparatively paralyzed could do was to attempt to control the
by their recent loss, by the new difficul- proceedings of the bishops as much as
ties with which they had to contend, and was practicable, in virtue of the authority
by the combined subtlety and sternness over such persons which, even by the
of that bold bad man, the regent Morton. convention of Leith, they continued to
[1573.] Morton accordingly, advanced possess.
almost unchecked in his career.  To    [1574.] The struggle continued, with
this he was incited by an additional somewhat of increasing energy on the
reason, which now began to influence his part of the Church, and with at least unmind. He had entered into a close cor- diminished determination on that of the




78              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. III.
recent. The Assembly not only asserted ten years from  his native country.
its supremacy over bishops, but even ex- Though personally a stranger, his emiercised it with unexpected firmness, both nent character as a man of learning and
by a strong remonstrance presented to talents was well known to his countrythe regent, and by directly censuring the men. The regent Morton, aware that
bishop of Dunkeld for his improper con- such a man must soon acquire extensive
duct, —evincing clearly the determination influence over the public mind, attempted
of the Church of Scotland to maintain to secure him for an agent in the proseand exercise its jurisdiction. It may be cution of his own designs. For this purstated in passing, that the assembly had pose he caused some of his own confiproceeded to take both these steps before dential friends to wait on Melville, and
the influence of Andrew Melville could propose that he should act as domestic
have even begun to be felt, as he did not instructor to the regent, with a promise
arrive in Scotland till the beginning of of advancement to a situation more suited
July, and the assembly by which the to his merits, on the first vacancy that
bishop of Dunkeld was censured met on might occur. Had Melyille acceded to
the 7th of August, only a few weeks af- this proposal, and fallen into the regent's
ter Melville's arrival, and while he was schemes, he might have enabled that
still residing in privacy with his relations. crafty statesman to rivet securely the fetThe noticing of such a matter will not ters with which he was striving to bind
seem too minute to those who are aware the Church, instead of being mightily
how much Episcopalians are in the habit instrumental in wrenching them asunder.
of ascribing the decided Presbyterian But though it does not appear that Melform of church government in Scotland ville was at that time at all aware of Morto the personal inflence of Andrew Mel- ton's designs, his predilections led him to
ville, who had brought, say they, from  prefer an academical life to that of a
Geneva the opinions of Calvin and Beza, courtier, and he therefore declined the
and succeeded in infusing them into the proposal.
Scottish ministers, who had previously  [1575.] The Assembly which met in
been favourable to a modified prelacy. March 1575, went boldly forward in the
This modified prelacy they pretend to reforming process begun by its predecesfind, partly in the superintendents ap- sor of the year before, and passed an act
pointed by John Knox, and partly in the requiring the knowledge of Latin in evtulchan bishops of the convention of ery person appointed to a benefice; which
Leith, whom they affect to regard as act was intended to oppose the corrupt
merely the natural, but somewhat more'practice of many of the nobility, who
properly appointed and ordained, succes- were in the habit of appointing ignorant
sors of the superintendents. Our readers persons, servants, and even children, to
are, we trust, in the possession of infor- benefices; such appointments being reamation sufficient to enable them to detect dily ratified by. the corrupt and servile
at once the fallacy of all such statements, bishops, regarding it probably as the regand to come to the conclusion unhesita- ular discharge of an essential part of
tingly, that the reformed Church of Scot- their tulchan function. A small commitland was from the beginning, and al- tee was also appointed to confer with the
ways has been, so far as she has been regent's commissioners respecting the
enabled to exhibit and act upon her own policy and jurisdiction of the Church.
principles, decidedly opposed to Prelacy, As this subject had been very fretaking neither her creed, her form of gov- quently made the topic of application, the
ernment, nor her discipline, from any convention of estates had come to the
other church, but from the word of God conclusion that some measure must be
alone, and in principle, aim, and endeav- framed to put an end to the uncertainty
our, always essentially and determinedly which prevailed on such matters. SpotsPresbyterian.                        wood says that the regent sent to the'Andrew Melville, as has been already General Assembly to require of them
stated, arrived in Scotland in the begin- whether they would stand to the policy
ning of July 1574, after an absence of agreed to at Leith; and if not, to desire




A. D. 1576.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     79
them to settle upon some form of govern- to him the living of Govan, Melville bement at which they would abide.*  The ing at that time principal of Glasgow
Assembly was not unwilling to follow up college. Not succeeding in this attempt,
this suggestion.  They not only ap- he tried a higher bribe, and offered Melpointed a committee to confer with the ville the archbishopric of St. Andrews,
parliamentary commissioners, but also upon the death of Douglas.   But all
selected such of their own body as were bribes were equally ineffectual, and the
known to have most thoroughly studied crafty regent thought proper to conceal
the subject, directing them to prepare a his displeasure.
complete outline of ecclesiastical policy  [1576.]  The question respecting bishand discipline, to be submitted to the As- ops, which had been raised in the precedsembly for consideration, and, if appro- ing Assembly, received a tolerably disved of, for ratification. It deserves to be tinct answer in that which met in April
remarked, that the regent did not pre- 1576. This answer was, "That the name
sume to appoint commissioners to draw  of bishop is conmon to all who are apup a book of discipline which the Church pointed to take charge of a particular
must receive; but requested them  to flock, in preaching the Word, adminisframe, according to their own principles, tering sacraments, and exercising discisome form of government by which they pline with the consent of their elders; and
would abide. In this very instance there that this is their chief function according
is the most distinct recognition of the in- to the Word of God."  And still proceedherent right of the Church to act freely ing with their important work, a large
upon its own principles, in the formation commission was appointed to prosecute
of its rules of government and discipline. the formation of a complete and systeIn the Assembly which met in August matic work on the policy and jurisdiction
the same year, John Dury, one of the of the Church. Spotswood complains
ministers of Edinburgh, protested that piteously, that in these Assemblies, in
the examination of the conduct of the which the office of a bishop, as then exbishops should not prejudge what he and ercised by the tulchan prelates in Scotother brethren had to object against the land, was called in question, not one of
lawfulness of their name and office. This six bishops who were present spoke a
protest led to a discussion, in which An- single word in defence of their office.
drew Melville took a distinguished part, They may be forgiven; some abuses are
and the discussion brought on a formal so glaringly indefensible, that even those
reasoning on the question, " Have bish- who could tolerate their existence cannot
ops, as they are now in Scotland, their muster effrontery enough to defend them.
function from the Word of God, or not?  Although the regent had failed to bribe
and ought the chapters appointed for Melville to aid in his nefarious attempts,
electing them to be tolerated in a reformed he found others more accessible to his
Church?" To these searching questions, golden persuasives. Patrick Adamson,
answers of a somewhat indefinite charac- who, on the installation of Douglas, had
ter were returned by those whom the As- expressed his condemnation of " my lord's
sembly had appointed to confer and re- bishop" so pointedly, had been gained
port; but the very moving of such ques- over by Morton, and was by him pretions was a sufficiently significant indica- sented to the archbishopric of St. Antion of the opinions held by the Church drews. This was stated to the Assembly
of Scotland.                         which met in October, and he was reIn the meantime, Morton, who was well quired to submit himself to trial before
aware of the prevalent feelings of the admission, agreeably to the act which had
Church, and knew also that it was in been passed to that effect. Adamson,
vain to attempt direct compulsion, en- declined on the ground that the regent
deavoured to corrupt the most influential had forbidden him to comply," in respect
ministers, that he might by their means the said act and ordinance of the Kirk is
mould the Assembly to his mind. To not accorded on."    The Assembly progain Andrew Melville was his great ob- hibited the chapter from proceeding in
ject; and this he tried to do by offering the matter; but Morton commanded them
- Spotswood, p. 276.      to proceed, in disregard of the Assemn




80              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. III.
bly's prohibition, and gave him admission ville, threaten your courtiers after that
to the archbishopric.                manner. It is the same to me whether I
[1577.] The contest between Morton rot in the air or in the ground.  The
and the Church continued, the regent earth is the Lord's. My country is
being unwilling to relinquish his favour- wherever goodness is. Patria est ubiite tulchan system, and the Church being cunque est bene. I have been ready to
equally determined to put an end to an give my life where it would not have
abuse so manifest and pernicious. At been half so well expended, at the pleasthe meeting of the Assembly in April ure of myGod. I have lived out of your
1577, Adamson was interdicted from the country two years, as well as in it. Le.
exercise of his prelatic authority, until he God be glorified; it will not be in your
should be regularly admitted by the power to hang or exile his truth."*
Church; and a commission was ap-       Morton felt himself for once outdared;
pointed to summon him before them, in- but, however indignant, he did not venvestigate his case, and judicially deter- ture to put his threats into execution. He
mine it. A committee was appointed to seems to have been aware that to proceed
confer with the regent respecting the dis- to use force would be to ensure the defeat
cipline and jurisdiction of the Church; of his intentions; and therefore he gave
and those who were engaged in prepar- a comparatively favourable answer to the
ing the systematic work on those points, Assembly respecting their labours in prewere required to proceed with their la- paring a Book of Policy. But as his inbours.                               tentions were by no means altered, he enIt was probably on this occasion that deavoured to turn the Assembly aside
the regent, irritated at the steady opposi- from  its endeavours to perfect its own
tion of the Church, and also at his failure policy, by employing Adamson to frame
to influence Melville by mercenary con- a number of frivolous and captious quessiderations, attempted to intimidate and tions, to which he wished answers to be
overbear him. Morton complained that given. He was also not a little embarthe Church- and the kingdom were kept rassed in political matters. His adminin a perpetual state of confusion and strife istration had been so severe, accompanied
by certain persons, who sought to intro- with so much of a base avaricious spirit,
duce their own private conceits and that it had become intolerable to a large
foreign laws on points of ecclesiastical portion of the kingdom, including many
government.  Melville replied, that he of the most influential of the hobility. He
and his brethren took the Scriptures, and felt his power on the wane, and would
not their own fancies, or the mode of any have been disposed to court the support
foreign Church, for the rule and stand- of the Church, of which he gave some inard of the discipline which they defended. telligible indications, had the crisis of his
Morton said, as Queen Mary had former- fate not come on too rapidly to give time
ly done, that the General Assembly was for a sufficient modification of his measa convocation of the kings's subjects, and ures.
that it was treasonable for them to meet  [1578.] On the 6th of March 1578,
without his permission. To this Melville Morton resigned his regency, and King
answered, that if it were so, then Christ James formally assumed the reins of govand his apostles must have been guilty of ernment, although, being still only in his
treason, for they called together great twelfth year, it was in reality little more
multitudes, and taught and governed than a nominal assumption, the real
them, without asking the permission of power passing from Morton, not into the
magistrates. The regent, unable to re- hands of the king, but of a new court
fute the reasoning of Melville, and almost favourite. When the Assembly met in
losing command of his temper, biting the April 1578, they proceeded to consider
head of his staff, growled, in that deep the system of ecclesiastical polity which
under-tone which marked his occasional their committee had been employed for
fits of cold, black, ruthless anger, — some time in framing; and its articles havThere will never be quietness in this ing been read over one by one, the whole
country till half-a-dozen of you be hanged received, after mature deliberation, the
or banished." " Tush, Sir," replied Mel-      Melville's Diary, pp. 52, 53.




1579]           HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     81
sanction of the General Assembly.  The before the commission of Parliament.*
system of ecclesiastical government and In these marginal comments the most imdiscipline thus deliberately prepared and portant of the articles are marked as
formally sanctioned, is known by the "agreed;" some, chiefly relating to
name of the Second Book of Discipline; church government, are " referred to furand from that time forward was, and con- ther reasoning," and others are agreed to
tinues still to be, the authorised standard with some slight verbal explanations.
of the Church of Scotland, in respect of Upon the whole, so far as this conference
government and discipline.           was concerned, the Church had reason
The same Assembly agreed, that the to regard her essential principles and
bishops should, for the future, be address- regulations as adopted and ratified by the
ed in the same style as other ministers; state virtually, and waiting but a more
and in case of a vacancy occurring in any full discussion to be formally confirmed.
bishopric, they prohibited the chapters By the same parliament an act was passfrom proceeding to a new election before ed closely-resembling the acts of 1567,
next meeting of Assembly.   Commis- and ratifying and approving all acts and
sioners were also appointed to lay the statutes previously made, agreeable to
Book of Discipline before the king and God's Woi.l, for the maintenance of the
council; and in case a conference was liberty of the " true Kirk of God."
desired respecting it, commissioners were  Another Assembly was held in Octonamed for such conference.  Thus did ber the same year, partly to consider the
the Church advance in the maturing of result of the conference at Stirling, and
her own principles and forms of govern- partly to proceed in the exercise of their
ment and discipline; and having com- own inherent authority, stripping the prepleted what she thought requisite for regu- latesoftheir usurped and misused powers,
lating her own conduct in matters of a and removing their corruptions.
spiritual character, she sought that ratifi-  [1579.1 Before the Assembly again
cation of the system by the civil court met, and before the Parliament had comwhich should protect her from the undue pletely ratified the Book of Discipline,
interference of any hostile power, and at which it had seemed on the point of doing,
the same time give civil effect to all such the Earl of Morton regained his ascenecclesiastical decisions as naturally in- dency, and once more swayed the counvolved civil consequences.           cils of the nation, although no longer in
The Assembly which met in the fol- his own name. The favourable sentilowing June extended to all future time ments of the king were soon changed;
the act regarding the election of bishops, and as the Church continued to exercise
ordaining that no new bishops should be its authority over the tulchan bishops
made thenceforward. It was also or- manufactured by Morton, the king was
dained, that the existing bishops should prevailed upon to interfere with its juris" submit themselves to the General As- diction, and to arrest, by means of orders
sembly concerning the reformation of the in council, the execution of the acts of the
corruption of that estate of bishops in Assembly, and its sentences of excommutheir own persons," under pain of being nication. The Assembly which met in
excommunicated, in the event of their ob- July 1579, received a letter from  the
stinate refusal. The bishop of Dunblane, king, in which he objected to the prowho was present, immediately submitted, ceedings against the bishops.  The letter
according to the act.                did not, however, deter the Assembly
Soon after this Assembly closed its sit- from both persevering in its course, and retings, a conference took place between monstrating against this interference with
the commissioners of the Church and a its inherent right of spiritual jurisdiction.
commission appointed by the parliament,  A parliament: was held in October the
at that time met in Stirling, where the same year, in which the attempted enking was then residing- Spotswood has croachments of the king were not countepreserved the results of this conference in nanced; but, on the contrary, two of the
the marginal remarks made upon a copy acts of 1567 were expressly re-enacted,
of the Book of Discipline which was laid        Spotswood, pp. 289302..
11




82              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. III.
and inserted anew in the record.  Little all such persons as were in possession of
however, was done in this parliament the said pretended office should  be
either for or against the Church.  The charged simpliciter to deinit it, as an
elements of political strife and intrigue office whereunto they were not called by
were too numerous and active to allow  God; appointing the places and times at
mere politicians to direct their attention which they should appear before the
to what they have always regarded as provincial synods, and signify their submatters of comparatively slight impor- mission to this act. This remarkable act
tance.  The Earl of Morton was no was agreed to by " the whole Assembly
longer regent; but the influence of the with one voice, after liberty given to all
veteran statesman was still so great, that men to reason in the matter, none oppothe young aspirants to political power felt sing himself in defending the said pre.
that their own ascendency could be se- tended office."*  So great was the infiucurely founded only on his ruin.  The ence of the Assembly, that notwithstandking had already shown his disposition ing the reluctance of the "pretended
to favoritism,-that prevalent vice of bishops" to relinquish their usurped
weak and irresolute minds; and, as power and wealth, and the opposition of
might have been expected, his favourites the nobility to the'oss of their tulchans,
were those who could rule by flattering, and of the milk thereby extracted, the
not guide by instructing'him.  These whole assumed order submitted, with the
favourites were Esme Stewart, hisown exception of five, in the course of the
cousin, whom he speedily raised to the year in which the act abolishing Episcodukedom of Lennox; and Captain James pacy was passed. t
Stewart, second son of Lord Ochiltree,  [1581.] The year 1581 was an imporafterwards created Earl of Arran.  The tant one in the history of the Church of
former had been brought up in France, Scotland. The labours of the ablest men
and was, on his arrival in Scotland, an in the Church had been expended for
adherent of the Church of Rome, though several years in the preparation of a renot long afterwards he declared himself gular system  of ecclesiastical. polity.
a convert to the Protestant faith.  The This had been at length matured, made
latter was a bold, unprincipled, licentious the subject of conference with the privy
man, capable of any crime, and posses- council, their remarks considered by the
sing considerable craft in devising, as Church, and the book again laid before
well as daringness in executing, his am- the king and council, with the earnest
bitious designs. To such men, it may request that it might obtain the full ratibe easily supposed, the Church of Scot- fication of an act of parliament.  But
land was an object of dislike; and, so finding their endeavours still thwarted
far as their influence extended, they, es- and evaded, the Assembly resolved to
pecially Arran, were its natural foes.  temporize no longer; but as they had al[1580.] The Assembly, perceiving that ready guided their conduct generally in
their desire to have the corrupt form of accordance with its principles, they deterpseudo-prelacy abolished, and the Book mined now to erect it, by an act of Asof Discipline ratified, was continually sembly, into the condition of their avowevaded by the civil magistrate, whether ed and accredited standard of governregent or king, resolved to put forth their ment and discipline. Several of its proown inherent powers, both in removing visions had been already in operation.
abuses, and in completing their own judi- Even in 1579 the Assembly had proceedcial and disciplinary arrangements. Ac- ed so far towards the erection of presbycordingly, the Assembly which met in teries, that they had decreed that "the
Dundee in July 1580 passed an act de- exercise [or weekly meeting  of the
claring, that the office of a bishop, as it ministers  and  elders  of contiguous,
was then used and commonly understood, parishes] might be judged a presbywas destitute of warrant and authority tery."J:  The king, following, as usual
from the Word of God, was of mere hu- the course of the Church, sent to the Asman invention, introduced by folly and
corruption, and tended to the great injury  Booke of the Universall Kirk, A. 194.
of the Chuh   ordaining farter, tha    t Calderwood MSS., vol. ii. p. 636.
of the nChurch; ordaining farther, that I Booke of the Universall Kirk, p, 192.




\. D. 1581.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      83
sembly, which met at Glasgow in April offices naturally expired, leaving the or1581, by his commissioner, Cunningham  dinary and permanent to carry on the
of Caprington, a request that the Assem- healthful functions  of the  matured
bly would proceed with the erection of Church.
presbyteries, for the purpose of " bring-  As the Second Book of Discipline, being the ecclesiastical discipline to be far ing thus engrossed in the acts of Assembetter exercised and executed over all the bly, must be regarded as the standard of
realm than it had previously   been." the Church of Scotland in respect of govThis request was readily complied with; ernment and discipline, it seems expediand an act was passed erecting at once ent to give a brief summary of its leading
thirteen presbyteries, and recommending propositions, referring those who wish
the speedy  extension  of the system  more minute information to the work itthroughout the kingdom.               self.
By another act of the same Assembly,  It begins by stating the essential line
the Second Book of Discipline was or- of distinction between civil and ecclesiasdained to be registered in the acts of the tical power.  This it does by declaring,
Church, and to remain therein, ad perpe- that Jesus Christ has appointed a governtuam r ei memoriam, and copies thereof ment in his Church, distinct from civil
to be taken by every presbytery.*  By government, which is to be exercised by
the same Assembly another act was such office-bearers as He has authorised,
passed, ratifying what has often been and not by civil magistrates, or under
termed Craig's Confession of Faith, be- their direction.  Civil authority has for
cause it was drawn up by John Craig. its direct and proper object the promoting
It is also known by the designation of of external peace and quietness among
THE   FIRST  NATIONAL  COVENANT    OF the subjects; ecclesiastical authority, the
SCOTLAND, and forms the first part of direction of men in matters of religion,
every subsequent national covenant en- and which pertain to conscience.  The
tered into by the Church and people of former enforces obedience by external
Scotland.  The occasion of its being means, the latter by spiritual means; yet,
framed and subscribed at this time was  as they be both of God. and tend to one
the jealousy entertained by the nation of end, if they be rightly used,. to wit, to adthe Duke of Lennox and other nobles, vance the glory of God, and to have good
who either openly avowed their adhe- and godly subjects," they ought to corence to the Church of Rome, or were operate within their respective spheres,
suspected of attachment to the creed of and fortify each other. " As ministers
that dreaded and detested perversion of are subject to the judgment and punishChristianity.  This covenant was sub- ment of the m-agistrates in external matscribed by the king himself, his house- tc.s, if they offend, so ought the magishold, and the greater part of the nobility trates to submit themselves to the disciand gentry throughout the kingdom, and pline of the Church, if they transgress in
ratified by the Assembly, as has been matters of conscience and religion." The
stated above, and the signing of it zeal- government of the Church consists in
ously promoted by the ministers in every three things,-doctrine, discipline, and
part of the country. The interim office distribution.  Corresponding to this diof "readers" was suppressed by this vision, there are three kinds of churchAssembly, because there was now a suf- officers., —ministers, who are preachers
ficient number of ministers to supply the as well as rulers; elders, who are merely
churches throughout the kingdom.   In rulers; and deacons, who act as distributhis it will be observed that the Church tors of alms and managers of the funds
acted- with regard to readers exactly as of the Church.  The name bishop is of
it had done with regard to the other in- the same meaninag as that of pastor or
terim offices of superintendents and vis- minister: it is not expressive of superioritors.  They had been called into exist- ity or lordship; and the Scriptures do
ence, as an extraordinary office, to meet not allow of a pastor of pastors, or a pasthe necessities of the time; and when tor of many flocks.  There should be
these necessities ceased, the extraordinary elders, who do not labour in word and
Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 218.  doctrine.  The eldership is a spiritual




84              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. IIl.
function, as is the ministry. These func- of worship, and other extraordinary
tionaries ought to assist the pastor in ex- charges of the Church or commonwealth.
amining those who come to the Lord's Among the remaining      abuses which
table, and in visiting the sick; but their ought to be removed, the following are
principal office is to hold assemblies with particularly specified:-The titles of abthe pastors and doctors, who are also of bots, and others connected with monastic
their number, for establishing good or- institutions, with the places which they
der and execution of discipline.  The held, as churchmen, in the legislative
office-bearers of the Church are to be ad- and judicial courts; the usurped supemitted by election and ordination.  None riority of bishops, and their acting in
are to be intruded into any ecclesiastical parliament and council in the name of
office " contrary to the will of the con- the Church, without her commission;
gregation to which they are appointed." the exercise of criminal jurisdiction and
Ecclesiastical assemblies are either par- the pastoral office by the same individticular (consisting of the office-bearers of uals; the mixed jurisdiction of commisone congregation, or of a number of saries; the holding of p. ralities; and
neighbouring congregations), provincial, patronages and presentations to benefices,
national or ecumenical, and general. whether by the prince or any inferior
The presbytery, or eldership as it is call- person, which lead to intrusion, and are
ed, has the inspection of a number of ad- incompatible with " lawful election and
joining congregations in every thing re- the assent of the people over whom the
lating to religion and manners, and has person is placed, as the practice of the
the power of ordaining, suspending, and apostolical and primitive Kirk, and good
deposing ministers, and of exercising dis- order, crave."
cipline within its bounds. The provin-  " Such is the outline of the Presbytecial synod possesses the power of all the rian plan of church government, as delipresbyteries within a province.  The neated in the Second Book of Discipline.
General Assembly is composed of com- Its leading principles rest upon the exmissioners, ministers and elders, from the press authority of the Word of God. Its
whole churches in the realm, and takes subordinate arrangements are supported
cognizance of every thing connected with by the general rules of Scripture, they
the welfare of the National Church. Ap- are simple, calculated to preserve order
peals for redress of grievances may be and promote edification, and adapted to
taken from every subordinate court to its the circumstances of the Church for
next superior one, till they reach the which they were intended. It is equally
General Assembly, whose decision in all opposed to arbitrary and lordly dominamatters ecclesiastical is final. All the tion on the part of the clergy, and to popecclesiastical assemblies  have  lawful ular confusion and misrule. It secures
power to convene for transacting busi- the liberty of the people in one of their
ness, and to appoint the times and places most important privileges,-the choosing
of their meeting.  The patrimony of the of those who shall watch for their souls,
Church includes whatever has been ap- -without making them the final judges
propriated to her use, whether by dona- of the qualifications of those who shall be
tions from  individuals, or by law and invested with this office. While it escustom. To take any part of this by un- tablishes an efficient discipline in every
lawful means, and apply it to the partic- congregation, it also preserves that unity
ular and profane use of individuals, is which ought to subsist among the differsimony. It belongs to the deacons to re- ent branches of the Church of Christ,ceive the ecclesiastical goods, and to dis- secures attention to those numerous cases
tribute them  according to the appoint- which are of common concern and genement of presbyteries.  The purposes to ral  utility,-and  provides a remedy
hich they are to be applied are the four against particular acts of injustice and
following:-The support of ministers; mal-adninistration  arising from  local
the support of elders where that is neces- partialities and partial information, by
sary, and of a national system of educa- the institution of larger assemblies acting
tion; the maintenance of the poor and as courts of appeal and review, in which
of hospitals; and the reparation of places the interests of all are equally represent



A. D. 1581.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    85
ed, and each enjoys the benefit resulting most depraved, and her warmest friends
from the collective wisdom of the whole among the wisest, best, and holiest of
body. It encourages a friendly co-ope- their age and nation. That a weakl, vain,
ration between the civil and ecclesiastical and tyrannical king, and a licentious
authorities; but it, at the same time, court, should hate and endeavour to subavoids the confounding of their limits,- vert so pure a Church, was only what
prohibits church courts from' meddling might have been expected; that some of
with any thing pertaining to the civil her own ambitious or backsliding officejurisdiction,'-establishes their indepen- bearers should have been ready to bedence in all matters which belong to come tools in the hands of her enemies,
their  own  cognizance,-and   guards for the sake of their own self-interested
against what is the great bane of reli- views or base indulgencies, was also but
gion and curse of the Church-a priest- too natural; but that men can still be
hood which is merely the organized pup- found eager to blacken the character of
pet of the state, and moves and acts only our heavenly-minded reformers, and atas it is directed by a political administra- tempt to overthrow the church which
tion. It is a form of ecclesiastical polity these great men expended their noble
whose practical utility has been propor- lives in establishing, is a matter that must
tioned to the purity in which its princi- awaken in every well-informed and spirples have been maintained.   Accord- itually enlightened mind the deepest grief
ingly, it has secured the cordial and and the most painful reflections. Is it inlasting attachment of the people of Scot- deed so, that an institution avowedly diland: whenever it has been wrested from  vine in its origin and principles, cannot
them by arbitrary violence, they have be tolerated by kings, and governments,
uniformly embraced the first favourable and men of rank and power, unless it
opportunity of demanding.its restoration; will consent to abandon all claim to that
and the principal secessions which have sacred origin and authority in virtue of
been made from the national Church in which alone it exists, to sacrifice all its
this part of the kingdom have been stated, God-given principles, intrinsic powers,
not in the way of dissent from its consti- and divinely appointed jurisdiction, and
tution, as in England, but in opposition submit to become the slave, bedecked and
to departures, real or alleged, from its pampered, but fettered and enthralled, of.
original and genuine principles."*   licentious and worldly despotism? Such
To the above quoted just estimate of might have been the sad and depressing
the nierits of the Second Book of Disci- thoughts of Knox and Melville, in the
pline, it would be presumptuous and un- early days of the Church of Scotland;
necessary to add a single sentence. And and her subsequent history will often
it would be well if those who declaim force on the thoughtful reader musings
against the Church of Scotland, would of a similarly melancholy character.
have the candour to make themselves ac-  But to proceed with the narrative of
quainted with its standard of government events. The king and his dissolute and
and discipline, before they proceed to avaricious favourites viewed these promisrepresent, villify, and condemn, what ceedings of the Church with equal hatred
thev neither know nor understand. It is and alarm. They were well aware, that
a melancholy thought, but, we fear, too unless they could preserve the prelatic
near the truth, that the opposition, and element ilk the Church, they would lose
even bitter hatred, which the Church of both their power of corrupting and biasScotland has had to encounter in every sing its courts, and of laying hold of the
age, has arisen from the fact, that her revenues of the larger benefices through
standards of faith and government are too the instrumentality of their cringing sypure and spiritual to be readily appre- cophants the tulchan bishops. An opporhended by the darkened mind, or rel- tunity soon presented itself of putting
ished by the corrupt heart, of fallen and their schenmes in execution. Boyd, archsinful man. This at least is certain, that bishop of Glasgow, died in June 1581;
her bitterest enemies have always been and a grant of the revenues of the archamong the most worldly-minded or the bishopric was made by the privy counM'Crie's Life of Melville, pp. 124,125.  cil to the duke of Lennox. But as these




86              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. III,
revenues could not be drawn in his own to the civil power, but in other respects
name, it was necessary to revive the tul- would discharge their duty. Soon after.
chan system, and procure some hireling a messenger-at-arms entered the house,
to hold the title, and hand over to Lennox and charged the moderator and members
the greater portion of the revenues. The of Assembly, on the pain of rebellion, to
transaction was so base, and so directly desist entirely from the prosecution. After
opposed to the whole acts of the Assem- serious deliberation, they agreed to adbly, especially the more recent ones con- dress a respectful letter to his Majesty;
demning and wholly abolishing the epis- resolved that it was their duty to proceed
copal name and office, that Lennox had with the trial; ratified the sentence of the
some difficulty in finding a person at presbytery of Stirling, suspending him
once sufficiently knavish and reckless to from the exercise of the ministry; and
enter into what even Spotswood terms having found eight articles of the charge
this " vile bargain."  At length, Robert against him proved, declared that he had
Montgomery, minister of Stirling, " a incurred the censures of deposition and
man," says Robertson," vain, feeble, pre- excommunication.  Overawed by this
sumptuous, and more apt, by the blem- calm and resolute conduct, Montgomery
ishes of his character, to have alienated hastened to the house, and like a self-conthe people from an order already beloved, victed culprit, humbly crouching before
than to reconcile them to one which was them, acknowledged that he had heavily
the object of their hatred,"-this worth- offended God and His Church, craved
less man consented to make himself the that thesentence might not be pronounced,
base instrument of a licentious courtier's and solemnly promised to interfere no
sacrilegious avarice.                farther with the bishopric.  The AssemThe Assembly which met in October bly accepted his submission, and delayed
entered promptly into the consideration pronouncing the sentence; but, aware
of this simoniacal transaction, and called of his character, gave instructions to the
Montgomery to the bar. After proceed- presbytery of Glasgow to watch his coning a certain length, the matter was re- duct, and in case he violated his engagemitted to the presbytery of Stirling, to ment, to inform the presbytery of Edindeal farther in it as necessity might re- burgh, who were authorized to appoint
quire; and Montgomery was prohibited one of their number to pronounce the
from accepting the condemned prelatic sentence of excommunication againrs
office, and from leaving his charge at him.
Stirling.  The members of the synod of  The event showed the wisdom of these
Lothian were summoned to appear before precautions. Instigated by Lennox, who
the privy council, on account of having longed to realize the fruits of his "vile.
interfered with Montgomery in obedience bargain," Montgomery revived his claim
to the orders of the Assembly.  They to the prelacy; and when the presbytery
appeared; and Robert Pont, who was at of Glasgow met to do as they had been
that time one of the Lords of Justiciary, directed by the Assembly, he procured an
in their name, after protesting their readi- order from the king to stay their proceness to yield all lawful obedience, de- dure, and, at the head of an armed force,
dined the judgment of the council, as in- entered the house where they were sitcompetent, according to the laws of the ting, and presented the order. They
land, to take cognizance of a cause which refused compliance; and the moderator
was purely ecclesiastical.           was dragged from the chair, insulted,
[1582.] The Assembly met in April beaten, and cast into prison.  The pres1582 at St. Andrews, and immediately bytery, nevertheless, discharged their
proceeded to take up the case of Mont- duty, found him guilty, and transmitted
gomery, which had been referred to them  the result to the presbytery of Edinburgh,
by the presbytery of Stirling.  The king who appointed one of their own number
sent a letter to the Assembly, requesting to pronounce the sentence.  In spite of
them not to proceed against Montgomery the rage and the threatenings of the
for any thing connected with the arch- court, the sentence was pronounced, and
bishopric.  The answer was, that they intimated publicly in all the surrounding
would touch nothing so far as belonged churches. A proclamation was immedi



A. D. 1582.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     87
ately issued by the privy council, declar- access to the king in council, he preing the excommunication of Montgomery sented the remonstrance. When it had
null and void.  The ministers of Edin- been read, Arran, looking around the
burgh were repeatedly called before the assembly with a threatening countenance
council and insulted; and John Dury exclaimed, " Who dares subscribe these
was banished from the capital, and pro- treasonable articles i"  "WE DARE," rehibited from preaching.              plied' Melville; and advancing to the
But if the king and the courtiers were table, he took the pen from the clerk, and
furious, the Church was roused and reso- Subscribed.  The other commissioners
lute, and its councils were guided by men immediately followed his example. Even
equal to the emergency. An extraordi- the unprincipled and daring Arran was
nary meeting of Assembly was convened, overawed by the native supremacy of
and. a spirited remonstrance was drawn religious principle and true moral courup, to be presented to the king and coun- age, and sunk from his look of domineercil, complaining of the late proceedings, ing sternness into the sullen scowl of imand craving a redress of grievances. In potent and baffled malice.  Lennox adthis very remarkable document they com- dressed the commissioners in a conciliamence the statement of grievances by tory tone; and they were peaceably
thus addressing the king:-" That your dismissed.  Certain Englishmen who
majesty, by device of some councillors, is happened to be present expressed their
cause4 to take upon you a spiritual power astonishment at the bold carriage of the
and authority, which properly belongeth ministers, and could scarcely be perunto Christ, as only King and Head of suaded that they had not an armed force
the Church, the ministry and execution at hand to support them.*
whereof is only given unto such as bear  But though the deputation escaped per-office in the ecclesiastical government in sonal violence, the king and his favourthe same.  So that in your highness's ites were not disposed thus to relinquish
person some men press to erect a new  the contest. A warrant was given to the
popedom, as though your majesty could Duke of Lennox to hold what was called
not be full king and head of this common- a chamberlain's court, to inquire into the
wealth, unless as well the spiritual as late sedition, and have its authors and
temporal sword be put into your high- abetters duly punished. This court was
ness's hands,-unless Christ be bereft of to be held in Edinburgh on the 27th
his authority, and the two jurisdictions of August; but before the arrival of that
confounded which God hath divided, day, an event took place which comwhich directly tendeth to the wreck of all pletely changed the aspect of public
true religion."*                     affairs.  The haughty and tyrannical
A deputation, at the head of which was conduct of Lennox and Arran had exAndrew Melville, was appointed to go to cited the hostility of the greater part of
Perth, where the king was then resid- the nobility; and, roused from their leing, and to present this remonstrance. thargy by witnessing the free and enerWhen information of these proceedings getic behaviour of the Church, they
reached the court, the favourites expressed resolved to rescue the country from the
the highest indignation; and an appre- disgraceful servitude under which it
hension generally prevailed, that if the groaned.  A combination for effecting
ministers ventured to approach the court, this.purpose was formed; the person of
their lives would be sacrificed on the the king was seized, and restrained for a
spot. Their more timid and wary friends time to Ruthven castle, whence this enterentreated them not to appear; but Mel- prise obtained the name of the Raid of
ville answered, " I am not afraid, thank Ruthven.  The Duke of Lennox was
God, nor feeble-spirited in the cause and compelled to retire to France, where he
message of Christ; come what God soon after died; Arran was removed from
pleases to send, our commission shall be all intercourse with the king; and a
executed."  Having next day obtained proclamation was issued, recalling all the
Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 256; Calderwood,  - Calderwood, p. 128; Melville's Diary, p. 95;
p. 127.                              M'Crie's Life of Melville, pp. 182, 183.




88              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP II1.
late despotic measures, and putting an certain articles were proposed for their
end to all hostile procedure against the consideration by the king and council,
Church.                              with a request that a commission might
When the Assembly met in the month be appointed with powers to deliberate
of October, the lords connected with the and conclude, the Assembly, rememberRaid of Ruthven sent a deputation to ex- ing well the convention of Leith, answerplain the grounds of the late proceedings. ed significantly, that they had found by
They declared, that the causes which experience, commission given to brethren
moved them were, the dangers to which with power to conclude, to have done
they perceived the Church and religion, great hurt to the Church."
the kling and his estate, were exposed,  But the period of peace and prosperity
and the confusion and disorder of the was near its close, and a storm was ready
commonwealth; requesting'the Assem- to burst forth with increased violence.
bly to give the sanction of their public The king, whose mind and morals had
approval to the enterprise. The Assem- been deeply corrupted by his former
bly acted with becoming caution in the licentious favourites, became itterly immatter. Ministers were required to state patient of the restraint in whLch he was
whether it was consistent with their own kept by the new administration.  Conknowledge that such grievances were triving to elude the vigilance of the lords,
prevalent in the kingdom; and a deputa- he hastened to St. Andrews, summoned
tion was sent to the king, to receive his his former courtly flatterers, and cast
own account of the transaction, and his himself once more into the arms of the
own feelings regarding it. The king's unprincipled Earl of Arran. Immedianswer agreeing with the declaration of ately the hostile proceedings against the
the lords, and the statements of the min- Church were resumed, although for a
isters from all parts of the country, the time the royal and courtly displeasure
Assembly then expressed their approba- was directed chiefly against individuals.
tion of the reformation of the common- John Dury was banished from  Edin.
wealth intended and begun.            burgh, and restricted to the neighbour
The same Assembly proceeded to the hood of Montrose; and severe threatentrial and deposition of the corrupt pre- ings were uttered against all who had
lates; and commission was given to frame expressed approbation of the Raid of
articles to be presented to the king, coun- Kuthven.
cil, and estates, for the farther removal of  [1584.] The year 1584, black in the
abuses, and maintenance of the liberty annals of the Church of Scotland, was
and purity of the Church. The notori- ushered in by the commencement of that
ous Montgomery, seeing little prospect of storm which was soon to shake and deaccomplishing his base designs, offered vastate the kingdom. On the. 15th of
to submit to the discipline of the Church, February, Andrew Melville was sumand begged to be again received into her moned to appear before the privy council,
communion.     -                      to answer for seditious and treasonable
[I583.] While the king remained un- speeches, alleged to have been uttered by
der the care of the new administration, him in his sermon and prayers on a fast
peace and contentment prevailed through- which had been kept during the precedout the kingdom.  He publicly declared ing month. He appeared, gave an achis satisfaction with what had taken count of what he had really said, and
place; and, lest any suspicion might re- proved his innocence; but the council
main, emitted an act of indemnity to all resolved to proceed with his trial.  He
in any way connected with the Raid of then stated objections, which he subseRuthven. The Church was not only quently put into the form of a protest,
permitted, but even encouraged, to ad- the chief point of which was, that his trial
vance in her course of reformation: and should be remitted, in the first instance,
a confidential intercourse was commenced to the ecclesiastical courts, as the ordinabetween the court and the Assembly, ry and proper judges of his ministerial
which seemed to indicate the opening of conduct, according to Scripture, the law
a more propitious era.  Yet the Assem- of the kingdom, and an agreement lately
bly was not lulled into security; for when made between certain commissioners of




A. D. 1584.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     89
the privy council and of the Church. apprehended without the formality of a
This modified declinature of the direct legal charge.  This contradictory proand primary jurisdiction of the privy cedure tended still more to increase the
council over the conduct of ministers in public dissatisfaction, and to deepen the
the discharge of the pastoral functions, general alarm.
gave dire offence to the king, who was  This contest between the court and
jealous to excess of every limitation of Andrew Melville it has been thought nehis absolute prerogative; and roused the cessary to state with some minuteness,
despotic heart of Arran to a degree of because it brings before the reader plainungovernable fury. Nothing could appal ly one of the chief subjects on account
the dauntless spirit of Melville.  Un- of which the Church of Scotland has
clasping his Hebrew Bible from his gir- been often exposed to peril, and almost
die, and throwing it on the table, he said, always to misrepresentation and calumny.
" These are my instructions: see if any of The claim that a minister should be tried,
you can judge of them, or show that I in the first instance, by an ecclesiastical
have passed my injunctions."  Entrea- court, for every accusation  brought
ties and menaces were in vain employed against him in regard to doctrine and the
to induce him to withdraw his protest; discharge of his pastoral functions, has
he steadily refused, unless his cause were been attempted to be identified with the
remitted to the proper judges.  He was claim maintained by the popish clergy,
then formally accused, and the deposition of entire immunity from the civil jurisof a number of witnesses taken. But al- diction, even in matters civil, and in
though most of them were his enemies, crimes of every kind.  That the two
nothing could be extracted from their evi- claims are essentially different, must be
dence that tended in the slightest degree obvious to every clear and unprejudiced
to criminate him.  Notwithstanding this, mind. Even the bare statement of them
he was found guiltyof declining the judg- as above, makes it evident that they are
ment of the council, and behaving, as totally dissimilar.  But it has ever been
they said, irreverently before them; and the policy of the enemies of the Church
was condemned to be imprisoned in the of Scotland, first to misrepresent her
castle of Edinburgh, and to'be farther principles, and then to condemn their
punished in his person and goods at his own misrepresentation  and to punish
majesty's pleasure.  Having learned that their slandered victims, as if they were
his place of confinement was changed to indeed convicted criminals. It is easy
Blackness Castle, kept by a creature of to brand a good cause with a bad name,
Arran's, and that if once there, he would and then to assume the plausible aspect
either never leave his dungeon alive, or of preventers of evil, or avergers of
only to ascend the scaffold, he fled to wrong, when, in reality, thosu who so
Berwicl, which he reached in safety, act, are themselves the calumniators of
while Arran was preparing a troop of good and the assailants of right. The
cavalry to convey him to Blackness.*  Church of Scotland has never denied the
This harsh and unjustifiable conduct right of the civil magistrateto t ake cogat once roused and alarmed the king- nizance of every crime by which the pubdom. The ministers of Edinburgh pray- lic morality and peace were or might be
ed publicly for Melville; and the univer- injured; but as the liberty of the pulpit
sal lament was, that the king, under the is essential to the free and fearless deliinfluence of evil council, had driven into very of the gospel message, and as that
exile the most learned man in the king- liberty would be but a name, were the
dom, and the ablest defender of religion minister to be dragged before a oivil triand the liberties of the Church. The bunal upon the accusation of every ignoprivy council issued a proclamation, de- rant, spiteful, or malicious informer, she
daring that his exile was voluntary; has always asserted the right of the
but at the same time an act of council minister to be tried, in the first instance,
was passed, ordaining that such preach- by an ecclesiastical court  Should the
ers as were accused should henceforth be partiality of such a court shelter a delinquent from condign punishment, it is still
p (alderwood, pp. 144-147; M'Crie's Life of Melville, competent for the civil magistrate to pro197-1204.
12




90              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. Iln.
ceed against him in the exercise of that quence of the conduct of the court, they
authority which the antecedent judgment were peremptorily commanded by the
of the Church could neither supersede king's commissioner to rescind the former
nor invalidate.  And, if accurately ex- act expressing approval of the Raid of
amined, this liberty will be found to be Ruthven, and to pass another condemnthe very palladium of civil liberty itself. ing that transaction  as treasonable.
The freedom of opinion has never exist- This the Assembly declined to do; but
ed in any country where religious free- instead of taking a determined stand
dom was unknown; indeed, free public against such an encroachment on their
opinion had no existence till the Refor- liberties, they broke up their meeting, and
mation broke the fetters of religious des- withdrew from the scene of immediate
potism and made men free indeed. And danger.
in the time of the Scottish Reformation,  A parliament was held in May, in
the press, with its mighty influences, had which the proceedings were of a most exnot sprung into being,-parliamentary traordinary character. TLe Lords of the
proceedings were the records of tyranny Articles were sworn to secrecy.while
or faction,'-the courts of justice obeyed they were preparing the business of the
too generally the arbitrary will of the parliament; and the meetings of the parsovereign, or exhibited the one-sided re- liament were held with closed doors. In
suits of partizanship,-and it was from  spite of these  precautions, it became
the teachers of religion that the people known that measures subversive of the
first learned to know that they were Presbyterian form of church government
something more than the slaves of their were  intended.  One minister was
feudal lords or regal despots,-that being seized, when entering the palace-gate to
rational, responsible, and immortal crea- supplicate the king in behalf of the
tures, they were entitled to think, and Church, and sent to Blackness.  And
reason, and act, as conscious of their when, on the 25th of May, the acts of
mysterious nature, and worthy of their parliament were proclaimed, Pont and
high   destinies.  " Despotism,"  says Balcanquhall protested formally at the
M'Crie,'"has rarely been established in market-cross of Edinburgh, and immeany nation without the subserviency of diately fled to Berwick. Adamson and
the ministers of religion. And it nearly Montgomery sat in this infamous parliaconcerns the cause of public liberty, that ment as bishops, directing the despotic
those who ought to be the common in- measures against the church and the
structors and the faithful monitors of all kingdom.
classes, should not be converted into the  The acts passed by this parliament,
trained sycophants of a corrupt, or the known as 1 the Black Acts of 1584,"
trembling slave of a tyrannical, adminis- were to the following effect:-That to
tration."                            decline the judgment of his majesty ox
Soon after the flight of Melville, a of the privy council in any matter was
proclamation was issued against all who treason: That those were guilty of the
had been concerned in the Raid of Ruth- same crime who should impugn or seek
ven, who were commanded to leave the the diminution of the power and authority
kingdom within a given time. An abor- of the three estates of parliament: [By
tive attempt was made by the threatened this, all that the Church had done in the
party to defend themselves; but the Earl abolition of Prelacy was declared trcaof Gowrie having    been seized, the sonable].  That all subjects were prohiothers fled to England, and Arran ob- bited from convening any assembly, extained the uncontrolled management of cept the ordinary courts, to consult or dethe king and the government. Gowrie termine on any matter of state, civil or
was executed notwithstanding the act of ecclesiastical, without the special coinindemnity, and the express forgiveness of mandment and license of his majesty:
the king to him   personally.  Arran [This was intended for the suppression
urged impetuously forward his schemes of Presbyteries, Synods, and General
at once of tyranny and revenge. WhenAssemblies.] That commissions should
the Assembly met at St. Andrews inApril, be given to the bishops, along with such
few in number, and dispirited in conse- others as the king might appoint to pu




A. D. 1587.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   91
order in all ecclesiastical matters in their the Church was at once rescued from didioceses; and, That none should pre- rect persecution; but the lords were more
sume, in private or public, in sermons, intent on securing their own interests with
or familiar conferences, to censure the the capricious and yet obstinate monarch,
conduct of the king, his council, and pro- than on restoring the rights and priviceedings, under the penalties of treason- leges of which the Church had been deable offences, to be executed with all prived by Arran's infamous parliament.
rigour. These BLACK ACTS, containing They excused themselves by the comthe very essence of despotism, were pas- mon plea of temporising insincerity, that
sed on the 22d of May, publicly pro- it was not expedient yet to annoy the
claimed on the 25th, and basely submit- king by pressing the abolition of Prelacy,
ted to by the nobility, barons, and gentry, to which he was so much attached.
being opposed alone by the ministers, And, at the same time, the Church was
the dauntless guardians of civil and reli- somewhat divided, in consequence of
gious liberty.  " There was a spirit some ministers having been induced to
awakened in Scotland, mightier far than subscribe the servile bond of the Black
acts of parliament or the influence of the Acts.  Animadversions, supplications,
court. The spirit of her ministers was and declarations, passed between the king
not crushed: they fought on steadily to and the Assembly, which met in Decemthe end."*-                         ber; but nothing of a definite nature was
Great was the sufferings and protract- concluded.
ed the struggle of the Church.  Up-   [1586.] In April, 1586, the synod of
wards of twenty ministers were compel- Fife excommunicated Adamson, pretendled to save their lives by a flight to Eng- ed archbishop of St. Andrews; and Adland. A bond was drawn up by Adam- amson retaliated by excommunicating
son, to be subscribed by all ministers Andrew Melville, his nephew James,
within forty days, obliging themselves to and some other ministers. This matter
submit to the king's power over all es- was brought before the Assembly in May,
tates, spiritual and temporal, and to the and after long and sharp controversy,
bishops, under the pain of losing their the king used every method to gain his
stipends; with certification, that they purpose, by intimidation, by flattery of
who did not submit within the given individuals, and by deceptive promises,
time shoud not be received afterwards, the sentence was held to be regarded as
but underlie the penalty without relief. not pronounced, many protesting against
The most of them refused to subscribe; this deliverance.  The king was pecubut an ambigious and deceptive clause liarly urgent with the Assembly to have
was introduced by Adamson, by which the pre-eminence of bishops over their
several were beguiled into subscription. brethren recognized, if not on the ground
[1585.1  But as the arrogance and ty- of jurisdiction, yet on that of order;
ranny of Arran were boundless, and as but the utmost he could obtain was the
the kingdom  in general sympathized answer, "That it could not stand with
with the suffering ministers, and as even the word of God; only they must tolerJames himself began to grow weary of ate it, if it be forced upon them by the
his domineering favourite, it became evi- civil authority.*
dent that a change of administration must  [1587.] Scarcely anything of marked
speedily ensue. The banished lords re- importance occurred during the year
turned from England in October 1585; 1587. Some slight contests there were, incrowds of supporters flocked to them from  deed, between the king and the ministers,
all quarters; they advanced towards Stir- respecting praying for Queen Mary, who
ling, where the king and Arran then was still alive, but her life placed in the
were; and entering the town, Arran fled, most imminent peril, in consequence of
and the king received them into favour, the jealousy of Elizabeth and the plots
and deprived his unworthy minion of all of the Papists. By a parliament held in
his previous ill-got power and honours. July, such lands of the Church as had
By this new change of administration not been already bestowed inalienably
upon the nobles or landed gentry, were' Dean of Faculty Hope-Speech, Auchterarder    l    lded ge, 
Case, p. 205.                                   Calderwood, p. 512.




92              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. IIL
annexed to the crown. This act, detach- picion respecting his own stability on the
ing the Church lands from all connec- Scottish throne, in case of his mother's
tion with ecclesiastical persons, was a liberation, induced him to desire to keep
fatal blow to the order of bishops, ren- on favourable terms with the popish
dering the subsequent endeavours of sovereigns, and that party in his own
James and his successors to restore them  realm. While the death of Mary relieved
to their pristine dignity and authority ut- him from  one cause of his embarrassterly hopeless.  It might have proved a ment, it tended to throw him into another
fertile source of revenue to the crown, line of policy scarcely more favourable
had not the facile disposition of James to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
led him to bestow the titles to these lands Keeping in view his succession to the
lavishly on almost any one who requested English throne, he thought it necessary
them; as, being generally held at that to conciliate the English Church as far
time by annuitants, he could not himself as possible, by making known his deciimmediately obtain possession, and little ded preference to a prelatical form  of
valued property in prospect. But he ac- church government.  To this, indeed,
companied his own prodigal act with one his own despotic principles naturally inof injustice, in conferring, along with dined him, having found by experience
these Church lands, the patronages which how much more easily a bench of bishops,
had formerly belonged to their ecclesias- seated among the temporal lords, might
tical proprietors, and which he thus ar- be brow-beaten or cajolled, than a free
bitrarily converted into lay patronages. Assembly of high principled and fearOf this arbitrary conduct even Sir George less Presbyterian ministers.
Mackenzie says, " There could be no-    The same considerations led him to
thing so unjust as these patronages.'" concur readily in the political schemes of
Against them the Church promptly and Elizabeth. And as Philip of Spain, after
strongly protested, in the Assembly long preparation, was now putting in mowhich met in August the following year.* tion the whole power of his vast empire
[1588.] The year 1588 was one of for the dethronement of the English
great importance for Scotland and for queen, the Scottish monarch consented to
Europe. We have had occasion to refer make common cause with her against
to the leagues of the popish sovereigns the common enemy of the Protestant
for the utter destruction of Protestantism, faith.  Nobly did the Scottish Church
in which  both the queen-regent and exert herself in this dark and threatening
Queen Mary were dee.ply implicated, and period. An extraordinary meeting of
on account of which they were continu- the Assembly was called, to deliberate
ally the objects of jealousy and distrust what steps ought to be taken in this omito their Protestant subjects.  Nor did nous aspect of public affairs. A deputaKing James escape similar suspicion and tion was sent to the king, to rouse him to
distrust. In the early part of his reign, due activity; and though he at first
when guided by his favourites Lennox seemed inclined to resent this, as an inand Arran, it was currently believed terference with his administration, yet
that the former was in correspondence the formidable nature of the impending
with the popish sovereigns on the Conti- danger induced him to name a committee
ncnt, and that the proceedings of James of the privy council, to co-operate with
against the Church were chiefly intended the commissioners of the Church in proeither to overthrow the Church of Scot- viding for the public safety. A solemn
land, and reintroduce Popery, or at least bond of allegiance and mutual defence
to secure the support of the great Conti- was framed, approved by his majesty,
nental powers in his pretensions to the zealously promoted by the ministers of
throne of England on the death of Eliz- the Church, and sworn by all ranks,
abeth.  And although there is no rea- knitting the kingdom together by a sason to suppose that James did really in- cred and patriotic tie.  The Spanish artend the overthrow of the reformed re- mada, fondly termed invincible, was soon
ligion in this country, yet a certain sus- after checked and baffled by the determined couraoge and persevering energy
Calderwood, p 227; Booke of the Universall Kirk, o te English fleet then smitten and
P 3.                                 of the English fleet, then smitten and




1591.]          HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    93
scattered over the stormy ocean by the What have they for them? they have no
avenging hand of Omnipotence.        institution. As for our neighbour Kirk
[1589.]  This signal deliverance, and in England, their service is an evil-said
the zeal and energy displayed by the mass in English; they want nothing of
Church in the hour of danger, produced the mass but the liftings. I charge you,
a beneficial influence upon both the king my good people, ministers, doctors, elders,
and the nation. An insurrection attempt- nobles, gentlemen, and barons, to stand to
ed by the popish party, of whom  the your purity; and I, forsooth, so long as I
Earls of Huntly, Errol, and Crawford brook my life and crown, shall maintain
were the leaders, was speedily put down; the same against all deadly."  This
and the king was earnestly urged to sup- speech was received by the Assembly
press Popery, and especially to expel with a transport of joy, "there was nofrom the kingdom the jesuit emissaries thing heard for a quarter of an hour, but
of the king of Spain. And the Church, praising God, and praying for the king."*
putting forth its own powers, excommu-  [1591.] Nothing of public importance
nicated Patrick Adamson, for performing occurred in the year 1591, except the rethe ceremony of marriage, uniting the cantation of Patrick Adamson, whose
popish Earl of Huntly to a lady of the dissolute life had at length so disgusted
Lennox family.                       the king, that he ceased to protect and
On the 22d of October, the same year, support him; and the miserable victim of
the king set sail for Norway, to meet the ambition was reduced to such extremities,
princess of Denmark, to whom he had as to be supported by the charity of Anbeen previously contracted; and their drew Melville, the man whom he had so
marriage was solemnized at Upsal, on often maligned and persueuted; and who,
the 24th of November. Before he de- in his time of distress, pitied, relieved, and
parted he had appointed a provisional forgave him. The unhappy man, torgovernment to conduct public affairs dur- tured by remorse, and wasted by iming his absence; nominating Robert morality, sunk into dotage, and died early
Bruce, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, in the following year.t
an extraordinary member of the privy   An incident took place the same year,
council; and declaring that he reposed which we should not have deemed of
more confidence in him and his brethren, sufficient importance to mention, had it
for preserving the country in peace, than not been for the reflex value given to it
he did in all his nobility. Nor was he by the occurrence of modern times. It
disappointed. During the six months was a collision between the judicatories
that the king was absent, the kingdom  of the Church and the Court of Session.
exhibited a scene of unwonted tranquillity; The transaction was of a somewhat comand the king was so sensible of the valu- plicated nature. Graham of lallyards,
able services of the Church, that in his it appears, had corrupted a notary public
letters to Bruce, he declared that he was to authenticate by his signature a forged
"worth the quarter of his kingdom."  instrument, by means of which Graham
[1590.]  When the king returned in intended to defraud the feuars of some
May 1590, he took the earliest opportu- property belonging to his wife. The
nity of acknowledging his grateful sense matter becoming suspected, the notary
of the valuable services rendered to him  was imprisoned, and during his confineby the Church, and gave promise of re-ment confessed to Patrick Simpson of
moving all remaining grievances, and Stirling, the minister by whom he was
providing better measures for the future. visited that he had been guilty of the
In the Assembly which met in August, crime. Graham   accused Simpson of
he pronounced his celebrated panegyric having suborned the poor notary; and
on the purity of the Church of Scotland. the Assembly took up the case, as impliHe praised God that he was born in cating the character of the minister. The
such a time as in the time of the light of Lord President, and two other Lords of
the Gospel, and in such a place as to be Session, appeared before the Assembly,
king in such a Kirk, the sincerest Kirk requiring them not to proceed with a
in the world."  " The Kirk of Geneva,  cause which was within the jurisdiction
continued he, " keepeth Pash and Yule.  - Calderwood, p. 286.  t Ibid., pp. 259-264.




94               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  [CHAP. III.
of the Court of Session, and already be- ing them, with the jurisdiction and disfore that court.  The Assembly declared cipline belonging to them, to be in all
that they had no intention to interfere time coming most just, good, and godly,
with any civil matter; but that, as the notwithstanding whatsoever statutes, acts,
case in question related to the character and  laws, canon, civil, or municipal,
of a minister, and to his discharge of his made to the contrary.  It ratified and empastoral functions, it was ecclesiastical, bodied also some of the leading proposiand belonged primario to the jurisdiction tions in the Second Book of Discipline,
of the Church.    Another attempt was relating to the power of these judicatories.
made by the Court of Session to set aside It appointed General Assemblies to be
this determination; but the Lord Justice held once every year, or oftener, pro re naClerk being -" demanded if he acknow- ta, as occasion should require; the time and
ledged the judgment and jurisdiction of place of next meeting to be appointed by
the Kirk or not?" he answered, " that he his majesty or his commissoner, or, proacknowledged with reverence the judg-v ded neither of them should be present,
ment of the Assembly in all causes ap- by the Assembly itself.  It declared that
pertaining to them; objecting, however, the act of the parliament 1584, respecting
that this was a civil cause, and that there- the royal supremacy, should be in nowise
fore the Lords were primario judices." prejudicial to the privileges of the officeThe Assembly repelled the objection, bearers of the Church concerning heads
found themselves judges in the first in- of religion, matters of heresy, excommustance, and, notwithstanding the protest nication, the appointment or deprivation
of the Lord Justice Clerk, proceeded to of ministers, or any such essential centryand determine the case.    The civil sures, warranted by the Word of God.
court thought proper to relinquish any And it declared the act of the same parfarther direct interference, but tried the liament, granting commission to bishops
cause in their own way, and left the and other judges appointed by his majesChurch to do the same; which seems, ty in ecclesiastical causes, to be null, and
indeed, to be the proper mode of avoiding of no avail, force, or effect in time corncollisions between co-ordinate jurisdic- ing; and ordained presentations to be ditions.*                                 rected to presbyteries, who should have
[1592.]  On the 22d of May 1592,the full power to give collation to benefices,
General Assembly met at Edinburgh, and to manage all. ecclesiastical causes
Robert Bruce, moderator.   As the king within their bounds, provided they adhad appeared more favourable to the mitted such qualified ministers as were
Church ever since he had experienced its presented by his majesty or other lay papower to promote the peace of the coun- trons.  In another part of the same act it
try during his absence in Norway, this was provided, that in case a presbytery
was thought a fitting time to procure an should refuse to admit a qualified minisamicable settlement of the protracted con- ter presented by the patron, it should be
flicts between the Church and the court. lawful to the patron to retain the whole
Articles, embodying the chief requests of fruits of that benefice in his own hands.
the Church, were accordingly drawn up Such. were the main provisions of the
and presented to the king.   When the celebrated act 1592; and, notwithstanding
parliament met in June, the same year, several imperfections, both in what it enthese articles were taken into considera- acts and in what it omits, it was then, and
tion, and an act was passed, greatly has ever since been regarded, as THE
through the influence of the Chancellor GREAT CHARTER OF TI-E CH-JUCHOF ScorMaitland, not, indeed, granting all that LAND.*
the Church desired, but of a much more'it deserves to be peculiarly remarked, that some
complete and satisfactory nature than any of the peculiarities of the act 1592, c, 116, are directly
previous legisldative enactment.       afavourable to the Church in that very respect in which
pevious legislative enactment.  they have been thought un'avourable. No express
The act 1592 ratified the General As- mention is made of the Second Book of Discipline, but
certain of its main topics are ratified, while others are
semblies, Synods, Presbyteries, and par- apparently passed over. Hence it has been argued,
ticular Sessions of the Church; declar- that nothin' has been ratified to the Church but what
tular Sesions of the  urch; declaris specifically mentioned in the act itself, and that
every other proposition in the Book of Discipline must
S potswood, p. 384; Booke of the Universall Kirk, be held to have been rejected. The true reason of this
pp. 354, 355; Baillie, Vindication, pp. 62, 63.  peculiarity in the act appears to be the following:



A. D. 1592 ]        HISTORY OF THE CHURCH            OF SCOTLAND.                      95
By this act of parliament the Church       would be, to secure to a spiritual Church
of Scotland was placed in a much better the freest and        fullest possible developeposition for promoting the public welfare, ment of its own sacred laws and disciwhich is the great end of any Church, pline, assured          that they would thereby
than she had previously occupied.       Not best promote that which ought to be their
that she regarded any parliamentary en- chief object,-the          true  welfare   of the
actnent as the basis of her religious con- nation.
stitution, but as merely a legal recognition of those sacred and intrinsic powers,
which she had always claimed as belonging to her by scriptural institution, and
the gift of her Divine Head and King;                     CHAPTER        IV.
and which she had already, in her Books
of Discipline, stated, proved, and put into   FROM THIE GREAT CHARTER OF THE CHURCH,
execution on   the sole authority of the        IN 1592, TO THE RATIFICATION OF THE FIVE
Word    of God.     The attentive    reader     ARTCLE   OF PERTr  IN THE YEAR 1621.
must have perceived how. steadily the        Remarks on the Act 1592-Detection of the Conspiracy
Church pursued her course, amidst the          of the Popish Lords-Duplicity of the King-Ex*~, *~. -  1 - * 1  i   communication of the Popish Lords by the Synod of
ever-shifting phases of the political world;   Fife-Act of Abolition-Secret Motives of the Kingat one time countenanced and supported         Ratification of the Synod's Sentence by the Assemat one time countenanced an  suppo d  bly-Support given to the King by the Church-Pro.
at another, opposed, calumniated, and          posal of a regular arrangement for fixed and local
XIrsecuted,  acrI. g  to  thevaryingr  Stipends-Reforming Assembly of 1596-Renewal
persecuted, according     to  the varying      of the National Covenant-Fresh Alarms from the
character and aims of successive civil ad-     Popih Lords-Deceitful conduct of the Ki-Interview between the King and Andrew Melvi'le-Jealministrations.   But while politicians in-     ousy between the Court and the Church-Proceedr  n  nt  ings against David Black-He declines the Jurisdictrigued, rose into   power, plunged     into   tion of t  le Civil Court, in the first tnstance-The
criminal excesses, fell and perished, the      Chulrch addresses the King-A Tumult in Edinburgh
-Proceedings of the Court-The Ministers of EdChurch displayed the calm grandeur of          inburgh expelled-First Corrupt General Assembly
an  institution  resting  upon   the fixed     held at Perth-Commissioners of the Church apan  insuon  esi n  pointed to deliberate with the King-Proposal to adprinciples of eternal truth, and, whether      mitRepresentatives from the Church into Parliament,
1697-Partially carried in 1598-Completed in 1600suffering or triumphant, maintaining her       Three Ministers secretly appointed to Bishoprics-integrrity,  and  following   with    firm    The Basilicon Doron-The Gowrie Conspiracy —In-i y   and. 0 ~  with  firm)   jurious Consequences to the Church-Robert Bruce
though bleeding steps, the path of right,      banished by the King-The Covenant virtually retof mercy, and of ]ove to GCod and man.        newed by the King-Assembly of 1602, the last free
of mercy, and of love to God and man.          Assembly-Case of Semple —TheAccession of James
From this statesmen might have learned         to the Throne of England-Hampton Court Confer11.|  y ^ l ~a,r,1? a th    ence-Proposals for a Union of Scotland and Eng-will they yet learn?-that the Church         land-Alarm of the Church-Arbitrary Prorogation
may be cast down, but cannot be destroy-       of the Assembly-eld at Aberdeen in 1605, notwithy be Cast dow, but Canno be e-.standing the Royal Prorogation-Banishment of the
ed; that their own devices against her         Ministers-Parliament restores the Temporalities of
will but issue, sooner or later, in their     Bishops in 1606-Andrew Melville summoned to LonWllL but Issule, soone'r or later, in theil    don, imprisoned, and banished-Constant Moderators
own ruin; that even sound political Sa-        appointed-Parliament restores the Civil Jurisdiction to Bishops in 1609-Court of High Commission in
gacity might warn them not to incur the        1610-The Assembly restores the Ecclesiastical Juris.
s  th diction of Bishops in 1610-This Act ratified by Parhazard of shattering into fragmentei           limein 1612-New Confession of Faith in 1616own frail schemes of human expediency          Calderwood banished-Five Articles of Perth in 1618
— Ratified by Parliament in 1621-Reflections.
against the adamantine strength of sacred
principles; and that their wisest measure      ALTHOUGH the act of parliament passed
in the year 1592, and commonly known
When the Second Book of Discipline was laid before Ia the Great Charter of the Church of
the privy council, certain articles, chiefly those relating Scotland was then, and must always be,
to government and jurisdiction by Assemblies, Synods, Scotland,  as  en and
and Presbyteries, were referred to farther considera- regarded as a very important measure,
tion, whilst others were at once ratified. Now, on       s a   ei       pr.       s
comparing the copy of the Book of Discipline in Spots- giving legislative sanction to most of the
wood, where the marginal comments of the privy chief principles ofthe government and
council are given, with the act 1592, it is remarkable
that none of those marked "agreed" are contained in discipline of the Church, yet it was not
the act, while the chief of those marked "referred"  1     ral eci     y sei        defet
are. From this the conclusion seems inevitable, that  ithout several decidedly serious defects.
having already agreed to these in the privy council, it It was evasive in its recognition of the
was not held necessary to specify any but those which
had been left for future consideration, and, conse- Book of Discipline, as if leaving it open
quently, that partly by the concurrence of the privy to disp'te  whetherthe enrrrsin gr ofsome
council in 1578, and partly by the act 1592, thus com-                               ome
bined, the whole of the Second Book of Discipline was of the provisions of that book, formerly
ratified, and became the law of the land, as well as the; referred,  was to be regarded as an imlaw of the Church.rred                                       was to be rearded as an im




96              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. IV.
pliclt sanction of the whole, seeing that done. The evasive nature of the recogthe privy council had already "agreed" nition of the Book of Discipline showed
to the rest; or whether it might not be the unchanged hostility entertained by the
held that every part was excluded except king and the nobility against a system
what was expressly mentioned.   The of moral and religious discipline too pure
former view must have been that which and uncompromising to find favour in
was entertained by the Church, and the estimation of dissolute, haughty, and
which not merely every man of candour worldly-minded men. That the enforcewill entertain, but which also every clear ment of ecclesiasticaldiscipline would still
reasoner will see to be necessary, other- be resisted, was therefore abundantly apwise the act is self-contradictory and ab- parent, notwithstanding the evasive sancsurd. But still, the ambiguity of the act tion of the act of parliament. And it was
in that respect has given occasion to the equally evident that, by the rigid retenlegal sophist, in several periods, to bring tion of lay patronages, the king and the
forward specious objections against the nobility were determined to keep posdiscipline of the Church of Scotland, on session of the means whereby they might
the plea of its wanting full statutory au- either corrupt the Church, or contrive to
thority. Another decided evil was the hold fast her patrimony within their sacclause which half prohibited the Assem- rilegious grasp.
bly from meeting except when the time  But although there thus remained these
and place of its next meeting had been strong elements of antagonism between
appointed by his majesty or his commis- the king and the Church, there was no
sioner; its own authority being enough urgent reason why they might not have
only when neither the king nor his re- continued in a state of dormancy for an
presentative was present.  This after- indefinite length of time.  That the
wards enabled the king repeatedly to sus- Church did not wish to urge matters to
pend its meetings altogether; and, when an immediate contest, was evident from
it did meet without his previous appoint- the very fact of her receiving the act
ment, gave some colour to his hostile 1592, defective as it was, without oppoproceedings against its leading members. sition, and even with gratitude.  And
But the most injurious part of the act had the king been sincere in his expres1592 was that which imposed upon both sions of friendship and estimation, he
the Church and the people the intolera- needed not to have provoked hostility by
ble yoke and enslaving fetters of lay pa- an early and harsh enforcement of the
tronage.  How fatal the " binding and harmful powers which that act enabled
astricting" clause has been to the Church, him to retain.  Their mere existence in
her whole subsequent history testifies, the statute-book  ought to have been
and perhaps no period more so than the enough to satisfy him that the Church
present.                             could not, even were she disposed, make
The reader will perceive that these de- any dangerous encroachments upon his
fects in this enactment left the Church cherished prerogatives. And had they
still exposed to danger on the very points been allowed to remain solely as latent
on which she had been always most but complete preventive checks against
fiercely and perseveringly assailed. The any sudden democratic movement of the
freedom of the Assembly, and its right Church, the whole of what even his
to meet for the discharge of its important jealousy of his arbitrary prerogative
duties whenever necessity required, had deemed necessary might have been peacebeen gainsaid by SecretaryLethington in fully secured; and when that jealousy
Queen Mary's days; had been questioned had subsided, he might have removed
by the Regent Morton, and had been for these defeats from the enactment, and
a time neutralized or overborne by King thereby perfected the constitution of the
James, during the period of the tulchan country, by the harmonious agreement
bishops.  This was again placed in peril, and mutually supporting connection of
and that too, by a regular legislative enact- Church and State; exerting themselves
ment, on the strength of which the king in their respective spheres, undisturbed
might proceed to greater severities and by mutual jarrings and suspicions, for
more plausibly than had been formerly the advancement of the great end of both




A. D. 1592.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    97
-the promotion and the security of the  The preceding  remarks we have
civil aeid sacred welfare of the nation. deemed it expedient to make, for the purSuch was not, however, to be the case. pose of placing before our readers clearly
A short time was sufficient to show that the position of the Church after the passJames had caused the elements of strife ing of the great charter of 1592, and the
to be retained in the act 1592, expressly dangers still to be apprehended from the
for the purpose of putting them into ex- defects of that enactment, and the perniecution on the earliest opportunity, for cious elements which it contained. But
the overthrow of a Church whose prin- we must now resume the narrative, and
ciples, spirit, and discipline were too trace the progress of events.
sacred, independent, and pure, to suit the  The act 1592 almost took the Church
taste and comport with the habits of a by surprise.  The ministers had striven
monarch at once crafty and despotic, and so long for a legislative rat';cation of the
of courtiers both avaricious and dissolute. liberty of the Church, of General AssemIt may seem, strange that James, who had blies, Synods, and Presbyteries, and of
experienced so much treachery on the discipline, and had met so many disappart of his nobility, and been exposed to pointments, evasions, and direct violations
personal danger from their factious and of the most solemn promises from the
daring attempts; and, on the other hand, ruling powers, that though they continhad found such constant fidelity to his ued to strive, they seem almost to have
cause, and zeal in his behalf, in every ceased to expect success.  They appear
time of peril, from the Church, notwith- to have acted on the great general prinstanding his injurious treatment of it,-  ciple, that for the discharge of known
that with such strong and repeated proofs duty man is responsible,-for success
which was the more trustworthy party, he is not; and that therefore their duty
he could still favour the schemes of the was to continue their exertions, and leave
treacherous and selfish aristocracy, and the result to God, in whose hands are the
distrust and persecute the faithful and issues of all events. Yet they have been
disinterested Church. But it has always censured for accepting a measure which
been the fault and the misfortune of kings fell so far short of what they sought to
and statesmen to give their countenance obtain, and which contained elements
to sycophants and mercenary tools, whom  capable of being roused into the most
they can manage and employ for any pernicious activity. But it should be conpurpose, however guilty and base, rather sidered that men who are very far above
than to men whose principles are too lofty taking expediency as their rule in matfor them to comprehend, and whose in- ters of duty, may, with a safe conscience,
tegrity is beyond their power to move. accept of a measure comparatively deAnd James knew well that he could fective, for which they could not have
mould and bias his courtiers by the arti- striven; regarding it as, though not a
fices of that "1 kingcraft" in which he satisfactory, and consequently not a final
thought himself a most accomplished settlement, yet, upon the whole, a great
adept; but that in the high-souled minis- advancement towards a better state of
ters of the Presbyterian Church, when matters than had previously existed, and
met together in their own free General containing a ratification of the most esAssembly, he encountered men whom    sential of their own leading principles.
neither his arts could blind nor his threat- Such appear to have been the sentiments
enings overawe. Hence his determina- of the most active and influential (f the
tion to retain, even in the act recognising ministers when this very important act
and ratifying the liberty of the Church, was passed; and while they disapproved
a seeming innocuous clause, by which of those points in it which have been spe
he might be able to.prohibit the meetings cified, still, as it went beyond their geneof the Assembly, whenever he appre- ral expectation, they received it with joy
hended from it a decided opposition to and gratitude. It may be mentioned also.
his schemes; or to call it together when that, between the passing of the act and
he should have succeeded in corrupting its being publicly proclaimed, the eneits members by means of the patronage- mies of the Church attempted to deny
enforcing clause.                   that any such measure either had been
13




98              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IV.
or would be enacted by the parliament; council, they testified to the genuineness
and their very hostility and opposition of the signatures, and confessed he nawould tend to secure for it the more ready ture and extent of the conspiracy. It
and cordial acceptation by all who were was, indeed, one of a most perilous and
friendly to the Church.*             flagrant character.  The king of Spain
A very short time elapsed, after the was to have landed thirty thousand men
passing of this act, when the Church had on the west coast of Scotland, part of
again occasion to show that her intrinsic whom were to invade England, and the
powers had not been fettered by an act remainder, in concert with the forces
which professed to ratifyher freedom; and which the three earls promised to have
that to enter into a solemn compact with in readiness, were to suppress the Prothe State was not to lay aside her native testants, and to procure the re-establishspiritual independence, and to assume a ment of the Romish religion in Scotgilded yoke.  Towards the end of the land.*
year 1592, the jealousy of all sound-   [1593.] The privy council and the
hearted Protestants, and especially of the ministers of Edinburgh having thus reministers,-those vigilant guardians both ceived proof positive of the dangerous
of the purity of religion and of the pub- conspiracy existing in the kingdom, islic welfare,-was strongly excited, partly sued letters calling upon the well-affected
by the known presence and activity of to hasten to the capital, for the purpose
priests and Jesuits within the kingdom, of consulting what steps were to le taken
and partly by indefinite intimations of in a matter of such a formidable characdanger from abroad. The sense of im- ter. At the same time they earnestly bepending peril, the more alarming on ac- sought the king, who was at the time abcount of its unascertained character and sent, to hasten to Edinburgh, and aid his
extent, alarmed the country in general, faithful subjects in the defence of the
but seemed to give no uneasiness to the commonwealth.  The Earl of Angus,
king. An extraordinary meeting of the unaware that the conspiracy had been
ministers was convoked in Edinburgh detected, happening to come to the capion the 15th of November, and measures tal at the same time, was seized and cornwere framed calculated to provide for the mitted to the castle. Upon his majesty's
safety of the Church and kingdom, by arrival, instead of thanking his people
exerting the utmost vigilance for the de- for the zeal and vigilance which they
tection of the popish machinations; and had displayed in behalf of the religion
to these measures the king gave his ap- and liberties of the country, he broke out
probation.                           into peevish and ill-timed complaints of
The necessity and the wisdom of these their conduct in seizing the Earl of Anprecautions became very soon evident. gus, and in convoking the lieges without
Andrew Knox, minister of Paisley, hav- his previous command, which he resented
ing received secret intelligence respecting as a grievous encroachment upon his preone of the popish emissaries, hastened to rogative.  They answered, as such metl
the island of Cumray, accompanied by a might have been expected to answer,
number of Glasgow students and some' "That it was no time to attend on warnneighbouring  gentlemen, and   seized ings when their religion, prince, country,
George Ker, brother of Lord Newbattle, lives, lands, and all were brought into
as he was on the point of embarking for jeopardy by such treasonable dealings."
Spain. A number of letters were found But when their whole proceedings were
in his possession from priests in Scot- detailed, and the full nature and extent
land; and several blanks subscribed by of the conspiracy made known to him,
the popish Earls of Huntly, Errol, and his petulant fume passed off he called
Angus, with a commission to William   Angus ":a traitor of traitors," and deCrighton, a Jesuit, to fill up the blanks, dared that the crime of the conspirators
and address them   to the persons for was too great for his prerogative to parwhom they were intended. Graham of don, promising to proceed to trial of the
Fintry was soon afterwards apprehended; accused "with all diligence and seand leing both examined before the privy verity."' Melville's Diary pp. 198, and 201.  Melville's Diary, 1) 205; Calderwood, pp. 275-280.




A. D. 1593.     HISTORY OF TIE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    99
James now thought it necessary to act ment of his majesty, intimating that he
with at least the appearance of sincerity. could not with honour see that provision
A proclamation was issued, specifying infringed;  and further, requested them
the genera] nature of the detected con- to make an act prohibiting any minister,
spiracy, and commanding all who hated on pain of deposition, from uttering in
subjection to foreign tyranny to abstain public any animadversions on the confrom intercourse with popish priests, on duct of his majesty or the privy council.
pain of treason; and to hold themselves The Assembly agreed to the provision
in readiness to defend the country, " as of the act 1592, it being reserved to them
they should be certified by his majesty, to meet on their own authority, provided
or otherwise find the occasion urgent."' his majesty or his commissioner were
And as some suspicion of the king's sin- not present, and ordained  that no
cerity had been excited by his first ex- minister " utter any rash or irreverent
pression of displeasure with the prompt speeches against his majesty or council,
zeal of his people, he thought proper to but that all their public admonitions propass an act of council, prohibiting all ceed upon just and necessary causes, in.
from attempting to procure the pardon of all fear, love, and reverence, under pain
the conspirators.  The nation immedi- of deposition."*  These  proceedings
ately testified its delight with the king's could give little satisfaction to either
conduct, by framing and extensively sub- party, and indicated but to  plainly a
scribing a bond in defence of religion mutual distrust, likely ere long to come
and the government, and preparing zeal- to an open rupture. Some steps wers
ously to protect and support the king and taken by that Assembly to prevent furthe public peace. The king marched ther dilapidation of Church property, and
northwards against the conspirators; but for the enforcement of discipline and the
they merely concealed themselves from  maintenance of public morality and
immediate apprehension; and the king, peace.
notwithstanding his own act of privy   The parliament met in July, and procouncil, received favourably those who ceeded with the trial of the popish lords;
were sent to intercede in behalf of the but Ker had been permitted. to escape a
detected traitors.                   short while previously; and the parliaThe General Assembly met at Dun- ment listened to the offers of submission
dee on the 24th of April, according to made by the conspirators, and rejected
their own previous arrangement, and the bill of attainder against them, on the
without waiting to be called together by pretext of want of evidence. Great and
his majesty.  The proceedings of that general was the dissatisfaction caused by
Assembly, although of no great moment, this injudicious lenity to men guilty of
furnished sufficient indication of the repeated acts of treason; and strong susgrowing jealousy between the king and picions arose in the minds of many that
the Church. The Assembly appointed his majesty's own attachment to the Procommissioners to present to the king an testant faith was but hollow and insinaddress and petition, containing several cere. The synod of Fife, at its meeting
articles in regard to which they craved in September, determined to take such,redress. One was, that he would adopt steps as were competent to it, as a church
strong measures for the suppression of court, towards counteracting the injurious
the popish party, and in the meantime lenity of the king and parliament. On
that they should be excluded from all the ground that the Earls of Angus and
public official situations, and denied ac- Errol had, when students at St. Andrews,
cess to his majesty's presence. Another within the bounds of that synod, subwas, that his majesty would consider the scribed the Confession of Faith, and
great prejudice done to the Church by thereby rendered themselves amenable
the erection of the tithes of different pre- to its jurisdiction, and that Huntly had
lacies into titular lordships. The king, murdered the Earl of Murray within its
on the other hand, by his commissioner, bounds, the synod of Fife proceeded to
directed the attention of the Assembly to pass the sentence of excommunication
that part of the act 1592 which required against these apostate conspirators, and
its meetings to be held by the appoint- * Booke of the Universall Kirk, pp. 385, 386.




100            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP IV.
sent intimation of what had been done The conclusion of the trial was the pass
throughout the country. Intimation was ing of what was termed an " act of abolialso given, that a general meeting of tion," by which the popish lords were
commissioners from the different counties ordained  to give satisfaction to the
of the kingdom, consisting of noblemen, Church, and to embrace the Protestant
gentlemen, burgesses and ministers, was faith, or else to leave the kingdom within
to be held at Edinburgh on the 17th of a limited time; the process against them
October. The king was extremely an- was dropped and consigned to oblivion;
noyed with these measures.  They were and they were declared " free and unacso completely in unison with his former cusable in all time coming' of the crimes
declarations against the popish conspira- laid to their charge, provided they did
tors, and so naturally resulting from the not for the future enter into any treason
bond of defence previously subscribed able correspondence with foreigners.
with his concurrence, that he could not  This arrangement was equally unsatjustly find direct fault with them, and yet isfactory to the Church and to the greater
so contrary to his recent treatment of the part of the nation. It was well undertraitors that he could not approve of them. stood at that time, and might be still, that
With his usual craft, he attempted to the determined adherents of Popery
tamper with several of the noblemen and could easily obtain absolution from Rome
the ministers, to prevent the intimation for any oaths or concessions made to Proof the sentence of excommunication, and testants, provided they continued to plot
also to impair the effect of the coming the destruction of the Protestant religion;
convention.  Not succeeding  in his and therefore, that to think of binding
schemes, he again dissembled; and be- such men with oaths and protestations,
ing about to proceed to the borders to however solemn, was about as wise as to
suppress some seditious and turbulent af- think of fettering a beast of prey with a
fairs, he promised that he would show skein of rotten silk. Nor was it without
no favour to the conspirators,       reason that James was himself distrusted.
On the very same day on which this He had repeatedly broken his most solpromise was given, the king admitted the emn pledges, and brought his word into
conspirators to his presence at Fala, and such suspicion, that the more earnestly
made arrangements with them respect- he protested, the less he was believed.
ing their trial. The convention appoint- Besides, the ruling motives of his whole
ed commissioners to follow James to Jed- policy were well known to such men as
burgh, and lay their complaints before Andrew Melville and Robert Bruce.
him. The reception given by his ma- They were aware of his secret interjesty to his faithful and zealous subjects course with England, for the purpose of
was very different from that which he promoting his succession to the throne of
had granted to the traitors a few days be- that kingdom; and they knew that he
fore. He termed the convention an un- would hesitate at nothing, however base
lawful meeting, complained of the sen- and deceptive, which seemed likely to
tence of excommunication, and even forward his views. He knew that there
threatened to call a parliament for the was a strong popish party still in Engpurpose of overthrowing Presbyterian land, and he was desirous of conciliating
and restoring Prelacy.  When he had them and procuring their support, which
expended his wrath in idle threats, he he sought to do by his lenient treatment
grew calmer, and returned to the petition of his own popish rebels. To this it may
of the commissioners a written answer, be added, that the political principles of
containing promises sufficiently fair, but papists were more agreeable to a moas idle.* It is unnecessary to dwell upon narch so devoted to despotic power and
the wretched tergiversation of the king uncontrolled prerogative as James, than
in this very important matter. A con- could possibly be the free spirit which
vention of estates was held at Linlithgow  lived and breathed in the Presbyterian
in October, and arrangements were made Church of Scotland. For the same rea
for the final trial of the rebel lords at son Episcopacy obtained his peculiar faHIolyrood-house in the following month, vour; as his cunning enabled him to
*Melville's Dairy, p. 208.  perceive, that he might more easily exer



A. D. 1594.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  101
cise an influence upon prelates who de- dealt in the same manner with those
rived from him their wealth and titles, higher delinquents whose greater offence
and who, as seekers of such selfish pre- the king seemed more willing to forgive.
eminence, were likely to be worldly- The sentence of excommunication prominded and sycophantish men, than he nounced against the conspirators by the
could ever hope to do upon ministers synod of Fife, was approved and ratified
who, deriving nothing from him, owed by the Assembly; but Lord Home, who
him nothing but natural allegiance. And had also been excommunicated, appearhe had another reason for wishing to re- ing and confessing his offence, abjured
store Prelacy; he thought that his doing popery, and was released fiom the senso would recommend him to the favour tence. It deserves to be remarked, that
and support of the English prelates, who the moderator of the Assembly, Andrew
both hated and feared the Presbyterian Melville, not being satisfied with Lord
Church government of Scotland, as a Home's professions of repentance, but
standing rebuke to their own unscrip- doubting their sincerity, felt conscientious
tural system. All these reasons combined scruples respecting pronouncing the act
to induce this crafty yet weak-minded of the absolution; and the Assembly,
monarch to favour the treacherous abet- with a due regard to his feelings, aptors of despotism, civil and religious, and pointed another person to discharge that
to discountenance the fiiends of genuine duty. In more modern times, men who
freedom,-a line of policy which he pur- made no pretension to tenderness of consued throughout his life, and left as a science themselves, showed no such toldire heritage to his successors, and which eration of the conscientious convictions
they followed with infatuated pertinacity, and difficulties of others. Yet this is not
till the ill-omened race reaped the bane- strange, though deplorable; for men natful fruits of generations of falsehood and urally estimate others by their own stanoppression, and became extinct after years dard; and he who knows that for him to
of exiled, discrowned, unhonoured, and plead tenderness of conscience would be
unpitied wretchedness.               hypocrisy, regards that plea in others as
[1594.] It is for the civil historian to entitled to no better name.
relate the minor turmoils of the nation;  Another instance of the loyalty, public
such as those caused by the turbulent spirit, and energy of the Church may be
and ambitious earl of Bothwell, the suc- stated. The popish lords, who had precessor in title and in character of him by viously entered into a treasonable correswhom Darnley was murdered and Mary pondence with the King of Spain, and
disgraced and ruined, but an illegitimate who had been so leniently treated by
scion of the royal race, being a grandson James, were again detected continuing
of James V. The only reason why such their treacherous plots. The king, irrievents are mentioned here is, that their tated into sincerity, gave commission to
effects were not unfrequently felt in eccle- the Earl of Argyle to march against the
siastical matters; as, for example, where traitors, and subdue them by force, while
Bothwell, anxious to gain strength, pre- he himself proposed to proceed by Abertended to befriend the Church, and deen, to see the command fully executed.
thought thereby to procure the support of Argyle encountered the rebel lords, but
individual ministers at least, if not of the sustained a partial defeat. On the day afAssembly, so completely did the Church ter this conflict the king left Edinburgh,
stand aloof from him and his measures, and marched towards Aberdeen, taling
that he was able to deceive and ensnare with him Andrew and James Melville,
but one minister; and upon the complaint and some other ministers, to witness his
of the king, that minister was deposed, zealous discharge of his determination to
till he should satisfy his majesty and the suppress wholly the popish conspirators.
Church.*                             But before any decisive measures had
The same Assembly which so readily been taken, the money raised by the king
testified its abhorrence of treason, by for the support of the army was so far
punishing one of its own members who expended, that the troops were on the
had been accused of favouring that crime, point of being disbanded for want of pay.
Booke of the Universall Kirk. p. 408.  In this emergency, James Melville was




102             HISTORY OF THE CHUROil OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. IV.
sent back to Edinburgh for the purpose time of the regent Morton s administraof inducing the ministers to raise, by the tion it had been customary for men in
contributions of their congregations, a power to endeavour to throw  two or
sum of money to assist the king. This three parishes into4one, appointing but
mission he accomplished with extraordi- one minister for all, and retaining the
nary speed and success, and thereby ena- fruits of the remaining benefices in
bled the king to keep his forces together their own hands; and also to change the
till the object of the expedition was ef- amount of the teind (or tithe) from year
fected, by the demolition of the strong to year, so as not unfiequently to compel
holds of the conspirators. Even this was the minister to leave his charge from posinearly defeated by the vacillation of the tive want of the necessaries of life. The
unstable monarch.  Scarcely had James act of annexation, and the erection of titMelville left the camp, when James was ular lordships, had greatly increased the
on the point of frustrating the whole process of spoliation.  To remedy these
scheme, by yielding to the advice of those grievances the Assembly proposed that
who wished him to spare the rebels. some of the most intelligent of the minThe energy and high principle of An- isters from every province should make
drew Melville prevailed even in the coun- themselves well acquainted with the afcils of the camp, and saved his sovereign fairs of their own districts, and then confrom this disgrace. A little, a very little vene in Edinburgh, and draw up a statereal wisdom might have enabled James ment respecting the number of parish
to perceive who were his best friends and churches which ought to be in each pres.
wisest councillors, and upon whom he bytery, the amount of available tithes, by
might with the greatest confidence depend whom held, and on what tenure; that,
in any time of emergency; but unfbrtu- acting upon the certain knowledge thus
nately for himself and the kingdom, he acquired, a continuing form, or durable
loved flattery better than advice, and pre- arrangement, might be made, by which
ferred courtly sycophants to bold and such injurious proceedings might for the
honest patriots.                     future, be prevented.  This' constant
[1595.] An Assembly was held at plat," as it was termed, might have been
Montrose in June 1595, in which no productive of much good had it been
matters of great importance were trans- carried into effect; but the kingy seeing
acted; but some suggestions were brought the anxiety of the Church to have the
forward, containing the germs of much arrangement made, availed himself of it
possible good, although afterwards em- as a measure, by promising to ratify
ployed for evil. It was proposed that the which he might induce the ministers to
acts of Assembly should be examined  comply with some ensnaring scheme of
and those which had special reference to his own.
the practice of the Church extracted, and  [1596.] The year 1596 is peculiarly
joined with the Book of Discipline, for memorable in the history of the Church
the information and guidance of all min- of Scotland. "It had," says James Melisters throughout the kingdom. The pro- ville, " a strange mixture and variety;
posal was not carried into execution; but the beginning thereof with a show of
it served to show how completely the profit, in planting the churches with perBook of Discipline was regarded by the petual local stipends the midst of it very
Church as her standard of government. comfortable for the exercise of reformaA commission was also given to certain tion and renewing the covenant; but the
brethren to inquire into the state of the end of it tragical, in wasting the Zion of
revenues of the Church in every presby- our Jerusalem, the church of Edinburgh,
tery, to prevent dilapidations, and to se- and threatening no less to many of the
cure that they should be expended in,he rest.*  The first thing which occupied
support of the ministry, according to the attention of the Assembly was an
their original destination. But the sug- overture from John Davidson, minister
gestion of greatest moment arose from a of Prestonpans, concerning the necessity
desire to provide a remedy for an abuse of reforming the many prevalent corrupwhich had been productive of great in- tions of the Church and the country.
jury to the cause of religion. From the         Melville's Dairy, p. 222.




A. D. 1596.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     103
The overture met with unanimous appro- should be repeated in the several synods
bation, the conscience of every man pres- and presbyteries, and that it should also
ent convincing him  of his own need be extended to congregations.  This orof humiliation and repentance.  Order dinance was obeyed with such a degree
was given that a written form of confes- of readiness and fervour, and with such
sion should be drawn up, containing an manifestations of sincere contrition, as
enumeration of the evils to be reformed, proved that it both sprang from and was
under the four following heads: corrup- accompanied by the all-pervading power
tions in the persons and lives of the min- of the Spirit of God. At Dunfermline
isters of the gospel; offences in his ma- the synod of Fife met, and conducted the
jesty's house; the common corruptions duties of the solemn transaction in a
of all estates; and offences in the courts peculiarly impressive manner.  The
of justice.  On the motion of Melville, synod was addressed by David Ferguthe means to be employed for reforming son, one of the first six ministers engaged
ministers, and the censures to be inflicted in the Reformation, and now the sole
ct'hemfor particular acts ofdelinquency, survivor; who, after giving a brief acwere specified. As confession is the pri- count of the perils that had been encounmary step of reformation, the members tered, and difficulties surmounted in that
of Assembly agreed to meet by them- great work, urged his younger brethren
selves, for the purpose of jointly confes- to fidelity and zeal in their less hazardous
sing their sins, and "making promise be- toils and duties.  Many a dark and
fore the Majesty of God" to amend their stormy day had the reforming patriarch
conduct.  They met accordingly in the seen and struggled through; and his
Little Church, on Tuesday the 30th of grave words must have sounded to his
March. John Davidson, the author of younger brethren like the voice of warnthe overture, was chosen to preside and ing, admonition, and encouragement,
lead their devotional exercises. So deeply breathed forth to his sons by a departing
searching were his words, that they father.
wrought conviction in every heart; and  Men of the world may smile at the
his earnest and humble confession of sin thought; but we do not hesitate to say,
drew tears of sincere penitence from  that we regard this solemn confession of
every eye. While they were in this sin and renewal of the covenant as an exframe of mind, he called upon them to press means employed by Divine Provipause, and in the privacy of their own dence to prepare the Church for the
souls to acknowledge, each man for him- wasting conflict in which she was soon
self, his personal guilt before God.'For to be engaged,-the fiery trial through
a quarter of an hour a solemn stillness which she was soon to pass.  It was the
reigned, broken only bydeep-drawn sighs communication of spiritual strength enaand heavy, half-stifled sobs, as each man bling her to live through a period of
searched apart the dark chambers of his dreary oppression and prostrate suffering,
own bosom. After another fervent prayer without which she must have perished;
and impressive address, they rose from  like the food given to Elijah by the angel,
their seats at his desire, and lifting up to sustain him in his journey through the
their right hands, they renewed their wilderness, which would otherwise have
covenant with God, "protesting to walk been'" too great for him."
more warily in their ways, and to be    The attempt to establish the mode of
more diligent in their charges."  "There supporting the ministry on a firm and
have been many days," says Calderwood; satisfactory basis, called by the writers
4" of humiliation for present judgments, or of that period the " constant plat," occuimminent dangers; but the like for sin pied a portion of the attention of the
and defection was never seen since the re- Assembly.  The scheme proposed for
formation."*                          consideration was drawn up by Secretary
As this solemn confession of sin re- Lindsay, and may be seen at length in
garded the nation, that it might be done Melville's Diary.*  It deserves the attennationally, the Assembly ordained that it tion of public men yet, containing many
suoggestions which, if carried into effect.
Calderwood, pp. 317, 318; Melville's Dairy, pp. 232,  b 
233. Booke of the Universall Kirk, pp. 426-429.' Melville's Dairy, pp. 223-229.




'04             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. IV.
would greatly promote the welfare of the arms, provide supplies, and prepare to
community. But its principles were too meet the meditated attacks,-while the
sound, and its arrangements too liberal, public mind was in this state of tremulous
to gain the favour of the king and his excitement, an additional element of
avaricious courtiers; who, having seized alarm was given by the tidings that the
upon what even this scheme terms " the popish lords had secretly entered the
patrimony of the Church," could not be kingdom.  The affairs of the court
prevailed upon to make restitution of the tended to increase the public distrust and
pillage. The main principles of Lind- anxiety. Since the death of Chancellor
say's scheme were the same as those Maitland the administration of affairs had
which had been proposed by Knox and been entrusted to eight persons, cornthe early reformers:-That the whole ronly called Oclavians, the greater part
tithes should be regarded as the patri- of whom were either known or suspected
mony of the Church; and that they Papists. It was at once believed that
should be expended in the support of the they were privy to the return of the conministers of the gospel, a national system  spirators, and would exert themselves to
of education, and the poor of the land. procure for those traitors both indemnity
Could this scheme have been carried into and admission to his majesty's councils;
effect, it must have prevented many evils, in which case the nation might speedily
and produced benefits altogether incalcu- be exposed to all the horrors of a popish
lable.  It would have placed the minis- persecution, of which it had not yet lost
ters in that happy medium, congenial to the remembrance.
the spirit of Presbytery, alike remote  It soon appeared that these suspicions
from the evils and temptations of wealth were too well founded. A meeting of
and of poverty,-rendering the return of the privy council was summoned at FalkPrelacy impracticable, and delivering the land, to take into consideration an offer
Church from  those insidious arts by of submission by Huntly,for himself and
which James sought to gain the aid his associates. Certain ministers, whom
of the poor and the ambitious. It might the court judged more complying than
also have produced such a harmonious the rest, were invited to attend this meetadjustment of all the great interests of the ing, to give their advice. Plausible argucommunity,-at once cultivating the na- ments were employed by the friends
tional mind and mitigating the bitter evils of the exiled noblemen, to induce the
of poverty and want,-as would have council to sanction their return, lest, like
secured the peace and happiness of the Coriolanus and Themistocles, they should
commonwealth to a degree that never yet join the enemies of their country; but
has been experienced in any age or Andrew Melville, who had of his own
country.  But, like every scheme of accord joined the other ministers, uttered
Christian benevolence devised by the a bold and strong remonstrance against
Church of Scotland, and from time to receiving into favour convicted traitors
time re-produced by her friends, it was and popish apostates, enemies at once of
frustrated by the narrow  and selfish their native country and of the gospel.
views of kings and statesmen, who seem  Melville was commanded to withdraw,
never yet to have learned that to secure his presence not having been required,
the nation's good, and not their own which he did, having thus first exoneraggrandisement, is the very end of their ated his conscience. The council came tc
public being, and that, indeed, their own the resolution that Huntly might be retrue welfare and that of the community stored upon his acceding to such conare one.                             ditions as the king and council should
To proceed with our narrative: Ru- prescribe. This resolution gave so much
mours of a near impending Spanish in- offence, that the king thought proper
vasion began to pervade the kingdom. twice to declare publicly that he.did not
While men's minds were in a state of mean to act upon it; yet a short time
great anxiety on account of these tidings, afterwards a convention of estates was
and after the king had himself given or- held at Dunfermline, and the Falkland
ders for military musters, and urged the resolution there approved of and ratified.
ministers to exhort their ptrple to take  His majesty's manifest breach of faith




A. D. 1596.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  105
increased the public alarm so greatly, that ual kingdom, both jointly and severally;
the commissioners of the Assembly and the which no Christian king or prince
some country gentlemen met at Cupar in should control and discharge, but fortify
Fife, and appointed a deputation to wait and assist; otherwise they are not faithful
on the king, and petition him to prevent subjects of Christ and members of his
the evil consequences which must result Church. We will yield to you your
from  such proceedings.  It had been place, and give you all due obedience;
agreed that James Melville should be the but again, I say, you are not the head of
person to address his majesty, because of the Church; you cannot give us that
his courteous manner, and the favourable eternal life which we seek for even in
regard which the king had shown him. this world, and you cannc' deprive us of
Scarcely had he begun to speak when it. Permit us then freely 0 meet in the
the king interrupted him, challenged the name of Christ, and to attend to the intermeeting at Cupar as seditious, and ac- ests of that Church of which you are the
cused them of exciting causeless fears in chief member.  Sir, when you were in
the minds of the people. As James Mel- your swaddling clothes, Christ Jesus
ville was beginning a reply, couched in reigned freely in this land, in spite of all
his mildest terms, his uncle, Andrew, his enemies. His officers and ministers
finding that the occasion demanded a full convened and assembled for the ruling
and uncompromising statement of first and welfare of his Church, which was
principles, quitted the subordinate posi- ever for your welfare, defence and prestion which he had been willing for the ervation, when these same enemies were
time to occupy, and confronting the king, seeking your destruction. Their assembegan to address him. James endeav- blies since that time continually have
oured authoritatively to command Mel- been terrible to these enemies, and most
ville to silence; but his high spirit was stedfast to you. And now, when there is
roused, and could not be overborne. more than extreme necessity for the conSeizing the king's robe by the sleeve, in tinuance and discharge of that duty, will
the earnestness of his mind and action, you (drawn to your own destruction by a
and terming him " God's silly vassal," he most pernicious counsel) begin to hinder
addressed him in a strain such as few and dishearten Christ's servants and
kings have ever had the happiness to your most faithful subjects, quarrelling
hear, "uttering their commission as from  them for their convening, and the care
the mighty God."                    they have of their duty to Christ and
Sir," said he, " we will always hum- you, when you should rather commend
bly reverence your majesty in public; and countenance them, as the godly kings
but since we have this occasion to be with and emperors did? The wisdom of your
your majesty in private, and since you counsel, which I call devilish, is this, that
are brought in extreme danger of your you must be served by all sorts of men,
life and crown, and along with you the to come to your purpose and grandeur,
country and the Church of God are like Jew and Gentile, Papist and Protestant;
to go to wreck, for not telling you the and because the Protestants and ministers
truth and giving you faithful counsel, we of Scotland are over strong, and control
must discharge our duty, or else be trai- the king, they must be weakened and
tors both to Christ and you. Therefore, brought low by stirring up a party against
Sir, as divers times before I have told you, them, and, the king being equal and
so now again I must tell you, there are indifferent, both should be fain to flee to
two kings and two kingdoms in Scot- him. But. Sir, if God's wisdom be the
land: there is King James, the head only true wisdom, this will prove mere
of the commonwealth, and there is Christ and mad folly; His curse cannot but
Jesus, the King of the Church, whose light upon it; in seeking both ye shall
subject James the Sixth is, and of whose lose both; whereas in cleaving uprightly
kingdom he is not a king, nor a lord, nor to God, His true servants would be your
a head, but a member. Sir, those whom  sure friends, and He would compel the
Christ has called and commanded to rest counterfeitly and lyingly to give over
watch over his Church, have power and themselves and serve you."*
authority from Him to govern his spirit-     Melville's Dairy, pp. 245, 246.
14




106            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF S JOTLAND.             CHAP. IV.
The dignity and power of these high Assembly met at Edinburgh in October,
sentiments overbore the petulant anger and wrote circular letters to all the presof the king; his heart was awed, and byteries, pointing out the imminent danhis soul felt for a space the hallowed gers of the present crisis, and specifying
energy;f sacred truth. He uttered no the measures necessary to be taken, to
wrathful reply; he attempted not to dis- meet, and, if possible, to avert the peril.
pute the principles to which he had been Thuse remedial measures were, the apcompelled to listen; but declaring that pointment of a day of humiliation and
the popish lords had returned without prayer,-the renewal of the excommuni
his previous knowledge, he pledged his cation of the popish conspirators,-the
word that the proposals which they had summoning of a certain number of
made to the privy council should not be ministers from different parts of the kingreceived till they left the kingdom, and dom, to form, along with the presbytery
that even then he would show them no of Edinburgh, an extraordinary council
favour before they satisfied the Church. of the church, to receive information, deSo ended that remarkable interview be- liberate, and convoke, if necessary, a
tween the king and Melville, in which meeting of the General Assembly.
the latter gave free expression to the sen-  This energetic  procedure of the
timents and principles which the Church Church convinced the court that someof Scotland has always held as essential thing more than mere deceit would be
to the constitutional freedom and purity necessary for the subversion of religious
of the Christian Church.  That such and civil liberty. It was therefore deterpinciples would not find favour in the mined to make a direct assault upon the
eyes of an arbitrary monarch, was not privileges of the Church, hoping thereby
surprising; but that men who at least forcibly to subdue, since they could not
affect to be strenuous advocates of religious guilefully delude her.  This intention
and civil liberty, should reprehend them  came first to the knowledge of the comas lawless and rebellious, might well ex- missioners at an interview which they
cite feelings of indignant astonishment, had requested with the king, for the purwere it not for the painful truth, that men pose of endeavouring to remove the
of the world will not perceive and ac- jealousies which existed between them.
knowledge the inseparable connection be- On that occasion, the king told them
tween religious freedom and civil liberty, plainly, that there could be no agreement
the former as the sacred cause, the latter between him and them, " till the marches
as the effect. Religious freedom cannot of their jurisdiction were rid," and unlong exist without producing civil liber- less the following points were yielded to
ty; and civil liberty can neither come him:-That the preachers should not ininto being without religious liberty, nor troduce matters of state into their sersurvive it, even for a day.  The Church mons; that the General Assembly should
was then, and evermore must be, the not be convened without his authority
parent and the guardian of liberty, sa- and special command; that nothing done
cred and civil, and therefore doubly dear in it should be held valid until ratified
to every free-born  and  free-hearted by him in the same manner as acts of
Christian man.                       parliament; and that none of the church
The solemn pledge of the king was courts should take cognizance of any ofsoon found to be, as formerly, a frail secu- fence which was punishable by the crimrity. Steps for restoring the popish con- inal law of the land.  Some, even in
spirators were taken, of which public in- the present day, will think that the
timation sufficientlyintelligible was given, Church ought at once to have assented
by the invitation of the Countess of Hunt- to these conditions. But those who are
ly to the baptism of the Princess Eliza- adequately acquainted with the history
beth, and the appointment of Lady Living- of that period will be well aware, that to
ston, an adherent to the Romish Church, have done so, would have been putting
to have charge of the person of the royal it into the king's power to establish at
infant. These ominous proceedings were once a pure despotism; while those who
not unmarked by the nation's vigilant have studied the nature of ecclesiastical
guardians.  The commissioners of the jurisdiction, as contradistinguished from




A. D. 1596.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   107
that of civil courts, must also know, that were not peculiarly distinguished for
to have complied with the king's de- zeal in ordinary cases cast aside their
mands would have been yielding up the lethargy, and joined warmly in the devery essence of every thing which con- fence of the threatened right of the
stitutes a Church, and placing all mat- Church.  Spotswood himself was, or
ters of doctrine, government, and disci- seemed to be, peculiarly forward to depline, e,.tirely under his control. Such fend the men and the cause, whom he
an institution as that would have been was afterwards more than suspected of
might have been   termed the king's at that very time secretly betraying, and
Church, but could have been no longer whom he afterwards basely and falsely
the Church of Christ.                calumniated. Previous to giving in his
The slighest shadow of doubt respect- general declinature, Black was summoning the ultimate designs of the court, if ed before the council, super inquirendlis,
any had still remained, was soon removed about unspecified matters into which inby the information that David Black, quiry was to be made; and when he obminister of St. Andrews, had been sum I jected to this mode of procedure as inmoned to answer before the privy coun- quisitorial and illegal, he was then told
cil for certain expressions said to have that the accusation was restricted to matbeen used by him in his sermons. It ters complained of by the English amwas now evident that the entire over- bassador, as assailing the character of
throw of the liberties of the Church was Elizabeth. So trivial was the first forn
intended; and the commissioners resolv- of accusation, that even the king said he
ed to make a firm and united resistance "did not think much of the matter; only
to this premeditated attack. They wrote he should take some course for pacifying
to the presbyteries to warn them against the English ambassador; but take heed
any attempt to disunite them, directing that you do not decline the judicatory; for
their attention particularly to those sub- if you do, it will be worse than any
jects likely to be controverted, and to the thing that has fallen out."  The Engacts of privy council and parliament by lish ambassador was easily pacified; but
which the liberties of the Church had re- that did not serve the king's purpose;
ceived the sanction of the civil powers. and accordingly  a new  charge' was
To avoid, if possible, a direct collision, brought against him, ranging over the
they endeavoured to persuade the king alleged improper language of the three
to abandon the prosecution of Black; preceding years. In vain did Black probut finding all their efforts ineffectual, duce testimonials from the provost and the
and being well aware that if they did professors of St. Andrews; the council
not resist this attempt, it would speedily was determined to proceed. On the day
become a precedent for subjecting the fixed for hearing the cause, he was aswhole jurisdiction of the Church to the sisted by Pont and Bruce; but the
arbitrary will of the king, they came to council rejected the declinature, disrethe resolution of advising Black to de- garded  the  testimonials, found  the
dine the judgment of the privy council, charges against him proved, and senas incompetent to decide, in the first in- tenced him to be confined beyond the
stance, on the accusation brought against Tay, until his majesty resolved what
him. A declinature having been drawn farther punishment should be inflicted.
up to that effect, it was sent through the  This unjust and oppressive sentence
presbyteries, and in a very short time was not pronounced without a very
subscribed by upwards of three hundred solemn warning having been previously
ministers.                           given by the Church.  On the mornThere was now an open and avowed ing of Black's trial, the commissioners
contest between the civil and ecclesiasti- presented to the king and council an ad.
cal authorities; and not merely the peace dress, containing their deliberate sentiof the kingdom, but the interests of re- ments respecting the nature of the conligion for generations were involved in test in which they were engaged, and the
the issue. The Church displayed an momentous consequences which it inextraordinary degree of unanimity in volved.  A  portion of this document
this dangerous crisis' even those who must be given, for the vindication of the




108             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. IV.
Church of Scotland from the calumnies spiritual jurisdiction distinguished from
of her enemies, and for the exposition of the civil, yet the same is entertained and
the truly Christian and patriotic senti- blown up by the favourers of those that
ments by which the ministers were ani- are, and shall prove in the end, the
mated.                               greatest enemies that either your majesty
" We are compelled, for clearing of or the cause of God can have in this
our ministry from all suspicion of such country; thinking thereby to engender
unnatural affection and offices towards such a misliking betwixt your majesty
your majesty and the state of your and the ministry as shall by time take
majesty's country, to call that great Judge away all farther trust, and in end work
who searcheth the hearts, and shall give a division irreconcilable, wherethrough
recompence to every one conform to the your majesty might be brought to think
secret thought thereof, to be judge be- your greatest friends to be your enemies,
twixt us and the authors of all these ma- and your greatest enemies to be your
licious calumnies. Before His tribunal friends. There is no necessity at this
we protest, that we always bore, now  time, nor occasion offered on our part,
bear, and shall bear, God willing, to our to insist on the decision of intricate and
life's end, as loyal affection to your ma- unprofitable questions and processes; aljesty as any of your majesty's best sub- beit, by the subtle craft of adversaries of
jects within your majesty's realm, of your majesty's quietness, some absurd
whatsoever degree; and, according to and   almost  incredible  suppositions
our power and calling shall be, by the (which the Lord forbid should enter in
grace of God, as ready to procure and the part of Christians, let be in the
maintain your majesty's welfare, peace hearts of the Lord's messengers) be
and advancement, as any of the best af- drawn in and urged importunately at
fectioned whosoever.  We call your this time, as if the surety and privilege of
majesty's own heart to record, whether your majesty's crown and authority royal
you have not found it so in effect to your depended on the present decision thereof.
majesty's straits, and if your majesty be We must humbly beseech your majesty
not persuaded to find the like of us all, to remit the decision thereof to our lawif it shall fall out that your majesty have ful Assembly, that might determine thereoccasion in these difficulties to have the upon according to the Word of God.
trial of the affection of your subjects For, this we protest in the sight of God,
again.  Whatsoever we have uttered, according to the light that he hath given
either in our doctrine or in other actions us in his truth, that the special cause of
toward your majesty, it hath proceeded the blessing that remaineth and hath reof a zealous affection toward your majes- mained upon your majesty and your
ty's welfare, above all things next to the majesty's country, since your coronation,
honour of God, as we protest; choosing hath been, and is, the liberty which the
rather by the liberty of our admonitions Gospel hath had within your realm;
to hazard ourselves, than by our silence and if your majesty, under whatsoever
to suffer your majesty to draw on the colour, abridge the same directlyor indiguiltiness of any sin that might involve rectly, the wrath of the Lord shall be
your majesty in the wrath and judgment kindled against your majesty and the
of God. In respect whereof we most kingdom, which we, in the name of the
humbly beseech your majesty so to es- Lord Jesus, forewarn you of, that your
teem of us and our proceedings, as tend- majesty's and your council's blood lie not
ing always, in great sincerity of our upon us."*
hearts, to the establishing of religion, the  These solemn and evidently heartsurety of your majesty's estate and crown wrung remonstrances had no effect upon
(which we acknowledge to be insepar- James and his council: they were so inably joined therewith), and to the com- tent upon their great design of humbling
mon peace and welfare of the whole the Church, that the earnest pathos and
country. We persuade ourselves, that fervent piety of the ministers made no imhowsoever the first motion of this action pression upon their callous and haughty
might have proceeded upon a pu-pose of hearts. Still, with astonishing forbearyour majesty to have the limits of the         Calderwood, pp. 344,345.




A. D. 1596.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   109
ance and patience, the commissioners of and policy of the Kirk."  From this it
the Church continued to strive for peace, was perfectly evident that the entire overif it could be obtained without the aban- throw of the Presbyterian Church was
donment of sacred principles.  Again intended.
they sought an interview with his majes-  On the 17th of December, a rumour
ty, for the purpose of attempting an being spread that the Earl of Huntly had
agreement; but nothing would satisfy arrived in the capital, and been admitted
the king, except the complete submission to the presence of the king, the ministers
of Black to every point of his accusation. and the citizens became greatly alarmed;
The ministers answered with sad and which was increased by the fact, that
solemn earnestness, " that if the matter a charge had just been given to twentyconcerned only the life of Mr. Black, or four of the most zealous of the townsthat of a dozen others, they would have men to remove from  Edinburgh.  In
thought it of comparatively trifling im- this state of excitement an evil-disposed
portance; but as it was the liberty of the person (supposed to be an emissary of
Gospel, and the spiritual sovereignty of that courtier party called the Cubiculars)
the Lord Jesus, that was assailed, they gave an alarm that the Papists were comcould not submit, but must oppose all ing to massacre the Protestants. Absurd
such proceeding, to the extreme hazard as this outcry would have appeared in a
of their lives."  This declaration, uttered cooler moment, it was enough to raise a
by Bruce in his grave and serious man- temporary tumult, through the combined
ner, moved the heart of the king for a influence of fear and imagination.  No
moment, till he even shed tears; and injury, however, was done to any one,
that night he pondered anxiously and either in person or property; and by the
rested little, perceiving that his attempt exertions of the ministers and the magis
was likelyto be followed by consequences trates the tumult was speedily quieted
which he had not anticipated.*  But his This tumult, although utterly insignificourtly parasites soon regained their as- cant in itself, gave the king and the cour
cendency: the Lord President Seaton tiers the opportunity for which they had
persuaded him that he could not, without so long wished, of a colour to their own
loss of honour, abandon the prosecution; violent proceedings.  Next morning
his remorse passed away; and again he early the king quitted Holyrood-house
prosecuted his designs, with even in- and hastened to Linlithgow. Immedicreased asperity and violence.       ately upon his departure, a proclamation
The king, by a proclamation, ordered was issued, requiring all in public office
the commissioners of the Asssembly to to repair to him at Linlithgow, and comleave Edinburgh, declaring their powers manding all strangers instantly to leave
unwarranted and illegal; and an act of the capital. Fiercer proclamations imcouncil was passed, ordaining the minis- mediately followed.  The ministers of
ters, before receiving payment of their Edinburgh were ordered to enter into
stipends, to subscribe a bond, in which confinement in the castle; the magisthey promised to submit to the judgment trates were commanded to apprehend
of the king and the privy council as often them; and the tumult was declared to be
as they were accused of seditious or trea- " a cruel and barbarous attempt against
sonable doctrine; and commanding all his majesty's royal person, his nobility,
magistrates in burghs, and noblemen and and council, at the instigation of certain
gentlemen in country parishes, to inter- seditious ministers and barons;" and all
rupt and imprison any preachers whom  who had been accessory to it, or should
they should hear uttering such language assist them, were declared to be liable to
from pulpits. At the same time a circu- the penalties of treason. A short time
lar missive was prepared, for calling a afterwards the king entered Edinburgh
convention of Estates, and a General at the head of a hostile array, as if he had
Assembly, to be held at Edinburgh, on been taking possession of a captured
the 15th of the following February, to town, breathing forth denunciations of
take into consideration " the whole order vengeance, and threatening to raze the
city to the ground, and to erect a monuClderwood, p. 349; Liferof Bruce; Livingstone's ment where it stood, to perpetuate the
Mfemorable Charactersi p. 74.




110             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP I1.
memory of such an execrable treason! he had called, the Presbyteries, in case
The terrified citizens crouched before the he should not comply, were instructed in
storm of royal wrath, surrendered all the line of conduct which they should
their rights civil and sacred, subscribed pursue; and not a minister of any note
such a bond as the king pleased to im- could be prevailed upon to subscribe the
pose, and being sufficiently humbled and bond of submission framed and promulenslaved, were, by what Spotswood terms gated by the king.*
his majesty's unparalleled "'grace and  This prompt and energetic conduct
clemency," restored to favour.       convinced the king that sheer power
1597. During this royal and courtly would never enable him to triumph over
paroxysm  the ministers of Edinburgh men who could suffer and die, but not
were advised by their friends to with- violate their duty to God. But there was
draw from the capital; which they re- yet one resource; the General Assembly
luctantly did, after Bruce had written a might be vitiated by the introduction of
very able and eloquent apology for him- fase, ambitious, and unprincipled breself and his colleagues.  This apology thren, and thereby the Church made to
was copied by Spotswood himself, to aid fall by a suicidal blow.  Sir Patrick
in its dissemination, and in the copying Murray, one of the gentlemen of the bedhe contrived to " give it a sharper edge."* chamber, was sent to the northern parts
A letter written by the Edinburgh min- of the kingdom, to visit the presbyteries
isters to Lord Hamilton, requesting him  of Angus, and Aberdeenshire, and to into intercede with the king in behalf of duce the ministers of those remote disthe Church, was also falsified, as there is tricts to subscribe his majesty's bond, and
strong reason to believe, by the same to come to Perth to the ensuing Assemtreacherous hand, while Spotswood was bly. Partly by flatteries and misrepreall the time pretending the utmost zeal in. sentations, and partly by striving to raise
defending the liberties of the Church. a spirit of jealousy in the northern minisIt were well that every reader of Spots- ters against the ascendancy of their southwood were aware of the deceitful and country brethren, the royal emissary sped
perfidious part acted by that designing so well, that, when the Assembly met, it
and ambitious man, that they might know  was found that the royal assentators
how little trust is to be reposed in any of formed a majority.
his statements, and that writers on the  The first struggle was on the question,
prelatic side might, for very shame, cease whether this was a lawful Assembly 
to repeat his gross and malicious fabrica- and after a debate of three days, the
tions.                               affirmative was carried by a majority of
Affairs being in this condition,-the votes, some even of the south-country
ministers of Edinburgh in exile or con- ministers being corrupted by the royal
cealment, the citizens humbled and pros- intrigues, His majesty's questions were
trate, and a false imputation cast upon the next taken into consideration; and such
whole conduct of the Church,-the king answers were given to the leading propoproceeded to the execution of his long- sitions, which alone were laid before
cherished scheme. Fifty-five questions them, as enabled the king to introduce
respecting the government and discipline his measures in a more plausible manner
of the Church, drawn up by Secretary than formerly, with the seeming sanction
Lindsay, were published in the name of of the Church.t  Thus did the king sucthe king, and a convention of estates and ceed in partially accomplishing by strata meeting of the General Assembly were agem and " kingcraft" to use his own
called by royal authority, to meet at term, what force and persecution could
Perth in the end of February, to consider not effect.
these questions. But the spirit of the  The next meeting of the Assembly
Church was not yet broken.  Answers was held at Dundee, by the kings apto' his majesty's propositions were pre- pointment, in May; and notwithstanding
pared by the synods, of Lothian and Fife; all his majesty's artifice, and the aid of his
and while the king was requested to pro- northern battalions, it was with the utmost
rogue the extraordinary meeting which
C0~ alderwood, p. 369.  tMelville's Daof te  iry, p p. 256, 427.
~ Calderwood, p. 369.        t Booke of the Universall Kirk, pp. 443, 444.




A. D. 1598.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     Il1
difficulty that he was able to carry his king induced the parliament to grant;
measures. The Assembly of Perth was and it was declared that Prelacy was the
declared lawful, with an explanation; its third estate of the kingdom; that. such
acts were approved, but with certain qual- ministers as his majesty should please to
ifications; and the additional answers raise to the dignity of prelates should
now given to the king's questions were have full right to sit and vote in parliavery guardedly expressed. To advance ment; and that bishoprics, as they behis schemes with an Assembly so much came vacant, should be conferred on
on its guard, required all the peculiar none but such as were qualified and discunning of the crafty monarch; but craft posed to act as ministers or preachers.
was his element, and false pretences were This spiritual power to be exercised by
his weapons; and thus he prevailed over bishops in the goveinment of the Church,
men who were too honest themselves was left by parliament to be arranged by
thoroughly to understand his guile.  He his majesty and the General Assembly.
requested them to appoint a committee of Thus the introduction of episcopacy was
their number, with whom he might ad- attempted to be concealed under the previse on certain important affairs which text of giving to the Church a vote in
they could not at present find leisure the national councils, for the security of
to determine, such as the arrdngements her rights and the advancement of her
to be made respecting the ministers of welfare.
Edinburgh and St. Andrews, the plant-   It will be observed by the attentive and
ing of vacant churches in general, and intelligent reader, that even in this innothe providing of local and fixed stipends vation there was an intermixture of confor the ministers throughout the king- stitutional propriety. It was so contrived
dom.   To this the Assembly agreed, and that the proposal for representatives in
nominated fourteen ministers, to whom, parliament came first from the commisor any seven of them, they granted sioners of the Church; and when the
power to convene with his majesty, for parliament agreed to the request, its enthe above purposes, and to give him ad- actment provided only that all ministers
vice " in all affairs concerning the weal appointed to prelacies should have vote
of the Church, and entertainment of peace in parliament; that is, it restored the poand obedience to his majesty within his litical rank of prelates, but left to the
realm."*  This was indeed, as Calder- Church its own province untouched, to
wood says, "a wedge taken out of the restore or not the prelatic office. And
Church, to rend her with her own forces." had the Church not been so much corIt enabled the king to frame and mature rupted by the king, but refused to allow
his devices, and to introduce them into ministers to accept of prelacies. the act of
the Church through what might be parliament must have remained a dead
termed his ecclesiastical council.  By letter, and the scheme proved abortive.
their means also, he called before him  It may be added, that the king had a
presbyteries, reversed their decisions, and double object in view in the matter,restored one suspended minister to his both to obtain the means of silencing the
office,-a species of direct interference bold and free admonitions and censures
with ecclesiastical government to which of the Church, by subjecting the ecclesiat least one parallel might be pointed out, astical to the civil judicatories, and to acwith this important difference-thatwhat quire a body of creatures of his own
the king prevailed on his ecclesiastical within the parliament, by whose assiscouncil to do, a modern civil court has tance he might control all its proceeddone of itself.                       ings.  The measure in short, was a
Availing himself of the advantage he deadly blow aimed at the very heart of
had gained, James induced his ecclesias- liberty, civil and religious, as subsequent
tical council to present a petition to the events ere long very clearly proved.
parliament which met in December, re-   [1598.] Measures being thus far p.equesting that the Church might be repre- pared, the next step was to prevail upon
sented, and have a voice in the supreme the Church to accede to the arrangecouncil of the nation.  This petition the ment proposed by the act of parliament;
Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 461.  and for this purpose the commissioners,




1,2            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. IV.
who were wholly gained over by the that some of the best and wisest of the
king, wrote a circular letter to their ministry chosen by the General Assembrethren, putting the most plausible con- bly, should have a place in the privy
struction on the scheme, and in particular council and parliament, to sit in judgment
representing it asessentialto theprocuring on their own affairs, and not to stand, as
of legislative sanction to the " constant they had too long stood, at the door,
plat',"-the provision for a permanent like poor suppliants, disregarded and deministry and fixed local stipends.  This spised.*
letter gave rise to long and keen debates  The question was put in this form,in the several synods, particularly in that "Whether it was necessary and expediof Fife, where it was strongly opposed ent, for the welfare of the Church, that
by both the Melvilles, by the venerable the ministry, as the third estate of this
reforming patriarch Ferguson, and by realm, should, in the name of the Church,
Davidson, who, pointing out clearly that have a vote in parliament."  A warm
the proposed parliamentary voter was a and protracted debate ensued, all the best
bishop in disguise, exclaimed, " Busk, and ablest ministers rejecting earnestly
busk, busk him as bonnilie as ye can, that elevation to wealth, rank, and power,
and fetch him in as fairlie as ye will, we which weak, worldly-minded, and ambisee him weill eneuch; we see the horns tious men so greatly covet. It was at
of his mitre."*                      length carried in the affirmative, by the
A meeting of the General Assembly slender majority of ten, after all the artiwas convoked by the king, at Dundee, fices which the king had employed, and
in the Month of March 1598, expressly carried chiefly by the votes of the elders,
for the purpose of taking the late act of a number of whom, it was asserted, had
parliament into consideration. The most no commission.  A  protest was then
strenuous exertions were made by his given in by Davidson against the promajesty to get the Assembly packed and ceedings of this and the two foregoing
constructed according to his mind. The Assemblies, on the ground of their not
Aberdeenshire legion was again impor- being free, but overawed by the king,
tunately summoned to the scene; his and restricted in their due and wonted
own ecclesiastical council was thorough- privileges; to which protest upwards of
ly trained for its appointed task; every forty ministers adhered.  It was then
means had been used to bring, as elders agreed by the Assembly, that fifty-one
from the presbyteries, those noblemen ministers should be chosen to represent
and gentlemen who had already voted the Church, according to the ancient
for the measure in parliament; and even number of the bishops, abbots, and priors;
after the Assembly met, several days and that their election should belong
were spent, before entering into business partly to the king and partly to the
by his majesty, in holding private per- Church. But when resolutions respectsonal intercourse with the members, en- ing the manner of electing the parliadeavouring to corrupt, intimidate, or ca- mentary representatives, the duration of
jole them into compliance.  Not even their commission, their names and revethen did he venture to proceed with his nues, were proposed, many of the king's
pernicious scheme, till he had banished party began to waver, alarmed at the
Andrew Melville, not only from the As- consequences of their own act; and it
sembly, but even out of the town. The was deemed expedient to leave these matbusiness was then introduced by a speech ters for further consideration by the presfrom  his majesty himself; in which, byteries, synods, and the next Assembly,
after descanting complacently on the which was appointed to meet at Abergreat services he had rendered the deen in July 1599.
Church. and his anxiety still farther to  Numerous meetings and conferences
promote her welfare, which, he alledged, were held throughout the kingdom; and
could only be done by the proposed mea- the more that the measure was investigasure, he solemnly disclaimed any inten- ted, the less was it approved of by the
tion of bringing in popish or Anglican ministers. In a conference held at Falkbishops, averring that his sole object was, land, the whole measure met such a deMelville's Dairy, p. 289.             Calderwood, p. 418.




A. D. 1600.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   1 3
cided opposition, that the king thought living part of the community, against the
proper to prorogue the appointed meet- strictness and impartiality of Presbyteing of Assembly, and had recourse again rian discipline, and knowing the influto that private influence to which he ence which the temptations of wealth,
owed his previous success.           rank, and power must always exercise
[1599.] In November 1599, another upon the selfish minds of poor and amconference was held at Holyrood-house, bitious men, trusted that, by these concalled by the king, and attended by siderations,and by the personal exertions
ministers from all parts of the country. of the crafty monarch himself, the triThe whole subject was then fully dis- umph of their measure would be secured.
cussed, chiefly, it appears, for the purpose  Andrew Melville had been chosen by
of ascertaining the arguments likely to the presbytery of St. Andrews as one of
be used against the measure in the next their representatives, and went accordAssembly, that the court party might be ingly to Montrose; but the king, dreadprepared with their answers. The sub- ing his influence and his power of argustance of this remarkable conference is ment, strictly prohibited him from taking
given by James Melville in his Diary, his seat in the Assembly. He remained,
and will well repay a careful perusal, by nevertheless, in the town, and gave his
those who wish to ascertain the real sen- brethren the benefit of his advice, during
timents of the Church of Scotland at this the course of the proceedings.  After
memorable period of her history. The some preliminary business had been arconclusion of this conference was, that ranged, the Assembly proceeded to the
James, finding. the discussion going de- consideration of that which was the great
cidedly against him, broke it off in anger, object of its meeting,-the propriety of
threatening that he would leave the re- ministers voting in parliament.  The
fractory ministers to sink deeper and opponents of the measure brought fordeeper into poverty; and would, besides, ward a formidable train of arguments
of his own authority, put into the vacant against it, such as its supporters felt it
bishoprics persons who would accept of impossible to answer; who thereupon
them, and who would do their duty to had recourse to evasions, and deceptive
him and to his kingdom.*             endeavours to draw  their antagonists
[1600.] On the 28th day of March from their impregnable position.  The
1600, the General Assembly met at Mon- king, perceiving his party evidently
trose. The most intense interest was felt losing ground, and the whole scheme
by the whole kingdom in the meeting exposed to imminent peril, interposed his
and the proceedings of this Assembly; arbitrary authority, declaring that the
as it was manifest that upon its decision preceding Assembly had already deciwould depend the continuation or the ded the general question in the affirmaoverthrow of the Presbyterian form of tive, that its decision must be held final
church government in Scotland.  The on that point, and that they had only to
previous conferences had made both par- determine respecting minor arrangements.
ties aware of each other's arguments, and, This interference on the part of his main a great measure, of each other's jesty saved his measure from.defeat; for
strength; and each appears to have en- there is reason to think, that if the genetertained strong expectations of success. ral question had been then put to the
On the one hand, the staunch Presbyte- vote, the whole scheme would have been
rians, holding firm by the great princi- negatived. For, on the subordinate but
ples of the Reformation, by the acts of kindred question, whether the parliamenparliament formerly passed in their fa- tary voters should retain their place for
vour, and, above all, by the clear and life, or be annually elected, it was carplain language of Scripture, confided in ried, in spite of all the influence of the
the goodness of their cause, and trusted court, by a majority of three, in favour
in the support of their divine Head and of annual election. Yet James, in the
King. On the other, the court party, exercise of his favourite' king-craft;"
aware of the dislike entertained by the prevailed upon the clerk'to draw up the
sovereign, the nobility, and all the looser- minute stating that vote in such a man-' Melville's Dairy, pp. 296-308.  ner as essentially to change its meaning,
15




114             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IV.
and virtually to grant the very thing longed to other ministers, under the pain
which it was intended to reject; and in of deprivation: That in meetings ofpresthis vitiated form he contrived to procure bytery and other church courts he should
for it the sanction of the Assembly, to- behave himself in all things, and be subwards the close of its sittings, when its ject to censure, in the same manner as
vigilance was diminished.*            his brethren: That he should have no
To render the introduction of this right to sit in the General Assembly
measure somewhat less intolerable than without a commission from the presbyit would otherwise have been, the court tery: That, if deposed from the office of
party agreed to all the "caveats" or cau- the ministry, he should lose his vote in
tions which had been proposed in the parliament, and his benefice should beconference at Falkland, for protecting the come vacant: And that the very fact of
liberties of the Church, and guarding ambitiously soliciting the office should
against the introduction of Prelacy. The itself, on conviction, be a sufficient cause
voters were to have the name, not of of deposition and all its consequences.
bishops, but of commissioners of the It was ordained, that these " caveats"
Church, in parliament.  The General should be inserted, "as most necessary
Assembly, with the advice of synods and and substantial points," in the body of an
presbyteries, were to nominate six in act of parliament to be made for confirmeach province, of whom    his majesty ing the vote of the Church; and that
should choose one, as the ecclesiastical every commissioner should subscribe and
representative of that province.  The swear to observe them, when he was adcommissioner was to be allowed the rents mitted to that peculiar appointment.*
of the benefice to which he should be   It will be admitted that these regulapresented, after provision had been made tions were well adapted to render the
out of them for the churches, colleges, king's measures as harmless as possible,
and schools. And, that he might not if strictly observed. But, to use the words
abuse his power, it was provided,-That of Spotswood, "it was neither the king's
he should not propose any thing to par- intention, nor the minds of the wziser sort,
liament, convention, or council, in the to have these cautions stand in force;
name of the Church, without her express but, to have matters peaceably ended, and
warrant and direction, nor consent to the the reformation of the policy made withpassing of any act prejudicial to the out any noise, the king gave way to these
Church, under the penalty of deposition conceits." t  And yet these "conceits"
from his office: That at each General were publicly ratified by act of ParliaAssembly he should give an account of ment, and Spotswood himself, as well as
the manner in which he had discharged others of "the wiser sort," solemnly swore
his commission, and submit, without ap- to observe them. But to such an accompeal, to the censure of the Assembly, plished master of " king-craft" as James,
under the pain of infamy and excommu- and to such worldly-wise churchmen as
nication: That he should rest satisfied Spotswood and his coadjutors, the violawith the part of the benefice allotted to tion of national faith, and the direct perhim, without encroaching upon what jury of men styling themselves ministers
was assigned to other ministers within of the gospel, seemed but a slight sacrihis province: That he should not dilapi- fice to make for the introduction of their
date his benefice, nor dispose of any part beloved Prelacy into a church and a
of its rents, without the consent of the kingdom, both of which cordially abGeneral Assembly: That he should per- horred and dreaded its very name and
form all the duties of the pastoral office nature, as equally a corruption of the
within his own particular congregation, Christian ministry and an instrument of
subject to the censures of the presby- political despotism.
tery and synod to which he belonged:    The perfidious designs of the king and
That in all parts of ecclesiastical govern- the " wiser sort" were very soon disment and discipline, he should claim no played. A meeting of the commission
more power or jurisdiction than what be- ers of the General Assembly was called' Calderwood, pp. 438, 439; M'Crie's Life of Melville  * Booke of the Universall Kirk, pp. 482-487.
i. pp. 58-62.                                    t Spotswood, ). 435.




A. D. 1600.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   115
by the king in the month of October fol- ment to register and execute his conlowing, to have their advice respecting mands, and a people his passively-obedithe settlement of ministers in Edinburgh, ent and unresisting slaves. In the latter,
and to consult on other matters to be pro- the Basilicon Doron, the extent and naposed to parliament for the good of the ture of the king's hatred of the PresbyteChurch and kingdom.    Pursuing his rian Church was revealed, as may be
usual policy, the king got James Mel- seen from the propositions extracted from
ville and two other ministers appointed that treatise, and condemned by the syon a committee to transact some other nod of Fife. These propositions were
business; and during their absence, he, the following:-That the office of a king
with the consent of those present, sum- is of a mixed kind, partly civil and partly
marily nconinated David Lindsay, Peter ecclesiastical: That a principal part of
Blackburn, and George Gladstanes, to his function consistsin ruling the Church:
the vacant bishoprics of Ross, Aberdeen, That it belongs to him to judge when
and Caithness.  This transaction was preachers wander from their text; and
carefully concealed from the absent mem- that such as refuse to submit to his judgbers until the meeting was dissolved; ment in such cases ought to be capitally
and the bishops appointed in this clan- punished: That no ecclesiastical assemdestine manner sat and voted in the en- blies ought to be held without his consuing parliament, in direct violation of sent: That no man is more to be hated
the cautions to which they had so lately of a king than a proud puritan: That
given their consent. But these cautions, parity among ministers is irreconcilable
though thus early violated, and though with monarchy, inimical to order, and
their protective power was thus proved the mother of confusion: That puritans
to be ineffectual to prevent the lawless had been a pest to the commonwealth
deeds of a treacherous king and perfidi- and Church of Scotland, wished to enous churchmen, were not therefore of no gross the civil government as tribunes of
avail. Their enactment served to show  the people, sought the introduction of dethe mind and the principles of the purer mocracy into the State, and quarrelled
part of the Church of Scotland; and, re- with the king because he was:a king:
maining on the statute-book unrepealed, That the chief persons among them
like the clause of the convention of Leith should not be allowed to remain in the
subjecting bishops to the General Assem- land: And that parity in the Church
bly, they, together with that clause, be- should be banished, Episcopacy set up,
ing revived and called into operation in and all who preached against bishops
better times, gave to the Church of Scot- rigorously punished.*
Jand the means and the power of depo-  Surely no man of common intelligence
sing and excommunicating her perjured and candour will deny that the Church
betrayers.                           of Scotland had good reason to be jealous
If the Church of Scotland had been in of a monarch who could pen such gross
mny doubt respecting the arbitrary inten- slanders and outrageous opinions:; and
tions of the king, that doubt must have yet, at the very same time, the royal disbeen completely dispelled by two differ- sembler was publicly and loudly declarent works published by the royal author ing that nothing was farther from his
about this time. These were, his Free mind than the introduction of the prelatic
Law of Free Monarchies, and his Basil- system into Scotland!  But oaths and
icon Doron, or instructions of the king laws were in his view fetters of iron to
to his son, Prince Henry. In the former Presbyterian ministers and the commuof these productions his majesty expresses nity, and threads of gossamer to kings
with abundant clearness his notions of a and prelates. The policy of principle he
free monarchy, which according to him, knew not, because he was himself unis the government of " a free and abso- nrincipled; but the policy of falsehood,
lute monarch,"-a king free to do what cunning, and sycophancy, he well underhe pleases,-in short, a perfect despotism, stood and practised, and crowded its
in which the arbitrary will of the sove- whole essence into his favourite ecclesi
reign is above all law  with a parlia-          Melville's Diary, p. 295.




116             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP IV.
astico-political aphorism, " No bishop, no him, because it could neither be denied
king," which his own comment explains nor compensated; and for the other, beto mean, No bishop, no despot.       cause it is natural for malignant men to
An event occurred in the same year, hate those whom they injure.  To this
1600, the consequences of which proved may be added, that the king bore towards
exceedingly detrimental to the Church of Bruce that instinctive antipathy which
Scotland.  This was that mysterious men of little minds cherish against those
event known in history by the name of in the presence of whom their dwarfish
the Gowrie conspiracy, the true nature of intellect shrinks into its native insignifiwhich has never been fully unveiled. cance, rebuked and crouching.*
Leaving the discussion of such topics to  A considerable number of the ministhe civil historian, to whose province they ters throughout the country were brought
belong, we proceed to state the baneful into much trouble on account of their exconsequences to the Church arising out pressing sympathy with the ministers of
of this strange conspiracy. An order Edinburgh, and with Bruce in particuwas issued by the privy council, com- lar. And it deserves to be mentioned,
manding all ministers to give thanks for that the king availed himself of the conhis majesty's deliverance, according to a fusion and distress into which this affair
prescribed form; and for not using the had cast the Church, for completing his
very words of that form, the ministers of eversive schemes; for it was while James
Edinburgh were called before the coun- Melville and two of his like-minded
cil, and candidly acknowledged that they brethren were conversing with the perwere not thoroughly convinced of Gow- secuted ministers of Edinburgh, that
rie's treason, although they respected the James nominated three of his creatures
king's account of the matter, and were to the vacant bishoprics, as above related. 
willing to express thankfulness that he  [1601.] A  meeting of the General
had been delivered from danger, provided Assembly was held at Burntisland in
they were not at the same time obliged to May 1601, by the appointment of James,
express any opinion respecting its nature who called it two months earlier than had
and extent. Five of them were immedi- been previously arranged.  He was inately banished from the capital, and pro- duced, probably, to take this step, partly
hibited from preaching in Scotland. Of in consequence of the failure of an em
these, four soon submitted; but the re- bassy which he had sent to Rome to promaining one, Robert Bruce, not being pitiate the'papal influence, and partly
convinced, would not violate his con- because of the odium  which he had
science by saying what he did not be- incurred by the slaughter of the Earl of
lieve, and was banished from the king- Gowrie, the accusation of treason against
dom. He was afterwards allowed to re- whom the mass of the nation could not be
turn to his native country, but not to induced to believe. To this Assembly
Edinburgh; and his offence was never James Melville sent a letter, pointing out
forgiven,-an offence in which nearly all very faithfully the corruptions still rethe kingdom, and almost every historian; maining in the Church and nation, and
shared. After his return he was banished urging his brethren to fidelity in the disfor a time to Inverness; then allowed to charge of their public duty; but this
reside in his own house at Kinnaird, letter the king thought proper to suppress.
near Stirling; then removed to the vi- A letter to the same effect, but expressed
cinity of Glasgow, watched and perse- in stronger terms, written by the veneracuted by the bishops, and beloved and ble John Davidson, was read in the
revered by every good and pious man Assembly, contrary to his majesty's inclithroughout the kingdom, many of whom, nation. Davidson's letter was instrumenand among others the celebrated Alexan- tal in leading the Assembly back to the
der Henderson, owed their conversion to sacred ground so frequently occupied by
his instrumentality. But James could its predecessors.  They entered into a
never forgive him for two dire offences; serious deliberation on the " causes of the
he had rendered great services to his general defections from the purity, zeal,
country, and he had been injured by the and practice of the true religion in all
king; for the one the sovereign hated   Cailerwooad p. 444-446  t ibd., pp. 445,446.




A. D. 1602.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   117
estates of the country, and how the same upright man could never make, that he
may be most effectually remedied." The might have some pretext for continuing
king himself either yielded to, or for a to prosecute and oppress him. And when
short while participated in, the general the synod of Fife met, and proceeded,
feeling. He rose up and addressed the with accustomed sincerity and boldness,
Assembly with great appearance of sin- to express complaints and animadversions
cerity, tears moistening his eyes as he respecting public matters, the king enspoke. He confessed his offences and deavoured first to circumvent, and then to
mismanagement in the government of the intimidate James Melville, in neither of
kingdom; and lifting up his hand, he which attempts did he succeed.
vowed in the presence of God and of the  [1602.] The Assembly had been apAssembly, that he would, by the grace pointed to meet in July 1602, at St. Anof God, live and die in the religion pre- drews; but the king, on his own authorsently professed in the realm of Scotland, ity, postponed it till November, changing
defend it against all its adversaries, min- the place of meeting to the chapel at
iste; justice faithfully to his subjects, Holyrood-house.  This arbitrary mode
reform whatever was amiss in his person of dealing with the meetings of the
or family, and perform all the duties of a Assembly excited considerable apprehengood and a Christian king better than he sion, numbers of the most faithful minishad hitherto performed them. At the ters regarding it as, what in all probarequest of his majesty, the members of bility it was intended for,-a mode of
Assembly in a similar manner renewed familiarizing the minds of the ministers
their vows; and it was ordained that this generally with the idea that the meeting
nmutual vow should be intimated from the of the Assembly was wholly dependent
pulpits on the following Sabbath, to con- on the pleasure of his majesty, and might
vince the people of the good dispositions be postponed indefinitely, or altogether
of his majesty, and the cordiality subsist- disallowed, whenever he should think
ing between him and the Church.*     proper. A protestation against this arbiVarious other matters were transacted trary procedure was given in by James
in this Assembly, of little public impor- Melville. Yet wheh the Assembly fairly
tance, with one exception,-a proposal to entered upon its duties, it was soon appareview and improve the common transla- rent that a great number of the ministers
tion of the Bible, and the metrical version were still true Presbyterians. Several
of the Psalms. Into this proposal the important acts were passed concerning
king entered with great cordiality, availed the visitation, examination, and censure
himself of the opportunity of displaying of synods, presbyteries, pastors, and conhis acquaintance with the Scriptures, and gregations; and regulations were framed
his knowledge of their original lan- of a very searching nature, well calcuguages, and subsequently set himself to lated to test the conduct and character of
the task of attempting a new poetical ver- the Church, both office-bearers and ordision of the Psalms.                  narv members, and to prevent that laxity
Although the king had, in the Assem- of discipline and morals which the prebly held at Burntisland, made the most latic party were but too certain to introsolemn declaration of love to the Church duce, should their machinations be sucof Scotland, yet as soon as his fit of devo- cessful.
tion, and perhaps of remorse, wore off,  In this Assembly's records we find
he returned to his course, and continued mention of a case of some importance, as
to prosecute his measures for the subver- indicative of the views of the Church,
sion of that Church which he so often respecting the appointment of ministers
swore to maintain. Upon the represen- at that period.  The synod of Glasgow
tation of his parasite Gladstanes, he con- brought a complaint against Mr. George
fined Andrew Melville within the pre- Semple, who had been presented to the
cincts of the College of St. Andrews; parish of Killelane, and whom the synod
and he continued tc demand from Bruce had forbidden to intermeddle with the
concessions which he well knew that ministry in that parish, for various reasons, but especially on account of a great
47456; ooke of the Universall Kirk,  491-499. dislike which several of the parishioners




118            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IV.
entertained against him. The Assembly not recover the favour of their vain, weakinquired into the case, acquitted Mr. Sem- minded, and obstinate sovereign.
pie of the charges brought against his  The Presbyterian Church of Scotland
character in general; but, in re~pect of had little reason to expect that its governthe great dislike between him and the ment and discipline would obtain addiparishioners. " think it not good that he tional favour from a sovereign who had
be planted minister at the said kirk, and long plotted their overthrow, now that he
therefore ordained him to desist there- had obtained a vast accession of wealth
from, and demit the presentation made to and power, and was surrounded by the
him of the benefice thereof."*       dignitaries of the prelatic Church of EngThis Assembly was the last which land. Still, it was not from the English
was recognised by the Church of Scot- bishops, so much as from  their own
land as a free and lawful Assembly, from  treacherous countrymen, that the Scottish
that time till the year 1638. And indeed ministers were most apprehensive of daneven the Assembly of 1602 can scarcely ger; according to the well-known fact,
be called a free Assembly.  It was held that the renegade becomes the greatest
in the very precincts of the palace; some zealot. The Hampton Court conference
of the most influential men in the Church between the High Church party and the
were violently prevented from attending puritan Non-conformists, which  took
it; and on several occasions the king place soon after James's arrival in Lonand his minions interrupted the proceed- don, indicated with sufficient distinctness
ings when these began to take a course what might be expected; especially when
of which the despotic monarch and his his majesty, in his first speech in parliaflatterers did not approve; as, for instance, ment, expressed his tender indulgence of
when an accusation was brought against papal errors, and his utter detestation of
Spotswood, that he had been present at the puritans, with "their confused form
the superstitious and idolatrous popish of policy and parity," whom he termed
service of the mass, when he was recently " a sect insufferable in any well-governed
in France, the court party interfered, and commonwealth."  The proposal for a
contrived to prevent the process against union of the two kingdoms gave addihim from going forward.              tional alarm to the Church of Scotland,
[1603.] On the last day of March 1603, who saw in such a measure, especially
intelligence of the death of Queen Eliza- after the utterance of such sentiments, the
beth having reached Scotland, James was greatest danger to the Presbyterian estabproclained king of Scotland, England, lishment.
France, and Ireland: and in the High   In this dangerous juncture the synod
Church of Edinburgh on the following of Fife again put itself boldly in the front
Sabbath, he addressed the assembled peo- of the conflict. When the Scottish parple, and once more declared his approba- liament met to deliberate upon the propotion of the Church of Scotland, disclaim- sal for a union, the synod of Fife applied
ing all intention of making any farther for liberty to hold a General Assembly;
alteration in its government.  But even and when this was declined, the synod
in the moment of his exultation on ac- addressed the commissioners of the Ascount of his easy accession to such an sembly, reminded them of their duty and
increase of wealth and power, he relented their responsibility to the Church at all
not in his determination to perpetrate the times, and particularly in this hour of
punishments which he had inflicted on danger.  They adjured the commissionBruce and Davidson, unless they would ers to defend the government of the
confess themselves guilty of an offence in Church of Scotland, as not resting upon
a matter in which they saw nothing guilty conventional grounds, capable of being
or offensive. If they could have flattered changed or altered, but upon Divine au
and falsified, they might easily have re- thority, equally as the other articles of
gained his favour; that is, they might religion did; declaring that they would
have regained, by ceasing to deserve it; rather suffer death itself than see the
but because they could not be other than overthrow of the Presbyterian Church.
honest and conscientious men, they could This spirited remonstrance had a most
Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 529.  beneficial effect. The parliament passed




A. D. 1605.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   119
an act in conformity with its views, de- now be taken in defence of their reliclaring, that the commissioners for the gious liberties.  This synodical meeting,
union should have no power to treat of and an extraordinary one subsequently
any thing that concerned the religion and held at Perth, went as direct to the cause
ecclesiastical discipline  of Scotland.* of these evils as they constitutionally
This, it may be remarked, was of the could, charging not the king, but the
very same nature as the celebrated Act parliamentary bishops, with hindering
of Security, passed about a century after- the meeting of the Assembly, for the purwards, as the basis of the union then pose of prolonging their own powers,
really formed; and we shall have occa- and of evading the censures which their
sion to show how little such an act was conduct had deserved. It was resolved
able to accomplish directly the purpose that petitions should be sent from all the
for which it was intended, but yet, as in synods, requesting his majesty to allow
the other instances, of how much service the Assembly to meet for the transaction
it may finally be productive. A great of important business. The terror and
constitutional principle, law or declara- wrath of the parliamentary bishops and
tion, may remain for any indefinite length expectant commissioners were great;
of time not dead but dormant; and may and Gladstanes procured an order from
at length be aroused into potential activ- the king to throw the two Melvilles into
ity, so as to realize the full developement prison, in revenge for their activity,-an
of that precious germ which it so long order which the privy council did not
preserved.                           deem it expedient at the time to execute.
[t604.] Events very soon proved that  [1605.] But the king had resolved upon
the dangers dreaded by the Church were his course; and when the time for the
not imaginary. When the time ap- meeting of the General Assembly again
proached that the General Assembly drew near, it was again prorogued, notshould meet, which had been appointed withstanding the numerous petitions sent
to be on the last Tuesday of July 1604, to court, requesting its meeting to be alat Aberdeen, his majesty prorogued it till lowed. And, as if to remove all doubt
the conferences respecting the union respecting his design, his majesty, in proshould be over, and postponed its meeting roguing the Assembly, mentioned no
till the same month of the following time for its next meeting. This rendered
year. But the presbytery of St. Andrews it evident that nothing less than its entire
being resolved to exonerate themselves suppression was intended, and, by inevfrom the blame of allowing their sacred itable consequence, the overthrow of the
rights to be violated without remon- Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and the
strance, enjoined their representatives to erection of Prelacy. This was directly
keep the appointed meeting, notwith- contrary to the act of parliament 1592,
standing the royal prorogation, which in which it was expressly stipulated that
they accordingly did; and finding none the Assembly should: meet at least once
present to assist them in holding an As- every year; it was contrary even to the
sembly, they took a formal protest that acts of parliament and Assembly passed.
they had done their duty, and that the for the introducing of commissioners of
danger to the privileges and rights of the the church into parliament, who were
Church, arising from the cowardly neg- annually to render to the Assembly an
lect of others, should not be imputed to account of their conduct, subject to centhem.                                sure and deposition if they had acted imThis bold and faithful conduct acted properly. The suppression of the meetlike the kindling of a beacon in the time ing of Assembly was a virtual bestowal
of a threatened invasion. The next meet- of permanence in their function on these
kng of the Synod of Fife bore the aspect parliamentary bishops and commission-,f a General Assembly, so many dele- ers, and to that extent was directly evergates from all parts of the kingdom as- sive of the constitution and government
tembled, to consult what course should of the Presbyterian Church. It was
therefore imperatively necessary for the
Calderwood, pp. 479-482; M'rie's ife of Melvile, Church now to oppose these perfidious
rol. i. pp. 108, 109                Church now to oppose these perfidious




120             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               (CHAP. IV.
and arbitrary encroachments, and to de- person who had heard the proclamation
fend her sacred liberties, or to be for ever on that day.*
enslaved..Is there one man who understands the
When the Assembly was thus pro- principles and values the rights of relirogued, the time of its meeting was so gious and civil liberty, that will condemn
near- at hand that several presbyteries the proceedings of this much calumniahad already chosen their representatives, ted Assembly? The right of the minisThe interval was too short to admit of ters of the Church of Scotland to meet at
such deliberations and transmission of least once a-year in a General Assembly,
opinions as would  have enabled the had been always asserted, had been sewhole Church to act in a body, and ac- cured by acts of parliament, and had recording to one systematic plan; but nine ceived repeatedly the express sanction of
presbyteries resolved to send their repre- his majesty. And when these sacred
sentatives to Aberdeen, with instructions rights and legislative enactments were
to constitute the Assembly, and adjourn attempted to be destroyed by the arbitrary
it to a particular day, without proceeding will of the sovereign, on the bare auto transact any business. For it was still thority of a royal proclamatcn, the minhoped that his majesty might be pre- isters of the Church of Scotland would
vailed upon to alter his course; and the have been unworthy of the names they
Church was extremely reluctant to take bore, the station they occupied, and the
any exasperating steps, but merely to great cause in defence of which they
secure formally its sacred and statutory stood forth, had they acted in any other
rights.                               manner than they did,-had they not conOn the 2d of July 1605, nineteen min- fronted every danger, rather than submit
isters met, after sermon in the session- to measures which aimed at the estabhouse of Aberdeen; and the king's com- lishment of a perfect despotism. It does
missioner, Straiton of Lauriston, pre- not seem too much to say, that these high
sented to them a letter from the lords of the principled christian ministers were the
privy council, addressed "To the brethren chosen instruments, in the hand of the
of the ministry convened at their Assembly Divine Head and King of the Church,
in Aberdeen."  The very address of this for the preservation of that sacred prinletter not only authorized the Assembly, ciple,-the right of the office-bearers and
but rendered it necessary, that it should members of the Christian Church to
be formally constituted before the letter meet and deliberate respecting religious
could with propriety be read.  This was matters, and to exercise a spiritual jurisdone accordingly; and while they were diction therein, free from all civil control.
engaged in reading the letter, a messen- And though for a time the strong arm of
ger-at-arms entered, and, in the king's power might crush the devoted defenders
name, charged them to dismiss, on the of that sacred principle, the principle itpain of rebellion.  The Assembly de- self, when once fully made known and
daring their readiness to comply with resolutely asserted, was indestructible,
this order, requested the commissioner to because it was true, and because God was
name a day and place for their next its defender.
meeting; and upon his refusal, the mod-  The wrath of the king, when informed
erator appointed the Assembly to meet of the meeting of the Assembly at Aberagain in the same place on the last Tues- deen, knew  no bounds.  He instantly
day of September ensuing, and then dis- sent orders to Scotland to proceed with
solved the meeting with prayer. It was the utmost rigour against the ministers
afterwards pretended by the commis- who had presumed to contravene his
sioner, that he had prohibited the Assem- command.  Fourteen of the most emibly by open proclamation at the market- nent were sent to prison to wait their
cross of Aberdeen on the day before it trial, John Forbes, moderator of the late
met; but when Andrew Melville charged Assembly, and John Welsh, son-in-law
him, in presence of the king, with hav- of Knox, being confined in separate duning falsified the date, he had nothing to geons in the castle of Blackness. Acting
answer, and could not produce a single          Calderwood, pp. 492-494.




A. D. 1606.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    121
according to the principles of the Church tions they had sworn to observe, and also
of Scotland, they. declined the jurisdic- to admit the power which the king
tion of the privy council in a matter claimed over the meetings of the General
purely ecclesiastical; and this being, as Assembly. But although the synods were
formerly, regarded as an aggravation of cunningly summoned to meet on the
their offence, they were indicted to stand same day all over the kingdom, so that
trial for high treason before the Court of there could be no interchange of opinion
the Justiciary at Linlithgow.  The able among them, the result was, that only
defence of Forbes and Welsh, supported one synod, that of Angus, assented to the
by the legal reasonings of Thomas Hope, proposed articles.
and countenanced by Andrew Melville,    A  parliament was held at Perth in
could not avail to rescue the victims from  August the same year, for the purpose
the gripe of the tyrant. Every species of chiefly of proceeding with the restoration
corruption was employed by James's un- of Prelacy. In order to effect this, it was
worthy minions to secure a verdict against necessary to repeal the s.atute annexing
them, which was at length obtained by a the temporalities of bishoprics to the
majority of no more than three.*      crown, and to restore them to those who
Six eminently pious and able ministers should be nominated to the episcopal ofwere thus condemned and cast into prison, fice. This intention becoming known,
to wait his majesty's pleasure what sen- the ministers from. all quarters repaired
tence should be pronounced. Eight more to Perth, remonstrated against this deremained for trial; and the relentless des- sign, and finally gave in a protest to each
pot sent orders to proceed without delay of the three estates.  This protest was
to a repetition of the same perversion of signed by forty-two ministers, three of
law and justice. But the heart of Scot- whom not long afterwards accepted bishland began to swell with sympathy for oprics, to their perpetual disgrace.  The
the sufferers; and the privy council sent protest itself may be seen in Calderwood,
intimation to the king, that it would not and also in the introduction to Stevenson;
be safe to proceed with the trial in the and deserves an attentive perusal, as an
present temper and feeling of the nation. able embodiment of the opinions enterJames yielded to the remonstrance so far tained by the leading men in the Church
as to release the eight ministers from  at that period,-opinions which all ages
prison, but banished them to the remotest would do well to cherish. An arrangeparts of the kingdom.  The six who had ment was made between the nobility and
been convicted, after suffering fourteen the prelatic party to the following effect:
months' imprisonment in the Castle of That the wealth and lands formerly posBlackness, were banished into France.  sessed by abbots, priors, &c., in virtue of
Such were the first-fruits of the intro- which those persons had voted in parliaduction of Prelacy into Scotland,-the ment, and as representing which so many
violation of acts of parliament, the cor- commissioners of the Church had reruption of courts of justice, and the ban- cently been admitted to sit and vote,
ishment of ministers eminently distin- should be alienated from the Church, and
guished by personal piety, and by success erected into temporal lordships; and that,
in the discharge of their sacred duties; on the other hand, there should be sevenand so early was the foundation laid in teen prelacies erected, and the bishops
Scottish experience for what has become restored to all their ancient honours, diga national proverb,-" that prelatic Epis- nities, privileges, and prerogatives. In
copacy never appeared in Scotland but as the preamble to the strange and arbitrary
a persecutor."                        act by which this base arrangement was
[1.606.1 In the month of February ratified, and which was, for a considera1606, an evasive attempt was made by ble time kept as secret as possible, hismathe king, at the instigation of the bishops, jesty is recognized as " absolute prince,
to procure the consent of the synods to judge, and governor over all estates,
five articles, intended to secure the bish- persons, and causes, both spiritual and
ops and commissioners from the conse- temporal.*
quences of their violation of all the cau-  A short while previous to the meeting
" Calderwood, pp. 499-516.   * Act Parl. Scot. iv. pp. 281-283; Calderwood, p. 532.
16




122             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IV.
of parliament, letters were sent by the tedious imprisonment of four years, and
king to six of the most distinguished of at length allowed to go to Sedan, where
the ministers who had not been already he remained till his death. His nephew
seized on account of the Aberdeen As- was also prohibited from  returning to
sembly. These six were, Andrew and Scotland, and the remaining four from
James Melville, William Scott, John Car- returning to their parishes, although not
michael, William  Watson, James Bal- implicated in the offence charged against
four, Adam Colt, and Robert Wallace. him; but thus the crafty tyrant contrived
They were commanded to repair to Lon- to cut down the tallest.
don, that his majesty might treat with  The king and his bishops thinking
them concerning such things as would themselves now tolerably secure of carsettle the peace of the Church, and would rying their measures, hastened with
justify to the world the measures which keen speed to the work. Missives were
his majesty, after such extraordinary addressed by the king to the several prescondescension, might find it necessary to byteries, informing them that an Assemadopt for repressing the obstinate and bly was to be held at Linlithgow on the
turbulent. The ministers had little doubt 10th of December, and naming the perwhat would be the issue. The course of sons whom they were to send as reprethe king's conduct in times past pointed sentatives.  Thus even the choice of
out with sufficient plainness what was their own representatives was to be taken
his probable design. Like the tyrant of away before the king could expect to
antiquity, James knew that the safest threaten or cajole the Presbyterian minismethod of reducing a nation to slavery ters into the reception of his beloved Prewas to begin by cutting off its leading lacy. Some of the presbyteries refused
and free-spirited men. Bruce and Welsh to grant any commission to the king's
were already in exile; and if the Mel- nominees; and others strictly prohibited
villes could also be removed, he might them from taking part in the decision of
secure the comparatively easy accom- any ecclesiastical question. When this
plishment of his favourite scheme,-the packed Assembly met, a letter from his
overthrow of the Church of Scotland, majesty was read, recommending the
and the establishment of Prelacy.     appointment of constant moderators of
The heart sickens at the very recital presbyteries, and that the bishops should
of such a continued course of royal be the moderators of the presbyteries
knavery and prelatic treachery; and we within  whose bounds   they  resided.
feel compelled to trace with more rapid Even in this carefully-selected Assembly
and summary course the remaining it required all the art of the king's comstages of this disgraceful period of our missioner, and a repetition of the deceitnational history. When the six minis- ful protestations and cautions of the perters arrived at London, they were admit- jured prelates, to carry a measure so reted to an interview with the king, and pugnant to every Presbyterian principle.
questioned respecting their opinion of the It was carried, however; and when sent
Assembly which met at Aberdeen, not- to his majesty to be ratified, it returned
withstanding  the  royal prorogation. with an interpolation, appointing the
Every endeavour was used to draw them  bishops to be moderators of provincial
into the use of language which might synods, as well as of presbyteries  Lefurnish a plausible pretext for instituting gal charges were sent to all the synods
proceedings against them; and at length, and presbyteries to admit the constant
on the despicable charge against Andrew  moderators; and the synod of Angus
Melville, of having written an epigram  confirmed its bad pre-eminence by being
censuring pointedly the superstitious cere- the only one that did not refuse.* Fierce,
monies which he had been compelled to violent, and outrageous were the atwitness in the Chapel Royal, he was tempts made by the king's agents to force
brought to trial as guilty of a treasonable the bishops as constant moderators upon
act. Notwithstanding the singularly able the synods and presbyteries, and in aland eloquent defence of Melville, he was most  every  instance  unsuccessfully,
committed to the Tower, subjected to a          Calderwood, pp. 550-554.




A. D. 1610.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    123
though many ministers were thrown into of high Commission.  These courts, it
prison, and disgraceful tumults raised by may be mentioned here, were united in
the prelatic party.                   1615, when Spotswood was translated to
[1607.] The whole of the year 1607 St. Andrews, and thereby became poswas employed by the prelates and their sessed of what inpopish times had been
supporters in their endeavour to force the the primacy. Never was a more tyranconstant moderators upon synods and nical court instituted than that of High
presbyteries, by every method which Commission.     It was regulated by no
craft could devise or tyranny execute.  fixed laws or forms of justice, and was
[1608.] But the bishops perceiving armed with the united terrors of civil and
that these forcible measures were rous- ecclesiastical despotism.  It had the
ing the spirit of the country, had recourse power of receiving appeals from any ecto a stratagem which wrought more ef- clesiastical judicatory; of calling before
fectually.  A conference was held at it all persons accused of immorality,
Falkland, between the Prelatists and the heresy, sedition, or an imaginary offence;
faithful presbyterians, with the pretext of or finding them  guilty upon evidence
attempting to come to an amicable ar- which no court of justice would have susrangement, and put an end to the strifes  tained; and of inflicting any punishment
and divisions by which the country was either civil or ecclesiastical, or both,
distracted.  Following up this policy, an which it thought proper.  " As it exalted
Assembly was held at Linlithgow about the bishops far above any prelate that
the end of July, in which the Prelatists ever was in Scotland, so it put the king
repeated their wish for a peaceful and in possession of what he had long desired,
amicable discussion on the points in dis- namely, the royal prerogative and absopute, some of them pretending that they lute power to use the bodies and goods
began to be of opinion that Prelacy was of his subjects at his pleasure, without
more agreeable to Scripture than the form or process of law: so that our bishPresbyterian form of church government. ops were fit instruments of the overThis fallacious pretext produced the de- throw of the freedom and liberty both of
sired effect. It lulled many of the vigi- the Church and realm of Scotland."*
lant Presbyterians into security, or di-  An Assembly was held at Glasgow on
rected their attention to speculative dis- the 8th of June, the same year.  Precussions, while their wily antagonists vious to its meeting, the king, by the diwere pressing forward their machina- rection of the bishops, sent circular lettions practically.                    ters to the presbyteries, nominating as on
[1609.] A  parliament was held at a former occasion, their representatives;
Edinburgh in 1609, in which the bish- and the Earl of Dunbar was sent from
ops were present, but none of the minis- London as king's commissioner, well proters received intimation of its meeting, vided with golden persuasives to use in
that they might, as usual, present their lack of better arguments.  His majesty's
requests to the  national  legislature. dictatorial letter was read; threats and
Considerable progress was accordingly promises were plentifully  employed;
made by the prelates in the prosecution and at length the whole of the prelatic
of their measures. Spotswood, now arch- measures were carried, only five votes
bishop of Glasgow, was made a Lord of being given against them.  The AberSession; and the bishops were empower- deen Assembly of ] 605 was condemned;
ed to modify and fix the stipends of minis- the right of calling and dismissing Asters,-a power which they did not scruple semblies was declared to belong to the
to employ for the pupose of bribing ad- royal prerogative; the bishops were deherents, and  of starving  antagonists. c]ared moderators of diocesan synods,
Thus were the bishops restored by Par- and all presentations to benefices were
liament to the civil jurisdiction formerly appointed to be directed to them; and
held by the popish prelates.         the power of excommunicating and ab[1610.] On the 16th of February 1610 solving offenders, and of visiting the
a commission was given under the great churches within their respective dioceses,
seal of the two archbishops of St. An-  M
seal of the two archbishops of St. An-  Melville's Hist. of Decl. Age. pp. 270-276; Calder
drews and Glasgow, to hold two courts wood, pp. 616.619.




124             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IV
was conferred on them. Thus did this Faith, drawn up by the prelatic party,
packed, and intimidated, and bribed con- sufficiently orthodox in its doctrines, but
vention (often called the Angelical As- meagre and evasive in respect of church
sembly, in allusion to the' angels, a gold government and discipline, for a very
coin used in bribing the mercenary prela- evident reason.*  By this accommodatists), consent to the introduction of the ting Assembly the popish lords were recorrupt and orrrrupting prelatic system  ceived into favour, and subscribed the
of church government. Not more strong- new Confession.  The prelatic party had
ly contrasted are Prelacy and Presbytery indeed outgrown the patriarchs of the
in their forms and ceremonies, than in Reformation.
the methods by which they were estab-  [1617.] In 1617 the king paid a visit
lished in Scotland. The faithful preach- to his ancient kingdoms; expecting, proing of the gospel, open and manly ar- bably, to find matters more to his liking
gument, and the pure lives of its teachers, under the prelatic sway than formerly.
were the means employed by Presbytery He soon found, however, that the ancient
to fix itself in the heart of Scotland: ar- spirit was not wholly fled. A considerabitrary  power, dissimulation, perfidy, ble number of the ministers gave in a
treachery, corruption, and persecution, protestation against a proposal that the
were the methods by which Prelacy was king, with the advice of the prelates and
introduced, nourished, and confirmed. some of the ministry, should have power
Till these facts have perished from the to enact ecclesiastical laws; and when
records of history, little else will be re- David Calderwood was summoned bequired by any right-hearted and unpre- fore the Court of High Commission on
iudiced man, to enable him to answer the account of this protestation, he declined
question, Which of the two systems is of its jurisdiction. Some sharp altercation
human invention, and which of divine passed between him and the king, which
institution?                         Calderwood has himself recorded in a
The perfidious acts of the Glasgow  very graphic manner.t  The result was,
Assembly were kept for a time concealed that he was banished out of the kingdom,
till the prelates were ready to have them  and compelled to depart duiing the
enforced.  Yet great opposition was stormy winter weather, the king coarsely
made in many parts of the country, and saying, that should he be drowned it
the persecution of faithful ministers was would save him from a worse fate. A
resumed.    Spotswood,  Lambe, and sort of Assembly was held at St. Andrews
Hamilton, went to London to obtain con- in the end of October, for the purpose of
secration of their episcopal functions, and completing the prelatic innovations; but
that they might afterwards legitimately it proved rather premature, and that comconsecrate their prelatic brethren.  pletion was reserved for the following
[1612.1 Nearly two years elapsed be- year.
tween the Glasgow Assembly and the ra-  [1618.] On the 25th of August 1618,
tification of its acts by the parliament, in the General Assembly met at Perth, in
October 1612; but in the ratification the obedienceto the royal mandate.  During
acts were so far changed as to render the preceding summer months, every
them more according to the wish of the possible device which craft or despotism
prelates, especially of Spotswood, who could suggest, had been used to prepare
directly asserts that this act rescinded and such an Assembly as would be sufficiently
annulled that of 1592.*  By the influ- subservient; and when'the Assembly
ence of the same ambitious man, also, the met, nothing was left undone to ensure a
Courts of High Commission were subse- prelatic triumph. They met in what was
quently united in 1615, and he was called the Little Kirk, in which a long
placed at the head of this prelatic inquisi- table was placed in the centre, benches
tion.                                arranged on each side of it, and at the
[1616.] No Assembly was held till head a cross table, with chairs for his
August 1616, when it was summoned to majesty's commissioners and the moderameet at Aberdeen.  It is chiefly remark- tor.  The nobility, gentry, and prelates
ab le on aczount of a new Confession of placed themselves on the benches, leaving'Spotswood, p. 51.' Calderwood, pp. 666-673. f Calderwood, pp. 681-683,




A. D. 1621.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    125
the ministers to stand behind them, un- the idea that any ministers. would submit
accommodated with seats, as if indicating to be expelled from their parishes and
the subordinate part which they were to stipends rather than yield, and assuring
perform; and Spotswood took the mode- them that the people would not support
rator's chair, without being elected to them, or, if such a thing should happen,
that office.  When it was proposed that " wishing that the king would make him
the moderator should be elected accord- a captain, and never one of these braging to the usual order of procedure, Spots- gers would come to the field."  Others
wood would not permit it, on the ground of the prelates followed in a similar strain
that as the Assembly was held within the and spirit; and every attempt made by
bounds of his diocese, he was entitled to the faithful Presbyterians to reason and
preside. The ministers were then re- argue was overborne by the rude clamquired to give in their commissions; but ours and taunting jeers of the haughty
these commissions were not examined barons and more haughty prelates. A.
publicly, so that it could not be known protestation against such a course of prowhether they were all genuine or not, cedure was given in by some of the
till the conclusion of the proceedings, ministers; but after a few sentences had
when it was ascertained that many of been read it was cast aside and neglected.
them were not legal. The question was The vote was then loudly demanded by
asked by some of the ministers, whether the self-chosen moderator,'and the king's
all the noblemen, barons, and burgesses letter was again read, to overawe the
present were to vote, since many of them  opposing ministers. In putting the vote
had no commissions as elders. Spots- the question was often crouched in these
wood answered, that all who had come terms:-" Will you consent to these artiin compliance with his Majesty's missives cles, or disobey the king?" and Spotsshould vote, although this was directly wood even declared, that whosoever voted
contrary to the constitution of the Assem- against these articles, his name should be
bly. The dean of Winchester was then marked and transmitted to his majesty.
introduced, who read a long letter from  Thus surrounded by the half armed rethe king, strongly recommending the tainers of the nobility, and threatened
measures which he proposed, and warmly with the vengeance of the king, the
expostulating with the Church on account ministers were compelled to proceed to
of its reluctance to comply with his sug- the vote in the midst of confusion and
gestions.  The dean followed up this alarm. Even then many stood true and
letter with a speech, strenuously urging unshaken; but the Five Articles of
compliance with all the king's desires Perth, as they are usually called, were
and suggestions, in a strain of sycophan- carried by a majority,-one nobleman,
tic adulation.                       Lord Ochiltree, one doctor, and forty-five
The struggle immediately began be- ministers, voting in the negative.  These
tween the faithful ministers and the inno- Five Articles were, - kneeling at the
vating prelatic party. A  private con- communion,-the observance of holidays,
ference was held for the purpose of put- -episcopal confirmation,-private bapting the proposed articles into regular tisnm,-and the private dispensation of
form for the consideration of the Assem- the Lord's Supper.  Thus by a formidably. In the conference Spotswood en- ble combination of fraud and violence,
deavored to procure the sanction of these the king and his minions succeeded in
articles by a vote, which would have pre- perpetrating another glaring innovation
eluded the liberty of reasoning in the upon the government, discipline, and
Assembly, and in this he was partially ritual of the Presbyterian Church; yet
successful. When the articles were laid so narrowly, that if none had voted exbefore the Assembly on the 27th, a scene cept those who had commissions, the
of tyrannical violence ensued, such as has attempt would  have been  defeated.*
been seldom equalled.  Spotswood ad- These articles being thus forcibly carried
dressed the Assembly in the most haughty in the Assembly, the Court of High
and domineering style, urging submission Commission set about enforcing their
to his majesty's desires, commanding im- observanoe, by means of civil penalties;
plicit and immediate obedience, deriding        Calderwood, pp. 697-713.




126             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. 1V.
thus yielding another practical proof, that and continuous, as to imprison for an hour
civil and religious liberties perish or exist and a-half the parliament which had pertogether.                            petrated this act of treason against the
[1621.] Trusting that the spirit of the King of kings, by subjecting His Church
nation was now subdued, after three years to an earthly monarch.  This dark and
of High Commission tyranny, the parlia- disastrous day was long known in Scotment was summoned to meet in Edin- land by the designation of " BLACK SATburgh on the 25th of July 1621, chiefly URDAY,"- "black with man's guilt and
for the ratification of the Five Articles with the frowns of heaven."*
of Perth.  The faithful ministers who  We have now reached the close of
still survived to watch over the welfare another period of the Church of Scotof the Church, endeavoured to move the land's eventful history,-a period full of
parliament by earnest remonstrances, but instruction for the thoughtful Christian
in vain; the course was predetermined, reader. It is painful to peruse the records
and the result prepared. At length all of a crafty monarch's fraud and tyranny,
preliminary arrangements being com- -of aristocratic selfishness and avarice,
pleted, the parliament proceeded to vote -of the perjury and deceit of ambitious
for the ratification or rejection of the Five and sycophantic churchmen, longing
Articles, without deliberation, and as if for prelatic pre-eminence in wealth and
they had formed but one topic. Even power,-and of the sufferings to which
then the opposition was very strong. the true-hearted and noble-minded deFifteen lords and fifty-four commission- fenders of the Church of Scotland were
ers of shires and burghs voted, against exposed, as they strove faithfully, though
the measure, and it was carried by a ineffectually, to maintain her principles
small majority. On Saturday the 4th of and defend her rights. Yet it affords a
August 1621, this vote, subversive of the signal illustration of the great truth, that
Presbyterian Church of Scotland, was the Church of Christ and the world are
thus carried, chiefly by means of men each other's natural antagonists, and that
who had solemnly sworn to maintain the more closely a Church cleaves to its
what they had thus conspired to over- Divine Head and King, obeying His
throw. This day, sadly memorable in precepts and following His example, the
the annals of the Church of Scotland, more certain is it to incur the hostility of
was marked also by a singular coincident crafty, irreligious, and wordly-minded
event, recorded by the historians of that men of every rank and station. It shows
time. The morning had been lowering also, that the greatest danger a Church
and gloomy, and as the day advanced the has to encounter is that arising from
gloom waxed deeper and deeper, as the internal corruption. King James could
gathering clouds seemed to concentrate not overthrow the Church of Scotland
their huge voluminous masses around till he had gained over some of its minisover the city. At the very moment when ters, and thereby succeeded in corrupting
the Marquis of Hamilton and the Lord its courts, so as to obtain its own apparent
High Commissioner rose to give the for- sanction to his successive invasions of its
mal ratification to the acts, by touching rigfhts and privileges. And it deserves
them with the sceptre, a keen blue flash also to be remarked, that even when zealof forked lightning blazed through the ously working the ruin of the Church,
murky gloom, followed instantaneously there was in all the crafty despot's meaby another and another, so dazzingly sures a strange tacit recognition of one of
bright as to blind the startled and terri- the leading principles which he sought to
fled parliament, in the act of consumma- overthrow,-the independent right of the
ting its guilty deed. Three terrific peals Church to regulate its own procedure
of thunder followed in quick succession, on its own authority. Every one of the
appalling the trembling conclave, as if destructive acts by which Presbytery was
the thunder-voice of heaven were utter- overthrown and Prelacy introduced, was
ing denouncements of vengeance against so contrived as to have its origin in some
the insulters of the dread majesty on high. court or commission of the Church,Then descended hailstones of prodigious never first in a civil court; thereby pracmagnitude, and sheeted rains so heavy    * Calderwood, p. 783; Spotswood, p. 542.




A. D. 1621.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                            127
tically admitting, not only that the Church  ratification by the parliament of 1621,
courts were possessed of complete co-ordi- there had been a continual struggle benate jurisdiction, but even that they were tween the prelates and the Presbyterian
supreme in ecclesiastical matters. When   ministers; the former endeavouring to
the parliament even seemed to take the     enforce obedience to these articles by the
primary step, it was only in affairs mani- authority of the Court of High Commisfestly civil, such as the restoration of the sion; the latter protesting, refusing obecivil emoluments and civil jurisdiction to dience, and resisting, notwithstanding the
prelates; but the existence of the prelatic sufferings to which they were exposed.
function itself, and the elevation of minis- But still something was wanting to comters to the prelacy, were matters with     plete the power of the prelates, and to
which the parliament did not interfere, give a more legal aspect to their aggrestill the Church had been induced to pass sions; for the minds of men in general
the acts which were competent alone        revolted against the glaring tyranny of
to her jurisdiction.  The hatred shown    the High Commission,-a court dependby the king to declinatures of civil juris- ing solely upon the arbitrary will and
diction in matters ecclesiastical, may be command of the sovereign, but not recogregarded as a proof that he was aware     nised by constitutional law.  The act of
how   constitutionally  sound  and   reli- parliament ratifying the Five Articles of
giously just was the claim of the Presby- Perth supplied what had been wanting,
terian Church; and that he, as a tyrant, and gave a constitutional sanction to the
detested it the more, because of its consti- despotism and the treachery of these subtutional and sacred character.             versive measures.   It was not the intention of either the king or the prelates to
P~ —-- I allow this power to remain unemployed.
A short time after the passing of the act,
CHAPTER       V.               Spotswood, archbishop of St. Andrews,
received a letter from the king, not merely
FROM THE RATIFICATION OF THE FIVE ARTI- giving full warrant to proceed to extremCLES OF PERTH, IN THE YEAR 1621, TO THE ity in the enforcement of the Five ArtiNATIONAL COVENANT IN 1638.cles, but even urging forward men who
were already abundantly      disposed  to
Pespotic Letter from the King.-Conduct of his Ma- were  already abundantly  disposed  to
jesty and the Prelates.-John Welch.-Robert Bruce. tyrannize over and persecute their bre-Proceedings of the Court of High Commission     t The greatest matter," sair the
against the Ministers, Universities, Probationers,thren.  The greatest matter" said the
and People.-David Dickson.-Robert Boyd.-Rob. king, in this remarkable letter,  the purert Blair.-The People and Magistrates of Edinburgh.    o    t          the c
-Death of King James.-Charles I.-Despotic Tem- itans had to object against the church
per and proceedings of Charles.-Changes in the government was, that your proceedings
Courts of Sessiogn and Justiciary.-Commission of                 our 
Teinds.-Proposed Act of Revocation.-Intention to were warranted by no law, which now,
assimilate the Church of Scotland to that of Eng- by this last parliamentis cutted short so
land-Ambition and Rashness of the younger Pre-  ts last parlamen     tted hort
lates.-Revivals of Religion at Irvine, Stewton, and that hereafter that rebellious, disobedient,
Shotts.-Growth of Arminianism among the Pre- 
latic Party.-Visit of the King to Scotland.-" Act and seditious crew must either obey or
anent the Royal Prerogative and the Apparel of resist God, their natural king, and the
Churchmen.'"-Fraudulent manner in which it was
carried.-Edinburgh made a Bishopric.-Trial of law of the country.  It resteth therefore
Balmerino.-Diocesan Courts of High Commission
-Book of Canons.-Pride and Ambition of the Pre-to you to be encouraged and comforted
lates.-The Liturgy.-Riot in Edinburgh at its n- bythis happyoccasion and to lose nomore
troduction.-Arbitrary Conduct of the Prelates. —The Feelings of the Kingdom roused.-Alexander time to procure a settled obedience to God,
Henderson.-The Presbyterians crowd to Edinburgh. and to Us by the good endearours of
-The Privy Council.-Commotions.-Violent Pro-an   Us by the good endeavours of
clamations.-Increased Agitation.-The Presbyteri- our  ommissioner, and our other trueans accuse the Prelates of being the direct Cause of
all the National Troubles.-The Formation of the hearted  subjects  and  servants.  The
Four Tables.-Deceitful Proceedings of the Privy  sword is now put into your hands: go on
Council.-Evasive Proclamations.-Pernicious Advice given to the King by Spotswood and Laud.- therefore to use it, and let it rust no longer,
Conduct of the Earl of Traqulair.-Skilful Manage- till ye have perfected the service entrusted
ment of the Presbyterians.-Duplicity of the Privy ti ye have perfected the service entrusted
Council.-Injudicious Proclamation.-THE NATIONALto you."*  Such  ere the instructions of
COVENANT.
the infatuated king to his not less infatuDTlING the interval which elapsed be- ated prelatic minions, for the destruction
tween the passing of the Five Articles of of a Church which he had termed " the
Perth in the Assembly 1618, and their                  aCalderwood, p. 784.




128             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP IV
sincerest Church in the world," and had if in the act of receiving her husband's
repeatedly sworn to defend.  And the decolated and falling head, ",I would
enormity of these instructions is certainly rather kep [receive] his head there!"not diminished, if, as Calderwood sug- James would not even permit the dying
gests, and other authors more distinctly man to preach, till, hearing that he was
assert, this letter was actually a mere at the point of death, he in mockery sent
transcript of one sent to the king by permission then, when he believed it
Spotswood, to be copied and returned to could not be accepted. But Welch joyScotland, stamped with the royal author- fully hastened to embrace the opportunity
ity,-a procedure which it appears, was of once more proclaiming the glad tidoften adopted by the treacherous and ings of salvation; and" having preached
tyrannical Scottish prelates.*  A letter long and fervently, returned to his chamof a similar import was also sent to the ber, and within twohours rested from his
privy council, commanding all the offi- labours, and escaped from the cruel and
cers of state to conform, under pain of insulting tyranny of his oppressors.
dismission; and enjoining them to see   About the same time Robert Bruce,
that all persons filling any subordinate who had been residing for some years in
official station, members of the Courts of his own house at Kinnaird, having been
Session and Justiciary, advocates, sheriffs, permitted to return from Inverness, was
magistrates of burghs, and even clerks accused of seditious conduct, and of transand sheriff-officers, should render im- gressing the bounds of his confinement.
plicit obedience, or be declared incapable He was imprisoned for a time in the Casof holding office.                    tie of Edinburgh, and then sentence
The Court of High Commission was passed that he should again be sent to
not composed of men likely to let the Inverness, and restricted to that town and
sword of double despotism  which had four miles around it during the king's
been put into their hands rust for want of pleasure; this.sentence being accompabeing used.  Its freshly, whetted edge nied by the sneering expression,  We
was directed keenly against the faithful will have no more popish pilgrimages to
ministers, and against all who refused to Kinnaird,"-in allusion to the frequent
mould their faith according. to acts of par- intercourse between Bruce and the most
liament. And, as if for the very purpose pious people of the surrounding country,
of proving that the cruelty of the king who resorted to Kinnaird to enjoy the
and of the prelates was equally fierce and benefit of his instructive conversation.
implacable, its effects were exhibited al- The prelatic party exulted in the oppormost simultaneously by his majesty and tunity of inflicting their mean malicious
by them.:The celebrated John Welch, vengeance upon a man whom the king,
who had suffered a banishment of four- in an unwonted fit of truth and gratitude,
teen years duration on account of the part had pronounced worth the quarter of his
he took in the prorogued Assembly of kingdom. But what was meant as a
Aberdeen in 1605, had fallen into such a punishment to him, became a precious
state of ill health, that a return to his na- blessing to the people of Inverness and
tive country was recommended, as the its vicinity, who acquired then a relish
only means of saving his life. By great for the pure gospel, which there is reason
solicitations he obtained permission to to believe,has never since been lost.
return to London; but when his wife, a  [1622.]-Not contented with these sedaughter of John Knox, obtained an vere proceedings against the venerable
interview with the king, and requested fathers of the Church, the prelates directthat her dying husband might be allowed ed their attention to every minister of
to breathe once more his native air, his eminence throughout the kingdom, remajesty, with coarse oaths, refused, un- quiring from each submission to the Perth
less she would persuade her husband to Articles.  They had a twofold purpose
submit to the bishops. "Please your in demanding urgently the complianceof
majesty," replied the heroic matron, lift- such men: by far the majority of the
ing up her apron, and holding it forth as people regarded these articles with extreme dislike; and the prelates were well
Wodrow's Collection of Lives, particularly the             l    upon t
lives of Gladstanes and Spotswood.    aware, that if they could prevail upon the




A. D. 162"2.j   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     129
best ministers to subscribe, those ministers was banished to Turriff, in the synod of
would either bring with them the people Aberdeen, where, however, he continued
who were strongly attached to them, or to exercise his ministry, greatly to the adthey would lose that popular influence vantage of the inhabitants of that district,
which they possessed.  There was an- till he was afterwards permitted to return
other alternative which they seem not to to Irvine.  The other ministers, whose
have taken into their calculation; they names were mentioned above, were also
do not appear to have thought it probable subjected to similar penalties, some being
that those ministers would continue to re- banished to one part of the country, others
sist, braving the terrors of the Court of to another, and only one, so far as appears,
High Commission, and by their suffer- permitted to remain in his own parish,
ings increasing the popular detestation of but strictly prohibited from passing bethe prelatic system, much more than all yond its boundaries.*
their arguments could have done. They   The tyranny of the prelatic party fell
were aware that they would themselves not less heavily on the people than on the
have yielded to any measure, when, by ministers; for the people were every
so yielding, they would both escape per- where as much opposed to compliance
sonal suffering and obtain the prospect of with the Perth Articles as their pastors
personal wealth, rank and power; and could be, and in some places much more
they could not conceive nor credit the so; for in every parish where the minishigher principles of their antagonists. ter was prelatic the opposition was of
But it has often been the lot of cunning course made by the people alone.  In
men to overreach themselves; and such such instances the prelatic ministers strove
was the lot of the Scottish prelates. The to persuade, or to force, the people to comprelates held a Court of High Commis- ply with the Five Articles of Perth; and
sion early in January 1622, and com- as the article which commanded kneeling
menced their despotic course by sum- at the communion was that which was
moning before them  the Rev. Messrs. most exposed to public observation, it
Dickson of Irvine, Dunbar of Ayr, Row  gave rise to the greatest part of the conof Carnock, Murray of Dunfermline, and tentions by which the peace of the counJohnstone of. Ancrum.  All these were try was destroyed.  Many most disgracemen of great piety, much beloved by their ful scenes of strife and confusion took
people, and highly respected in the dis- place, even at the communion-table, in
tricts of the country where they respec- consequence of the prelatic party attempttively resided.  Their submission was ing forcibly to compel the people to subtherefore earnestly desired by the prelates; mit to what they justly regarded as an ator, at least, their forcible removal to dis- titude not warranted by Scripture, and
tant parts of the country, where, being bearing a close resemblance to the idolaunknowrn they would possess little influ- trous service of the Church of Rome.
ence, and their oppressors would the more Notwithstanding all their exertions, they
easily carry forward their pernicious de- could not prevail upon the people to comsigns.                                ply. A few, and those in general the
Of all these ministers, the case of Mr. least respectable in character, did gratify
David Dickson of Irvine seems to have the prelates by adopting their superstitious
excited the most attention.  This eminent ceremonies; but by far the greater numman was assailed by the prelates at one ber either ceased to communicate at all,
time in the language of entreaty, at an- or resorted to the churches of those minother in that of fierce vituperative threats, isters who continued to follow the simple
to induce him to submit.  His own con- and scriptural customs of their fathers.
gregation employed every eflbrt for his  The universities did not escape the
protection; and the earl of Eglinton per- vigilance of the prelates, who were aware
sonally entreated the prelates not to re- of the influence which the opinions of
move him from his charge.  But all en- eminent professors naturally  exercise
treaties were ineffectual; he had declined upon the minds of their students.  The
the jurisdiction of that despotic court, the celebrated Robert Boyd of Trochrigg was
High   Commission, and this was ah first obliged to leave Glasgow College,.
offence which could not be forgiven. He* Calderwood4 pp. 79,7942
17




130             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. V.
in consequence of the hostility of Arch- were opposed to all their proceedings,
bishop Law; and having been appointed the prelatic party were well aware; but
principal of Edinburgh College, the pre- considering themselves "lords over God's
latic party complained to the king, and heritage," they disregarded equally the
obtained from his majesty a positive corn- entreaties and the expressions of dissatismand to the magistrates to urge Mr. Boyd faction addressed to them by the poor
to conform to the Perth Articles, on pain suffering congregations of the oppressed
of being expelled from his office. He Presbyterian Church.   Spotswood and
accordingly removed, to the joy of the his coadjutors thought that these popular
prelatists, and to the great grief both of discontents would soon subside, when
the students and of the religious part of they had succeeded in removing from
the inhabitants. About the same time their parishes the most eminent of the
Mr. Robert Blair was deprived of his pro- ministers who refused to conform to the
fessorship in Glasgow, and obliged to re- Articles of Perth. And when they were
tire to Ireland, where he became minister not startled by sudden outbursts of popular
of Bangour, and was honoured in being indignation, they flattered themselves that
made the instrument of much spiritual the kingdom  was acquiescing in their
good in that country.  In addition to the measures, or at least passively submitting
removal of true Presbyterians from the to what could not any longer be successprofessorships, the prelatic party did all fully opposed. They might have heard,
in their power to corrupt the young as- from time to time, of private meetings for
pirants to the ministry; proceeding even prayer, among the more pious ministers
to the extent of exacting an oath from  and their adherents; but they seem in
these young students, before investing general to have despised those private
them with the office of preaching, that meetings, being themselves ignorant of
they would conform to the Perth Articles, the sacred might of prayer.  They do
and submit to the prelatic form of Church not seem to have marked the difference
government.   This ensnaring oath they between a ripple on the surface, and
rigidly enforced; and if any conscientious a deep, calm  under-current: the ripple
young man expressed unwillingness to dies away with the breeze that produced
bind himself by such an obligation, he it; but the under-current moves steadily
was at once rejected.  By this process it on, imperceptible to the eye, but irresistiwas hoped, that all the growth of the ble in its silent and viewless power.
Church would be directed into the prelatic  [1623.] The tyranny of the prelates
channel, so that within the course of an- continued throughout the year 1623, disother generation it would become univer- placing non-conforming ministers, insultsal, and Episcopacy would be as firmly ing congregations, enforcing the oppressettled in Scotland as in England.    sive enactments of previous years, and reThe prelates do not seem to have been laxing those only which had been made
aware of some symptoms which even against papists.    The intercourse at that
then were beginning to appear, and time existing between his majesty and the
speedily assumed a formidable aspect. court of Spain, during the negotiations
Of these, the two most important were, for the marriage of the prince to the Spanthe alienation of the nobility, and the in- ish infanta, may have been the cause of
creasing direct hostility of the people. this toleration to the adherents of the PaEven so early as the Perth Assembly of pal Church; but certainly it had no ten1618, the prelates had given offence to dency to gratify the people of Scotland,
the nobility by their haughty and over- who saw more favour shown to the corbearing manners; and as prosperity did rupt Church of Rome than to their own,
not tend to abate their insolence, it soon although the one was prohibited, and thc
became intolerable to the proud Scottish other established, by the most solemn na
barons. An ill-suppressed jealousy from  tional enactments.
that time prevailed, which waited but an  [1624.] A contest arose in Edinburgh
opportunity to rise into open strife,-so in 1624, which excited considerable at
soon, at least, as the selfish interests of tention, and had no slight effect in deep
the rival parties should manifestly bear ening and confirming the popular feeling
in opposite directions. That the people against the prelatic party.  It had been




A. D. 1625]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    131
customary for many years, that, previous been deprived of their parishes, were in
to the communion Sabbath, a day was ap- the habit of resorting to Edinburgh, and
pointed on which all who were at enmity holding "private conventicles," whereby
with each other were summoned to ap- the people were stirred up, and the public
pear before the kirk-session, that they peace disturbed.  In answer to this cornmight be exhorted to lay aside their plaint, the king sent a proclamation, prestrife, give and accept forgiveness, and pared, says Calderwood, as was constantthereby prepare to make the communion ly reported, by the archbishop of St. Anindeed a feast of mutual love.  It was drews; in which, after reprehending, in
usual at the same time to institute some very severe terms, the conduct of the citigeneral inquiries into the conduct of the zens in listening to the "turbulent persuamembers of the session, both minister and sions of restless ministers, either deprived
elders, with regard to the manner in from their functions, or confined for just
which they had discharged their duties, causes," he strictly prohibited all such
each member withdrawing during the in- privats conventicles. A short while afquiry into his course of life and behaviour. terwards his majesty sent a letter of cenWhile engaged in the discharge of this sure to the magistrates of Edinburgh,
customary investigation, one of the citi- reprehending them severely for not givzens complained that Mr. William Forbes,ing obedience to the Perth Articles, and
recently appointed minister of one of the for remissness in the enforcement of these
city churches, had taught that there articles upon others; threatening to remight easily be a reconciliation effected move from the town the Courts of Session
between the Church of Rome and the and Justiciary, if these orders were not
Protestant Churches.  This complaint more punctually obeyed.
was repeated by other respectable citizens,  Every attentive reader of history must
who requested that Mr. Forbes might be often be struck with the close similarity
questioned by the presbytery, whether he in language and sentiment of men who
really meant to teach doctrines subversive lived in periods very remote from each
of the Reformation.                  other. It seems that oppressors are alForbes, who had been brought from  ways the men who most loudly complain
Aberdeen to Edinburgh expressly on ac- of resistance: the despot most vehemently
count of his high prelatic opinions, was exclaims against rebellion; and the subexcessively indignant that the people verters of pure religion cry out against
should presume to express disapprobation the turbulence of restless ministers.  But
of his doctrine.  And his brethren mak- it appears to be very natural, and certaining it a common cause, applied to Spots- ly it is very easy, for men to disguise a
wook and through him obtained from the bad cause under a good name, and to try
king an order empowering a select num- to blacken a good cause by fixing upon it
ber of the privy council to try those citi- an offensive designation.
zens for their conduct in expressing dis-  [1625.] King James had determined to
approbation of the doctrine of the minis- have Christmas celebrated with extreme
ters; and, in particular, for having re- pomp and ceremony, as a public triumph;
quested that the communion might be ob' and had given orders to that effect; but
served in the former manner, and not ac- the plague breaking out in Edinburgh,
cording to the Articles of Perth.  The suspended his scheme. As Easter apresult was, that William Rigg, one of proached he renewed his commands, to
the magistrates of Edinburgh, was depriv- prepare for celebrating the communion
ed of his office, and imprisoned in the on that day, in conformity with the ArtiCastle of Blackness till he should pay a cles of Perth, threatening very severe
ruinous fine; and five other highly res- punishment to all who should refuse impectable citizens were punished, some by plicit obedience. But the close of his
imprisonment, others by banishment to despotic career was at hand.  On the
remote parts of the country.         27th of March 1625, he departed this life,
The prelatic party being somewhat leaving behind him a kingdom sunk from
alarmed by the spirit manifested in this glory to disgrace through his mean mistrial, complained to the king that several government; filled with the elements of
of the non-conforming ministers who had private strife and social discord, ferment



132             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. V.
ing and heaving onward to a revolution; ing doubt respecting his intentions, the
-a son, the inheritor of his despotic prin- king issued a proclamation on the 1st of
ciples, and of all the evils which they August, commanding conformity to the
had engendered;-and a name, lauded Perth Articles, and ordering severe and
by a few prelatic flatterers, who could rigorous punishment to be inflicted on all
term their " earthly creator" the " Solo- who dared to disobey. Next month, Sepmon of the age," but scorned by the tember, a royal letter was sent to the
haughty, mocked by the witty, despised town-council of Edinburgh, commanding
by men of learning and genius, and not them to choose for magistrates those only
hated, only because pitied and deplored, who observed the Articles of Perth. By
by the persecuted yet loyal and forgiving this arbitrary command a sufficiently plain
Church of Scotland.                   indication was given of the principles
The death of King James paralyzed held by the young king, and a proof that
the power of the prelatic party for a time, he meant to carry into effect that despoand allowed many of the persecuted tism which his father held in theory, but
Presbyterians to escape from actual, and wanted firmness and tenacity of purpose
also from  threatened sufferings.  The to enforce.
proceedings against the Edinburgh citi-  The greater firmness of purpose by
zens were suspended, Robert Bruce re- which Charles was characterized imturned from Inverness, David Dickson pelled him to the adoption of more deciwas allowed to resume without interrup- sive, but also more dangerous measures,
tion the discharge of his ministry at than those which his father had emIrvine, and many other sufferers for the ployed.  One of these, essential to his
sake of truth and conscience obtained a future schemes, was at the same time both
temporary respite. The direct reason of ungracious in itself, and calculated to exthis cessation of the prelates from their cite the jealousy of the nobles with regard
tyrannical procedure was, that the Court to a matter in which they felt peculiarly
of High Commission expired with the sensitive. Charles was well aware, that
monarch, from whose arbitrary will it de- if he expected Prelacy to take ere long
rived its existence.  The people of Scot- the same high ground in Scotland which
land could not fail to perceive, that the it occupied in England, he must not
prelates were the instigators, and even merely secure to the prelates their titles,
the perpetrators, of all the judicial despo- but also reinstate them in the possession
tism  under which they had so long of their wealth and power.     The first
groaned; so that this very cessation of step towards the execution of that design
their sufferings would increase their de- was taken' in November 1625, when by
testation of the system under which they proclamation his majesty revoked all the
had suffered, and of the men by whom  deeds of his father in prejudice of the
these sufferings had been inflicted.  Crown.   This, it was tolerably evident,
Although the death of one sovereign was preparatory to a resumption of those
and the accession of another caused a crown lands, many of them  previously
suspension of the active progress of pre- church  lands, which his father had
latic domination, till the intentions of the erected into temporal lordships, and benew  monarch should be known, and stowed upon his unworthy favourites,
allowed a brief breathing time to the and upon others whose support he wished
ministers and people, yet the relief was to secure. But as no direct consequences
but slight, and the favourable hopes enter- immediately followed the proclamation,
tained by the Presbyterians were soon the jealousy of the nobles partially subclouded with doubts. Soon after his ac- sided, though it did not entirely pass
cession to the throne, Charles I. wrote to away.
Archbishop Spotswood, directing him to  [1626.] Although the king's attention
proceed with the affairs of the Church as was very much occupied with the Spanish
formerly, and assuring him that it was war in which he was engaged with little
his majesty's special will to have all the success, and also with those beginnings
laws enforced which had been enacted in of resistance to his arbitrary conduct in
the former reign concerning ecclesiastical England which ought to have warned
affairs; and, as if to remove all remain- him to desist from his dangerous course,




A. D. 1628.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    133
he nevertheless found leisure to interfere try. This measure was one of deep and
in Scottish affairs enough to increase the dangerous policy; and its steady operadissatisfaction already prevalent.  The tion would have been far more deadly to
Scottish nobles were not sufficiently ser- the Presbyterian Church than the most
vile for a monach so arbitrary. He re- direct and fierce persecution. But the
solved, therefore, to  make extensive intolerant zeal of the prelates could not
changes throughout the whole public endure this wary policy, even on account
administration of the kingdom, removing of what made it dangerous,-its lenient
men of independent mind, and introduc- aspect. It is probable that this scheme
ing those who would be subservient to was devised by Spotswood; but the
his will. He remodelled the Courts of younger prelates, and those who expected
Session and the Justiciary, the privy to reach the prelacy, were beginning to
council, and the Lords of the Exchequer, obtain a greater influence with the king
placing several of the prelates in the two than his more aged and sagacious counlatter departments; and he erected a sellors.
Commission of Grievances, which occu-  [1627.] Early in the year 1627, compied the position of the Star Chamber in missioners from the Church were sent to
England, reviving also the Court of High the king, to supplicate his majesty for
Commission, created in the former reign. certain important alterations and improveBy these changes the king hoped to cut ments in ecclesiastical matters. An atoff all opposition, and to obtain the means tempt was made to give to this deputation
of carrying all his measures into execu- the aspect of being a full representation
tion.                                of the whole Church, both the Prelatic
These alterations having been made, and the Presbyterian parties; but the
and a little time allowed for the new overbearing conduct of. the prelatists
officials to become acquainted with their caused the Presbyterian commissioner to
duties, a convention of estates was held in withdraw, so that the purpose remained
July the same year, for the purpose of unaccomplished.
proceeding with the recovery of the tithes  The commissioners for the teinds also
and the church lands. But the opposi- prosecuted their labours, but with little
tion of the nobility was still too strong; success. Yet a tolerably complete return
and all that the convention did was of the state of teinds throughout the
naming four of each estate as a commis- country having been obtained, it was resion, to examine the state of the teinds, to solved that every man should have liberty
ascertain who were the proprietors, and to purchase back his own teind at a reaby what tenure they were held. The sonable price, and all were required to
titulars and possessors of teinds not relish- come to the commissioners for that puring this intended inquiry, sent the Earls pose. Although this measure was introof Rothes, Linlithgow, and Loudon, as a duced at first with a view to prepare for
deputation to endeavour to prevail upon the the restoration of Prelacy to all its golden
king to abandon that measure; but their honours, it has proved, on the whole,
efforts proved ineffectual.          very beneficial to the Church and the
About the same time Charles did one people of Scotland, by being instrumental
of the few even seemingly prudent acts in removing the obstacles which the meof his strangely imprudent life.  He or- thod of levying tithes in kind opposes to
dained that such of the ministers as had national prosperity and peace.
been admitted before the Assembly of   [1628.] In tle spring of 1628, a meet1618, should not be compelled to conform ing of synod was held in Edinburgh, in
to the Perth Articles, provided they did which, after long and earnest reasoning,
not publicly assail the king's authority it was resolved to send a deputation to his
and the form of church government; majesty, toentreat release from the comand that all who had been banished, con- pulsive obligation to comply with the
fined, or suspended, should be restored to Perth Articles, especially that of kneeling
their charges on the same condition; but at the communion, to which the people
that conformity should be strictly enforced could not be brought to submit. But the
on all who had been admitted since 1618, king expressed himself highly displeased
and on every new entrant into the minia that the people durst presume to petition




134             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. V,
against a measure which had his appro-  [1629.] Nothing of peculiar public imbation; and commanded that condign portance occurred during the year 1629,
punishment should be inflicted on the -nothing, indeed, except the continuapetitioners, to deter others from the like tion of the insolence displayed and the
presumption. The result was, there was persecutions inflicted on the Presbyterian
no communion at Edinburgh that year.  ministers and people by the prelates.
The king seems to have thought that Some attempts were made to induce the
the public mind was now sufficiently pre- king himself to interpose in behalf of his
pared for the act of revocation which he suffering people; but he paid no attenmeditated. In order, however, to intro- tion to the statement of grievances which
duce it as plausibly as might be, he pri- they laid before him. Previous to this
vately purchased the abbey of Arbroath time there had been some symptoms of
from the Marquis of Hamilton, and the division in the prelatic party, although
lordship of Glasgow from the Duke of Spotswood continued to be regarded as its
Lennox, and gave them to the two arch- head; but now the younger prelates bebishops of St. Andrews and Glasgow, gan to undermine his influence with the
giving to the transaction such an aspect king. The most active of these intriguers
as if these two noblemen had voluntarily was John Maxwell, at that time one
surrendered that property. By this and of the ministers of Edinburgh, and soon
several similar private purchases of es- afterwards bishop of Ross.  This able
tates, Charles hoped to induce the nobility and unscrupulous man contrived to work
and gentry to comply with the act of re- himself into the confidence of the notorivocation. But when he sent the Earl of ous Laud, by whose pernicious counsels
Nithsdale to propose the measure to a the king was almost entirely guided. In
convention of estates, with this induce- this manner there arose a decided and
ment, that those who would willingly sub- growing dissention among the prelates;
mit should experience   his majesty's and the violence of.the younger'and more
favour, while the most rigorous proceed- impetuous party had the effect of stimuings should be instituted against those lating the rash despotism of the king, and
who refused, the nobility instantly de- increasing the hostility of the nobles, who
termined to resist, and to employ force if could not brook the insolence and pride
arguments should not prevail. It was of these haughty churchmen.
resolved at a private meeting of the irri-  [1630.] In the year 1630, Maxwell,
tated barons, that if Nithsdale should con- who had been at London on some private
tinue to press the measure, he and his commission, brought down from the king
adherents should be assailed and put to a letter to Spotswood, directing him to
death in the open court. So determinedly convene the other prelates, and the most
was this purpose entertained, that Lord prelatic of the ministers, and to inform
Belhaven, a man blind by very age, re- them, that it was his majesty's pleasure
quested to be placed beside one of Niths- that the whole ord'er of the Church of
dale's party, and he would make sure of England should be received in Scotland.
that one. Being set beside the Earl of " This," Wodrow says in his life of SpotsDumfries, and holding him fast with one wood, "was the first motion for the Enghand, apologizing for doing so, as neces- lish liturgy in Scotland, in King Charles's
sary for support in his blindness, he reign."  The most prudent of the preclutched fast with the other the hilt of a lates, apprehensive of the consequences,
dagger, which he kept concealed in his opposed this measure as too dangerous,
bosom, ready to plunge it into the heart considering the already excited state of
of his victim, should the signal for vio- the country, and it was postponed. In
lence be given. But the Earl of Niths- July the same year, at a convention of
dale read enough in the stern and frown- estates, the non-conforming  ministers
ing looks of the Scottish barons around gave in a paper of grievances, of which
him, to induce him to suppress the main they craved redress; but though it was
part of his instructions, and to give up the supported by several of the nobility, it
attempt as hopeless."                was not permitted to be read.
[1631.] The year 1631 is chiefly re2 - urnet's H-istory of his own Times, folio edition of  ma[ e fr the year 16 s made by the
X24, pp. 20, 21.                     markable for the progress made by the




A. D. 1632.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    135
commissioners of teinds, in the discharge potism of kings, the plots of courtiers,
of their duty.  The landed proprietors and the perfidious ambition of prelates.
began to perceive the advantage of ob-  Reference has already been made to
taining possession of their own teinds at the remarkable effects which frequently
a moderate price, and many accordingly attended the preaching of Robert Bruce,
applied to the commissioners, and made both before he was banished from Edinthe purchase.  Some attempts were made burgh, and in his various places of conthis year by the prelatic party to intro- finement. Had the prelates understood
duce organs, choristers, surplices, and the the influence of a man thus highly
other mummeries of the cathedral service, honoured by success in his divine Master's
with little success.                  work, they would have either left him un[1632.] Some changes took    place touched, or put him   to utter silence.
among the prelates this year, by which, But while they sent him, in the wantoninstead of being strengthened, they were ness of their malicious power, from dishurried forward to their suicidal doom. trict to district of the kingdom, they even
Law, archbishop of Glasgow, died, and compelled him to kindle in many quarLindsay, bishop of Ross, was appointed ters that sacred fire by which they were
to succeed him, and Maxwell was raised destined to be consumed.  Many able
to the bishopric of Ross. But this pro- and fervent young ministers were deeply
motion only opened the way to others, to impressed by what they heard uttered by
which his elevation to the prelacy ren- the venerable man; and thus his princidered him eligible; and in a short time ples were infused into the minds of men
Maxwell became a lord of session, a lord in the rising prime of life, able and wilof exchequer, and a member of the privy ling to expend their unbroken energies
council; by which accumulation of of- in the sacred cause.  There were few of
fices, belike, he thought that he was most the eminent men of that day who did not
convincingly proving the scriptural char- cheerfully acknowledge how much, unacter of Prelacy, and his own indubitable der God, they owed to Bruce.
claims to the sacredness of pure apostoli-  But there were many other ministers
cal succession                        of decided piety, whose labours the Head
All further innovations were sus- of the Church also owned and blessed to
pended for a time, in consequence of his a very great extent. Of these, David
majesty having intimated that it was his Dickson of Irvine deserves particular
intention to visit his ancient kingdom  mention. It has been already stated,
next year, to be formally crowned king that he was so greatly beloved by his
of Scotland, and to make all the arrange- congregation, that when brought before
ments which might be desirable for pro- the court of the tyrannical prelates, every
moting the peace and happiness of that effort was made by the devoted flock to
portion of his dominions.  Theprepara- secure the enjoyment of their pastor's
tions ft that visit, which were made on precious labours.  They did not at first
the most magnificent scale, so thoroughly succeed; but in the year 1624, he was
occupied the public mind, that almost allowed to return to Irvine, and remain
every thing else was disregarded, all men there during their majesty's pleasure.
vieing with each other how they might Suffering in Christ's cause gives a very
best do honour to the long-expected visit deeply spiritual character to a Christain
of their native king.                 minister's labours.  Soon after Mr. DickThe preceding brief outline of the pro- son's return to his charge, striking effects
gress of public events, from the accession began to appear among his people, and
of Charles to the year in which he pur- in the adjoining parish of Stewarton,
posed to visit Scotland, has been given, where he frequently preached.  This rethat the reader might obtain a continuous markable revival of vital religion begai,
view of the external aspect of what was it appears, in 1625, and lasted for about
done or attempted.  And for the same five years.  " This," says Fleming, " by
reason it is now intended to retrace the the profane rabble of that time was called
same period of years, that a continuous the Sleioarton sickness; for in that parish
view may be obtained of matters im- first; but afterwards through much of
measurably more important than the des- that country, particularly at Irvine under




136             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. V
the ministry of Mr. Dickson, it was re- ful hold which the latter possessed of the
markable; where it can be said (which nation's heart.
diverse ministers and Christians yet alive  In no individual instance probably,
can witness), that for a considerable time was the converting power of the Spirit
few Sabbaths did pass without some evi- more signally displayed than at the Kirk
dently converted, or some convincing' of Shotts, on Monday the 21st of June
proof of the power of God accompanying 1630. It appears that John Livingstone,
his Word. And truly this great spring. a young man of about twenty-seven years
tide, as I may call it, of the gospel, was of age, who was at that time.domestic
not of a short time, but of some years' con- chaplain to the Countess of Wigton, had
tinuance; yea thus, like a spreading gone to attend the dispensation of the
moor-burn, the power of godliness did Lord's Supper at the Kirk of Shotts.
advance from one place to another, which There had been a great confluence of
put a marvellous lustre on those parts of both ministers and people from all the adthe country, the savour whereof brought joining country; and the sacred services
many from other parts of the land to see of the communion Sabbath had been
its truth."*                         marked with much solemnity of manner
Another token for good to the suffer- and great apparent depth and sincerity
ing Church of Scotland occurred in the of devotional feeling. When the Mon
year 1628. At a meeting of the synod day came, the large assembly of pious
in Edinburgh in the spring of that year, Christians felt reluctant to part without
it had been agreed upon to apply to his another day of thanksgiving to that God
majesty that a general fast might be held whose redeeming love they had been cornall over the kingdom.  The ostensible memorating.  Livingstone was prevailcauses adduced for this proposal by the ed upon to preach, though reluctantly,
prelates, were the dangerous state of Pro- and with heavy misgivings of mind, at
testant Churches abroad, the prevalence the thought of his own unworthiness to
of vice and immorality at home, and to address so many experienced Christians.
implore the divine blessing upon his He even endeavoured to withdraw himmajesty's arms being at that time invol- self secretly from the multitude; but a
red in hostilities both with France and strong constraining impulse within his
with the House of Austria. To these mind caused him to return, and proceed
causes, the Presbyterians naturally ad- with the duty to which he had been apded the consideration of their own suffer- pointed.  Towards the close of the sering state, and of the oppressive innova- mon, the audience, and even the preacher
tions forced upon the people. Much of himself was affected with a deep unthe searching power of the Holy Spirit usual awe, melting their hearts and subseems to have been   granted to both duing their minds, stripping off inveterate
ministers and people during their solemn prejudices, awaking the indifferent, profast; and many felt, that in humbling ducing conviction in the hardened, bowthemselves before God, and making an ing down the stubborn, and imparting to
earnest confession of sin, both national many an enlightened Christian, a large
and individual, they obtained a strength increase of grace and spirituality.  "It
not their own,-a spiritual strength,-  was known," says Fleming, "as I can
preparing them for greater sufferings, speak on sure ground, that nearly five
and giving earnest of final deliverance. hundred had at that time a discernible
And let any truly pious person imagine change wrought on them, of whom most
the contrast between the cold, formal, and proved lively Christians afterwards. It
insincere services of the prelatists, and was the sowing of a seed through Clydesthe deep, earnest, heart-wrung supplica- dale, so that many of the most eminent
tions of the Presbyterian sufferers, breath- Christians of that country could date
ing the very essence of spiritual contri- either their conversion, or some remarktion, and he cannot fail to perceive one able confirmation of their case, from that
mighty cause of the disrespect with which day."*
he former were regarded, and the power-  For a more full account, see Gillies's Collections,
vol. i. p. 310, et seq.; and Fleming's Fulfilling of the
Fleming's Fulfilling of the Scripturas, vol. i. p. 355.  Scriptures, vol. i. pp. 355, 356.




A.D. 1632.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    ^37
Mr. Livingstone, the honoured instru- own characters and habits. But Armin.
ment by which this great work was ianism made little progress till after the
wrought, was one of those against whom  ratification of the Five Articles of Perth,
the tyranny of the suspicious prelates had when the prelatic party felt themselves
been directed. He had been called to be secure, and ventured to follow more opentheir pastor by the people of Torphichen; ly the bent of their inclination. In the
but because he would not take the oath meantime, a large proportion of the
of conformity to the Perth Articles, Spots- Church of England had greedily imbibed
wood would not allow him to be con- these erroneous tenets, thereby widentinued in the charge. This, indeed, was ing the division between them and the
the current policy of the prelates,-a po- party called Puritans.  As soon as the
licy which may generally be expected to Arminian party were headed by the cunbe pursuedby every party when contests ning, narrow-minded, bigoted and malevrun high and victory is doubtful.  But olent Laud, they advanced with rapid
in the case of the prelates, and indeed in strides to the possession of uncontrolled
every case of a contest between right and power in the kingdom, and especially in
wrong, the most politic measure will the favour of the Sovereign.    The
prove injurious to those who employ it. younger Scottish prelates, headed by
When such men as Livingstone were ex- Maxwell, set themselves to emulate Laud,
cluded from a parish by the prelates, and almost surpassed him in their ardent
they were actually compelled to extend advocacy of Arminianism. But however
their influence over a wider sphere than this might recommend them to the king
would otherwise have been either possi- and the English prelates, it had a very
ble or right.  And not unfrequently, as different effect among their own countryin his case, they were received into the men in general.  For the erroneous
families of some of the nobility, where tenets of Arminius, however plausible in
their unassuming manners and deep per- the eyes of men of superficial minds, will
sonal piety produced the most beneficial never stand the scrutiny of a searching
results, both to their protectors, and to the intellect, if directed to the investigation
cause for which they suffered. In this with warm and real interest. Least of
manner both the ejected ministers and all will such tenets give satisfaction to a
the rejected probationers tended, by their heart on which the light of God's Word
fervent and widely diffused labours, to has shone, revealing its desperate wickprepare the great body of the nation for edness,-to a soul which has been quickthat struggle and revulsion which was ened from its deadness in sin by the lifeere long to take place. And when the giving power of the Holy Spirit. In so
reader who is at all acquainted with Scot- far, therefore, as Arminianism prevailed
tish ecclesiastical history marks among among the prelatic party, to that extent
these home missionaries the names of were they regarded as weaklings and
Livingstone, and Blair, and Rutherford, aliens, by the manly and searching inteland Douglas, and Gillespie, and Dunbar, lect of Scotland; and in so far as vital reliand Hogg, and Dickson, and many gion revived and was diffused throughout
others of almost equal eminence, he may the kingdom, to that extent did the righteasily imagine how mighty must have hearted Scottish nobles and peasantry debeen the influence which their sufferings test a system which introduced such men,
and their toils produced in the very heart and men who vitiated the oracles of the
of Scotland.                         living God, and strove to reduce the GosThere is yet another general reflection pel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a code of
which must not be omitted, in order to human morality.
complete our survey of all the elements  It is scarcely necessary to add to these
then fermenting in the kingdom. Soon mighty elements, this further consideraafter the introduction of Prelacy into tion, although it had its influence, that
Scotland by the machinations of King the men who were the keenest sticklers
James, the tenets of Arminius began to for empty forms and ceremonies,-who
be entertained by those worldly-minded did not hesitate to violate their oaths, and
men, as much more congenial to their striveto compel others to the perpetration
low notions of Christianity, and their of the same crime, throwing a whole na
18




138             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. V.
tion into suffering and confusion for the petually turned aside from the path of
attainment of what they themselves ad- safety, and hurried along that of ruin.
mitted to be not a matter of conscience,  It is not our intention to describe the
but merely of convenient and seemly or- pride, pomp and circumstance of his
der,-that these men were generally noto- majesty's triumphal procession, his enrious for vice, profligacy, Sabbath-break- trance into the capital of his ancient kinging, and every species of immorality. dom, and the more than semi-popish paHad even the cause been good, the per- geantry of his coronation. Suffice it to
fidious ard tyrannical manner of its intro- state, that the most enthusiastic reception
duction, and the characters of the men by was given to their monarch by a people
whom it was introduced, would have who were almost instinctively loyal, and
ruined it in the estimation of every man who were prone to gratify him in every
who had an eye to discern and a heart thing which their higher allegiance to
to feel.                             God could permit. Still even in the
Some of the defenders of Prelacy have height of their enthusiastic loyalty, they
said, that Scotland never saw it in its true were compelled to feel, that in the most
aspect,-that if we had, we would have important matters there existed no harreceived it, and made it cordially our mony of sentiment and feeling between
own. Certainly Prelacy never appeared their sovereign and them. The maniin Scotland but as a tyrannical and per- fest preference shown by the king to all
secuting system; therefore we have little the rites, ceremonies, and gaudy exhibicause to love it. But we can see it in tions of Prelacy, strengthened the distrust
England, with all its blushing honours already entertained, that no good was inand unblushing abuses thick upon it,-  tended to the Presbyterian  Church.
with its clergy secularized, and its people Ample proof was soon given that these
uninstructed; and what we see of it there apprehensions were but too well founded.
has no tendency to recommend it to our  Previous to the meeting of parliament
favourable regard, or to make us lan- the king arranged matters in the most
guish for its reintroduction to Scotland.  likely way to secure the accomplishment
[1633.] Such was the state of Scotland, of his designs. He introduced ten Enand of the contending parties by which glishmen into the privy council of Scotit was agitated when Charles I. prepared land, one of whom was the notorious
to pay a visit to his ancient kingdom. Laud. The Lords of the Articles were
Had he been disposed to inquire into the so chosen as to be composed almost enstate of the country, with a sincere desire tirelv of those who were known to be
to remedy all proved evils, and redress subservient to the king, and ready to
all manifest grievances,-and had he comply with any thing which he might
been able to lay aside his own preju- require. All matters being thus arranged,
dices, or even to prevail upon himself to the parliament met for the despatch of
investigate matters for himself, and not to business on the 25th of June. Their first
trust entirely to the statements of persons act was one granting to Charles a larger
who were interested in deceiving him,-  subsidy than had ever before been given
the result might have been most propi- to a Scottish king. So far all was hartious. As it was, it proved highly disas- mony and good-will; but the next meastrous. Unfortunately his whole conduct ure aroused a different spirit. It was inwas pre-determined before he left Lon- tituled, " An act anent his Majesty's Royal
don. He wished to enjoy the pageantry Prerogative,and Apparel of Churchmen."
of a Scottish coronation; he intended to This was a combination of two acts, one
hold a parliament for procuring money; passed in 1606, acknowledging the king's
and he was resolved to take measures supremacy over all persons, and in all
for reducing the Church of Scotland into causes; and another passed in 1609, by
perfect conformity with that of England. which King James was empowered to
For the management of the latter point prescribe apparel and vestments to all
he brought with him Laud, who may judges, magistrates, and    churchmen.
not inaptly be designated his evil genius, The act 1606 had been but too often enby whose malign influence he was per- forced, to the sad experience of many




A. D. 1633.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    139
banished ministers and destitute congre- with this act itself, and the forcible and
gations; but the act 1609, concerning fraudulent manner in which it had been
vestments, had been allowed to lie dor- carried, that they resolved to present to
mant. They were now.joined together the king a supplication, explaining and
and made one, in the expectation that the excusing their conduct, and remonstrastrength of the prerogative clause would ting against the manner in which their
carry with it the weakness of the other. freedom to deliberate had been overborne.
To this combined act great opposition This supplication  was drawn up by
was made, the Earl of Rothes heading Hague, the king's solicitor, himself, as
the opposition.  Rothes desired that the Burnet says, a sincere and zealous Presacts might be divided, expressing his byterian. It was read over to Lord Balwillingness to v.ote for the prerogative merino and the Earls of Rothes and
clause, if it stood alone.  The king de- Cassilis. Balmerino disapproved of some
dared that it was now one act, and that expressions in it, and procured a copy,
he must either vote for it or against it, as that he might deliberately peruse and alsuch. Rothes began to argue, that the ter it, according to his own judgment.
second clause was contrary to the liber- Rothes carried a copy. of it to the king,
ties of the Church, and ought not to be that he might, if possible, obtain his mafurther considered until at least the mind jesty's permission to present it, without
of the Church should be ascertained; further exciting his displeasure; but the
but the king rudely interrupted him, com- king would not so much as look upon it,
manded the vote to be taken without fur- and commanded him to proceed no further reasoning, and, calling for a list of ther in that matter. Accordingly it was
the members, which had been previously not presented, and was regarded by its
prepared, he sternly said, " I have all authors as consigned to oblivion. But it
your names here, and I will now know  ere long appeared that the king and the
who are good subjects and who are bad."  prelates could neither forget nor forgive
The question was then put; Rothes whatsoever thwarted them.
promptly voted, "Not content."  His ex-  In the meantime the oppressed Presample was followed by fifteen earls and byterian Church of Scotland did not neglords, several barons, and forty-four com- lect the opportunity of his majesty's premissioners of counties and   burghs.t sence in the kingdom, and the meeting of
Even Burnet affirms that the act was re- parliament, to endeavour to obtain some
jected by the majority; but the clerk of redress of their grievances.  A number
register, knowing well the king's wish, of the most eminent of the ministers redeclared that it was carried in the affirm- paired to Edinburgh, met together, and
ative. Rothes asserted that the contrary deliberated in what manner they ought to
was the case; but the king, whose at- proceed. It was resolved to present to his
tempt to overawe the parliament must majesty and the parliament a petition
have made him aware of the truth, dis- containing a full statement of the grievhonourably supported the clerk's false as- ances of the Church, expressed in the
sertion, saying that it must be held most respectful terms, and humbly supgood unless the Earl of Rothes would go plicating redress. This petition was supto the bar, and accuse him of falsifying pressed by the clerk register, who was a
the record of parliament —an offence fierce prelatist; upon which a new pet
which was capital; and in that case, if tion was prepared, mentioning the one
he should fail in the proof, he was liable given into the hands of the clerk registo the same punishment.j  This perilous ter, and requesting his majesty to cause
step Rothes declined to take; conse- it to be read and considered. That the
quently the act was declared to have latter petition might not also be supprespassed, though its power was greatly par- sed, Mr. Thomas Hogg, who had been
alyzed by the despotic and nefarious na- deposed from his ministry at Dysart, by
ture of the transaction, which speedily the High Commission, delivered it per
became known to the whole kingdom.    sonally to the king. His majesty perused
So dissatisfied were the lords, both it with unmoved countenance, but re' Kirkton. p. 30.        turned no answer.  Too well the neg
T Rutherford's Letters, part iii. letter 40.sufferers saw that no rdress was
$ Burnet's History of his own Times, pp. 21,  lected sufferers saw that no redress was




140             HISTOR'Y CF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. V
to be expected from the king: but they the king, he declared that he had found
did not despair; but they presented their a man whose high merits deserved that
supplications to the King of kings, in a bishopric should be made for him.
the full confidence that He would not re- This man of rare eminence was Mr.
ject their prayers.                 William Forbes, one of the ministers of
The remainder of the time spent by Edinburgh,-the same person who had
Charles in Scotland tended but to in- been brought from Aberdeen to the capcrease the alienation between him and his ital, in consequence of his known attachbest subjects. He studiously neglected, ment to Prelacy and Arminianism, and
and even insulted, those who had oppo- whose scoinful disregard of his respectsed his designs; and heaped honours able parishioners had been the cause to
upon those who had showed themselves them of heavy fines and protracted imwilling to prostrate the liberties of the prisonment. In recompense of these merChurch and the kingdom at his feet. At itorious deeds, Edinburgh was constilength he took his departure, little grati- tuted a bishopric, and Forbes appointed
fled with the result of a visit from which its first prelate,-an appointment not calhe had promised himself a vast acces- culated to soothe the oppressed and insion of strength. He was already deeply suited citizens. The new bishop deterinvolved in contentions with his English mined to justify the choice of his maparliament; and he seems to have antici- jesty, by proceeding immediately, in the
pated, that by his visit to Scotland he most rigorous manner, to enforce obediwould secure the support of that king- ence to the Perth Articles; and issued a
dom, and be thereby enabled to coerce circular order to all the presbyteries within
the people of England into submission to his diocese, commanding them to conform,
his arbitrary sway. Little did he under- on pain of his ecclesiastical censure. The
stand the character of either country, or majority of the Edinburgh presbyteries
the nature of the principles by which at yielded; but several others not only rethat time both were so deeply moved. fused to comply, but even boldly warned
There seemed, indeed, to rest upon the haughty prelate of the sinful and
Charles I. and all his advisers,-those at dangerous nature of his own conduct, in
least in whom he most confided,-a cloud thus wantonly aggrieving the conscience
of infatuation, concealing or distorting of both ministers and people in matters
every truth, and giving a delusive aspect for which he could find no warrant in the
to error.                            Word of God. Before, however, his
Some may perhaps be disposed to say, fiery zeal had time to proceed to the exthat the act respecting the vestments of tremities which he had threatened, he
churchmen was not a matter of such im- was, happily for his own memory, reportance as to justify the opposition made moved from the scene by death, and sucto it. But it must be observed, that the ceeded by Lindsay, bishop of Brechin,
passing of such an act, without consult- to which latter see Sydserf was aping the Church on the matter, involved pointed.
the whole question respecting the liberty  An event occurred about the same
of the Church; and especially, joined as time, the consequences of which proved
it was to the clause respecting the royal exceedingly detrimental to the character
prerogative, it implied no less than that and schemes of the king. It has been
the power of dictating to the Church in already mentioned, that a supplication
every matter, whether of vital impor- had been prepared to be presented to his
tance or comparatively trivial, was a part majesty, by those lords who disapproved
of the royal prerogative. In fact, it vir- of the act of parliament respecting the
tually admitted, and very soon would -prerogative and the attire of churchmen;
have rendered operative, the principle, and that, theugh it was not presented,
that the king was the Head of the Church, Lord Balmerino retained a copy of it in
-a principle directly subversive of the his own possession.  It would appear
Church of Scotland, which has never that Balmerino still entertained hopes of
admitted any Head but the Lord Jesus this petition being useful,. as explaining
Christ alone.                        to the king the feelings and sentiments
[1634.J Previous to the departure of actuating a number of his most faithful




A. D. 1637.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  141
subjects, and had showed it in confidence youth been distinguished for daring and
to one Dunmoor, a legal friend whom he reckless ferocity of character, shown estrusted, for the purpose of obtaining his pecially in the murder of "the bonnie
aid in modifying its phraseology, so as to Earl of Murray," the good regent's son,
be as little offensive to the king as it -this aged homicide arose, and with a
could possibly be rendered. Dunmoor tremulous voice, desired them to consider
was allowed to take it home with him, on what they were about. " It was," he said,
the promise of keeping it concealed from  ": a matter of blood, and they would feel
every one; but he so far violated his the weight of that as long as they lived.
pledge as to show it to Hay of Naugh- He had in his youth been drawn into
ton, on promise of secrecy. Hay surrep- shed blood, for which he had the king's
titiously obtained a copy, and carried it pardon; but it cost him more to obtain
to Archbishop Spotswood, who immedi- God's pardon: it had given him many
ately posted off with it to London, com- sorrowful hours, both day and night."
mencing his journey, according to his The tears, as he spoke, ran down his
custom, on a Sabbath-day. The king, furrowed cheeks; and for a time the
whose own conscience must have se- chill sensation of sympathetic horror held
cretly condemned him for the tyrannical the guilty conclave silent.*  But Traand fraudulent manner in which he had quair, to break the force of this pathetic
compassed the passing of that act, and appeal, reminded them that the question
instigated by Spotswood and Laud, re- which they had to determine, was simply
solved to wreak his vengeance on Bal- whether or not Balmerino had concealed
merino. It required some ingenuity to his knowledge of the author of a proframe a plausible ground of accusation duction said to be seditious. The result
against that nobleman. This the malig- was, that seven of the jury voted for acnity of Spotswood supplied, by the dis- quittal, and seven voted guilty; the casttorted application of one of James's de- ing vote of Traquair secured the conspotic acts respecting what is termed leas- demnation of Balmerino, and sentence of
ing-making, or the crime of sowing dis- death was immediately pronounced,sention between the king and his sub- the execution to be delayed till the
jects. By this act, writing or saying pleasure of the king should be known.
any thing which might tend to bring dis- Intense had been the interest excited by
credit on the king and the government this trial; and no sooner was the result
was declared capital; and even to know  divulged than public indignation swelled
who was the author of any such seditious to a storm. Secret meetings were held, at
matter, and not to reveal it, was held to which plans of the most daring character
involve equal guilt, and to expose to the were proposed. It was resolved that the
same punishment. But this latter clause prison should be forced, and Balmerino
had never been put in execution; and yet set at liberty; or, if that attempt failed,
on the strength of it alone was Balme- to revenge his death by the slaughter of
rino to be tried for his life.       that portion of the jury by whose verdict
The management of the trial was in- he had been condemned. Traquair pertrusted to the Earl of Traquair, who was ceiving the danger, hastened to the king,
at that time rising rapidly into court fa- informed him of the state of public feelvour. Traquair was not a man to be de- ing, and solicited a pardon for the conterred by any scruples of conscience demned nobleman, which his majesty refrom the invidious and dangerous task. luctantly granted.
He selected such a jury as he thought he  Scarcely any thing could have been
could trust, and got some of Balmerino's more injurious to the character and the
personal enemies appointed to be asses- schemes of the king than this trial. It
sors to the justice-general, that he might not only proved beyond all doubt the ar
secure both the declaration of the law bitrary disposition of Charles himself,
and the verdict of the jury. Balmerino who could brook no opposition to his dedefended himself with great ability. spotic will, not even in the constitutional
When the verdict of the jury was about form of an humble supplication and reto be required, Gordon of Buckie,-then monstrance; but it also showed clearly,
a very aged man, but who had in his    * Burnet's History of his own times, pp. 24,25.




142             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. V.
that the main object at which he aimed, dangerous; but the younger and more
in his zeal for the establishment of Pre- reckless party, encouraged by Laud, exlacy in Scotland, was, that he might ob- pressed their confidence that the attempt
tain in the prelates a set of nominal lords, might be made with perfect safety. Some
creatures of his own, who would be difference of opinion also existed whether
wholly subservient to his commands, and the English Book of Canons and Liturgy
enable him to reduce the kingdom to a should be adopted, or one framed exstate of utter slavery. If any thing had pressly for Scotland; but upon the reprebeen wanting either to excite or to con- sentation of the more cautious party, that
firm the jealousy of the Scottish nobility, the very fact of these new arrangements
who were already irritated at the arro- coming from England would give them
gance of the prelates, it was supplied by the appearance of conveying a studied
the trial of Balmerino. In it they saw insult to the national feeling of indepenrevealed the very heart of his majesty's dence, and thereby greatly increase the
design,-that a change in church gov- hostility against them, it was finally
ernment was the means, but absolute des- agreed that a Book of Canons and a
potism the end, at which he aimed; and Liturgy should be framed in Scotland,
much as many of them disliked the se- and communicated to Laud, Juxon, and
vere impartiality of Presbyterian disci- Wren, for their revision and approval.
pline, they felt that they had more in This matter was finally determined upon
common with men who were the friends in September. About the same time the
of freedom, sacred and national, however Court of Exchequer was remodelled, a
strongly opposed to that licentiousness number of the barons removed, and four
which is the bondage of the soul, than of the vacancies filled by the aspiring
they could have with those who could prelates.
indeed tolerate all immoralities, but were  [1635.1 Early in the year 1635, prethe banded foes of all true liberty, civil latic ambition obtained another triumph.
and religious. Thus were the nobles, tht The Earl of Kinnoul, lord chancellor of
ministers, and the people, gradually Scotland, a nobleman of the antique
drawn together into one common cause, mould, who had repeatedly checked the.
by the infatuated conduct of their com- arrogance of the prelates, and on one
mon oppressors; and the remembrance occasion had refused precedency to Spotsof the manner in which they had in wood, even when solicited by Charles
former times asserted and defended their himself, died in December of the precedliberties, began again to suggest the idea ing year.  The high office thus left
of a bond of union, whence all parties vacant was conferred on Spotswood, who
might derive mutual protection and sup- was thus raised to the highest pinnacle
port. But the crisis was not yet come; of rank on which a Scottish subject could
and the prelatic party were allowed to be placed. Some of.the older prelates
fill up the measure of their guilt.  dying about the same time, several
Nor were they slack in their guilty changes took place, in all of which not
career. They marked not the tempest wisdom, worth, and learning were adblackening around the national horizon; vanced, but men of ambitious and intrigthey felt not the ground-swell beginning uing minds obtained the stations of greatto heave beneath their feet, indicative est honour and emolument. Elated with
of the coming earthquake. Exulting in this success, they now proceeded to entheir fallacious prosperity, they continued force an enlargement of their Court of
to urge forward with reckless haste the High Commission, for which his mameasures which were to issue in their jesty's letters patent had been a short
own destruction. Although they had not while previously obtained. Before this
been yet able to enforce obedience to the time only archbishops could hold Courts
Perth Articles, they urged the propriety of High Commission: now they were
of having a Book of Canons framed for ernpowered to hold such courts in every
the government of the Church, and a diocese, each prelate in his own, where,
Liturgy prepared for its form of worship. assuming to himself any six ministers, he
This Spotswood and the older prelates could call before him and sit in judgment
opposed, regarding the attempt as yet too upon any person, of whatsoever quality.




A. D. 1634.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.,43
4 These courts," says Burnet, "were held by the ministers for expounding the
thought little different fromn the Courts of Scriptures; and that on no occasion in
Inquisition."* Sydserf, now made bishop public should a minister pour out the fulof Galloway, immediately raised one of ness of his heart to God in extemporary
these courts in his diocese, banished Gor- prayer.  Many  minute arrangements
don of Earlston to a remote part of the were also decreed respecting the ceremokingdom, suspended   Robert Glendin- nial parts of worship, as fonts for baptism,
ning, minister of Kirkcudbright, who had communion-altars, ornaments in church,
reached the venerable age of seventy- modes of dispensing the communion elenine, and began that persecuting process ments, the vestments of the clerical order,
against Samuel Rutherford, which ended and all such other idle mummeries as the
in his banishment to Aberdeen.        busy brain of Laud could devise, or the
In April the same year a meeting of fantastic fooleries of Rome suggest. Such
the prelates was held in Edinburgh, are some of the chief regulations in the
to see what progress had been made Book of Canons; and yet, although
in the framing of the Book of Canons. every Presbyterian must have perceived
After the Scottish prelates had brought it at once that they were totally subversive
as near to perfection as they could, it was of the constitution of the Presbyterian
sent to Laud, under the care of Maxwell, Church, his majesty's declaration was
bishop of Ross, the leader of the younger made, with consummate effrontery, to
prelates.  Having  obtained the high assume them to have been taken from the
benefit of Laud's supervision and amend- acts of the General Assemblies held in
ments, the Book of Canons was confirmed former years.*
under the great seal, by letters patent  Great was the indignation felt all over
bearing date 23d May 1635.  The Book Scotland when the character of the Book
of Canons, thus revised and sanctioned of Canons came to be known; and innuby the regal fiat, was sent, not to Edin- merable were the discussions respecting
burgh, but to Aberdeen, that arsenal of its papistical regulations which immedi
Scotland's woes, to be printed, and then ately ensued.  The prelatic party encirculated by the prelates throughout their deavoured feebly to defend it; but their
respective dioceses.  The canons con- antagonists condemned it unsparingly
tained in this book were subversive of and in the strongest terms.  The nobility
the whole constitution of the Church of were secretly gratified to find it so glarScotland.  The first decrees excommuni- ingly offensive, believing that its regulacation against all who should deny the tions never could be enforced, and perking's supremacy in ecclesiastical affairs: ceiving that its failure must shake the
the next pronounces the same penalty credit and diminish the power of the preagainst all who should dare to say that lates, whose ambitious usurpation of the
the worship contained in the Book of highest offices in the State they could not
Common Prayer (a book not yet pub- brook.     The people almost universally
lished, nor even written) was supersti- detested the Book of Canons, regarding
tious or contrary to the Scriptures. The it as directly popish, and intended to presame penalty was decreed against all who pare for the introduction of Popery itself.
should assert that the prelatic form of All the hostility, however, thus increased
church government was unscriptural. and extended against the prelaticinnovaEvery minister was enjoined to adhere to tions, did not break.out into any positive
the forms prescribed in the Liturgy, on tumults; but it gave an immense addipain of deposition; which Liturgy, as tional power to the deep under-current of
before stated, was not yet in existence. the popular mind, and pointed its course
It was decreed also, that no General As- directly against those regal and prelatic
sembly should be called, but by the king; measures which were now universally
that no ecclesiastical business should even felt to be equally injurious to civil liberty,
be discussed, except in the prelatic courts; freedom of conscience, and the purity of
that no private meetings, which were sacred worship.
termed conventicles, and included pres-  [1636.] During the year 1636, the
byteries and kirk sessions, should be  - Stevenson's History of the Church of Scotland,
edition  1840, pp. 159-164; Cruickshank, vol. i. p. 41;'Burnet's History of his cwn Times, p. 26.  Neale's History of the Puritans, vol. ii p. 277, &c.




144             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND               [CHAP. V
contending parties seemed to be silently ware, lest they bring upon themselves the
mustering their strength, preparatory to a suspicion, or confirm the belief, that they,
conflictwhich should provefatal to the one too, belong to the same ravening and
or the other. But there was thisverysigni- blood-thirsty herd.
ficant difference between the modes of pre-  The prelates, as has been already
paration, that the prelatic party strained stated, had procured admission to the
every nerve to obtain an accession to that privy council, the exchequer, and the
political and civil power which was courts of session and justiciary, so that
already exorbitant, and upon which alone at least the half of the civil offices in the
they seemed to rely for support in the kingdom were filled by these aspiring
hour of peril; while the Presbyterians churchmen.  The office of lord high
were doubly earnest in their prayers to treasurer becoming vacant, Maxwell,
God, in whose wisdom   to guide, and bishop of Ross, grasped eagerly at that
strength to uphold them, they placed all high office, in addition to three other civil
their confidence.  The only other me- offices which he already enjoyed. But
thod adopted by the ministers was, that the nobility, disgusted with his insatiable
of informing their people of the nature ambition, concurred in requesting the
and course of the proceedings which the king to confer it on Traquair, who was
prelatic party were urging forward with already in high favour with the sovereign.
such high-handed tyranny.   Attempts Baffled ambition is the very spirit of imhave often been made to convict these placable revenge. From that time forpious men of the grave crime of neglect- ward Ross and Traquair cherished a
ing the most important duty of their deadly mutual hatred, and strove to
office, the preaching of salvation through thwart each other's designs. The two
the Redeemer, and converting the pulpit rivals strove to counterplot each other
into a place for uttering seditious and in- about the continuation or the breaking up
flammatory harangues. This is an accu- of the commission for the teinds; but in
sation easily made, but fortunately as this also Traquair proved an overmatch
easily refuted. The writings of these for his antagonist. The prelates had
culumniated men still exist, and never begun to find, that when the teinds were
have been surpassed for the heart-search- valued and purchased, they lost the power
ing earnestness of practical piety, purity, of drawing the revenues of the diocese
and depth of devotional feeling, loftiness into their own possession, nothing remainof spirituality, and even peace-loving gen- ing but what was alloted for the local
tleness of temper, which they contain and stipends of the ministers. They theredisplay. To prove this statement, nothing fore now wished the commission termimore is necessary than to direct the rea- nated, for their own avaricious ends. But
der to the letters of Samuel Rutherford, Traquair persuaded the king to continue
the greater part of which were written in that court, and even contrived to persuade
those very stormy times, and many of several of the prelates to support his views.
them while he was himself suffering per-  These contests for wealth and power
secution because of his refusal to yield to had engrossed the prelates so much for a
prelatic despotism.  And would these time, that the Book of Canons had been
watchmen of our Zion have been guilt- allowed allowed to sink into comparative
less, if they had neglected to warn those oblivion.  This apparent calm in the
over whom   they had been appointed public mind the prelates seemed to regard
overseers, that days of sharp and fiery as a positive acquiescence by the nation
trial were at hand  Would they have in the progressive changes of church
been true shepherds, if they had seen the government and discipline which they
wolf about to break in upon the fold. and were labouring to introduce; and accorgiven no alarm? True, their silence dingly came to the conclusion that the
would have been more favourable to the Liturgy also might now  with perfect
wolfish invaders; and, no doubt, by a safety be published and enforced. Some
wolfish conclave their loud and earnest authors assert that Traquair encouraged
warnings would be vehemently censured them to urge forward the Liturgy, with
and condemned. But let those who still the very intention of precipitating their
re-echo and renew these accusations be- ruin; but this seems scarcely credible, a;




A. D. 1637.J    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   145
he was himself certain to share in both try; which gave to men the opportunity
the obloquy and the danger.  However of ascertaining the real character of the
that might be, the prelates themselves production, and of forming a deliberate
were sufficiently desirous of having their resolution how to act when  he crisis
long-contemplated purpose accomplished. should take place. In the beginning of
A Liturgy, or Book of Public Worship, July the prelates procured an order fiom
was framed by the bishops of Ross and the privy council, empowering them to
Dunblane, on the model of the English raise letters of horning (the technical
Prayer-Book, and sent to London for the phrase in Scottish law for a kind of outrevision of Laud. It was returned with lawry) against the ministers who should
innumerable corrections and additions, manifest reluctance to receive the Liturgy,
all tending to give it a more popish char- ordering them to provide for the use of
acter.  " I have seen," says Kirkton, their parishes two copies of the Service
"the principal book, corrected with Book each, within fifteen days after they
Bishop Laud's own hand, where in every received the order, on pain of being deplace which he corrected, he brings the dared and treated as rebels against the
word as near the missal as English can king and the law.*
be to Latin."*   A proclamation was    But even in the moment of the closing
brought from Court by the bishop of struggle the spell of infatuation seemed
Ross, and published by an act of privy- to rest upon the prelates. In every stage
council in December 1636, announcing of their proceedings something occurred
the completion ofthework, and command- which caused them to throw away the
ing all faithful subjects to receive with mask, and reveal their true motives,
reverence, and conform themselves to, proving that self-interest, and not zeal for
the public form of religious service therein religion, was their ruling principle. The
contained. To conform to that Liturgy, two archbishops of St. Andrews and
so popish in its character, and imposed in Glasgow, Spotswood and Lindsay, were
such an arbitary manner, was impossible both at that time busily engaged in makwithout being prepared to yield up every ing such arrangements as would have
vestige of liberty, civil and religious, and largely increased their revenues, but
to violate all that conscience held most would to the same extent have diminished
sacred.                             those of the Duke of Lennox and the
[1637.] Even after this last element of Earl of Traquair. To prevent this, Trastrife had been thrown into the surcharged quair exerted all his court influence; and,
and boiling heart of the community, the about the middle of July, procured from
long-collected storm' of popular indigna- the king an order to dissolve the commistion did not at once burst forth. The sion for teinds till further advisement.
proclamation itself was so far premature, By this order all the schemes of the
that the Liturgy was not yet printed off arch-prelates were at once suspended,
and ready for distribution; and although and their golden harvest subjected to a
it had been determined that the period of fatal blight. Both resolved to journey to
its universal adoption should be at Easter, London for the purpose of endeavouring
that period was allowed to elapse, except to procure redress, but thought that their
that some of the bishops, who had ob- prospect of succeeding with his majesty
tained early copies, began to use the would be greatly promoted if they could
Liturgy in their own churches about that carry with them the gratifying intellitime. Some of the more wary of the gence that the Liturgy had been actually
prelates were apprehensive of the cotn- introduced into the Church of Scotland;
ing tempest, even by the deep preternatu- Up till this time they had;been favourable
ral stillness by which it was preceded; to delay till the angry feelings of the peowhile others regarded the stillness as a ple might subside; but now, when their
proof that the spirit of the people was pecuniary interests were affected, they bebroken and humbled, and that no resist- came the most urgent to proceed immeance would be made. In May and June diately. They accordingly procured his
a few copies of the Liturgy began to ap- majesty's letter, requiring the Liturgy to
pear, and to be circulated about the coun- be used in all the churches of Edinburgh,
* Kirkton, p. 30.               * Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 3.
19




146             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. V.
and an act of the privy council to en- hurled it at the dean's head. Instantly
force obedience to the royal mandate. all was tumultuous uproar and confusion.
Spotswood, goaded on by his love of mo- Missiles of every kind were flying from
ney, summoned the ministers together, all directions, aimed at the luckless leader
announced to them his majesty's pleasure, of the forlorn hope of Prelacy; and sevand commanded them to give intimation eral of the most vehement rushed towards
from their pulpits, that oin the following the desk, to seize upon the object of their
Sabbath, the public use or the Liturgy indignation.  The dean, terrified by this
was to be commenced.  One only of the sudden outburst of popular fury, tore
ministers, Mr. Andrew Ramsay, refused; himself out of their hands and fled, glad
the rest promised obedience.         to escape, though with the loss of his saThis announcement sounded to Scot- cerdotal vestments. The bishop of Edinland like a trumpet-call to arms. During burgh himself then entered the pulpit,
the intermediate week all was anxious, and endeavoured to allay the wild tumult,
but no longer silent, expectation. Several but in vain.  Fe was instantly assailed
brief but vigorous pamphlets appeared, with equal fury, and was with difficulty
condemning the Liturgy, and the prelates rescued by the interference of the magisfor urging forward that daring innovation trates. When the most outrage -us of the
without the sanction of either Parliament rioters had been thrust out of the church,
or Assembly; numerous meetings for the dean attempted to resume the service;
prayer and consultation were held simul- but the tumultuary din of the mob on the
taneously, though not by concert; and outside, shouting aloud their hostile cries,
the low murmur of indignant Scotland's breaking the windows, and fiercely batvoice began to be heard like the awaken- tering the doors, compelled him to termi
ing thunders on far distant hills, or the nate the mangled service abruptly. Great
deep sound of the advancing ocean-tide.  exertions were required to protect the
The 23d day of July 1637 was the prelates from   the fury of the excited
day on which the perilous experiment rioters, whose long-pent feelings had now
was to be made, whether the people of burst forth in a torrent of ungovernable
Scotland would tamely submit to see the violence.
religious institutions of their fathers wan-  This riot, as the reader will perceive,
tonly violated and overthrown, for the bears every mark of having been entirely
gratification of a despotic monarch and a an unpremeditated burst of popular indiglordly hierarchy. Several of the prelates nation.  Yet writers on the prelatic side
were in the capital, to grace the innova- have attempted to represent it as a pretion with their presence.  The attention concerted scheme of the leading Presbyof the public was directed chiefly to the terian nobility and ministers. It does not
cathedral church of St. Giles.  There seem necessary to enter into the controthe dean of Edinburgh prepared to corn- versy further than to state, that their asmence the intended outrage on the na- sertions are directly contradicted by well
tional Church and the most sacred feel- authenticated facts; and that although
ings of the people.  A deep melancholy the most searching investigations were
calm brooded over the congregation, all instituted by the magistrates of Edinburgh,
apparently anticipating some display of immediately after the riot, not the slightmingled wrath and sorrow, but none est trace was found of any pre-arrangeaware what form it might assume, or ments having been made, and none but
what might be its extent. At length, the lowest of the people, whose passions
when their feelings, wound up to the are generally least under control, were
highest pitch, were become too tremu- found to have been concerned in it. Inlously painful much longer to be endured, deed it was almost wholly confined to fethe dean, attired in his surplice, began to males; and the utmost search of the
read the service of the day. At that mo- magistrates enabled them to detect, apprement an old woman, named Jenny Ged- hend, and commit to prison, only some
des, unable longer to restrain her indig- six or seven servant girls. It was, in
nation, exclaimed, " Villain, dost thou fact, merely the result of a new outrage
say mass at my lug!" and seizing the given to feelings long suppressed, and
stool on which she had been sitting, thereby collected into a degree of concen



A. D. 1637.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    147
irated strength, making their final out- at what had taken place, and not in a
burst the more impetuous, but also the temper to tolerate either the folly or the
more natural,-like aspark of fire thrown arrogance of the mortified and angry
into a high-piled mass of combustible primate. They accordingly sent to his
materials, and causing a sudden and tre- majesty their own account of what had
menduous explosion. In the church of taken place, extenuating the affair, and
the Greyfriars, where the bishop of Ar- accusing the bishops of having caused it
gyle officiated, no other interruption was by all by their own vanity and rashness.
that day experienced but groans of deep  These mutual recriminations between
sorrow, and the shriller wailings of lain- the privy council and the prelates tended
entation; but had one single word or to paralyze the executive at the very moact of violence been used, the sorrow  ment when decision and energy were
might have been in an instant converted most required. Meanwhile, the intelli.
into the wild uproar of fury; for in such gence of what had taken place in Edina state of excited feelings the passions of burgh spread throughout the kingdom
the heart can change with the suddenness like the kindling of a beacon-fire, and
of lightning.                        gave the signal of open resistance to this
Great was the consternation and aston- invasion of their sacred rights,-a signal
ishment of the prelatic party when this most willingly received by a high-minded
unexpected storm of popular wrath dash- people, thus wantonly injured in what
ed the Liturgy from   their trembling they held most precious.  They seemed
hands. They had calculated on nothing to perceive, in the paltry riot of Edinworse than a few weak and sullen mur- burgh, the cloud like a man's hand rising
murs from the people, and perhaps the out of the sea, soon to cover the whole
obstinate resistance of a portion of the skies, and descend in showers of new life
ministers in different parts of the country, and energy.  The thrilling fervour of
whom they could easily banish and re- the people told their long oppressed minplace by creatures of their own. But isters that the day of their deliverance
when matters began to assume a more was drawing near, and that they had now
serious aspect than they had expected, but to guide that strong national feeling
they stood amazed and stupified. No which was rising in its might, and would
preparation had been made to overawe soon, if rightly directed, burst through
and suppress popular tumult; and al- and sweep away those feeble barriers
though the rioters were mostly women of within which regal and hierarchical desthe lowest ranks, they began to suspect a potism  had striven to confine it. Nor
more formidable body of antagonists; were they wanting in their duty to the
and their fears exaggerated the nature people, to themselves, and to the Church
and extent of their dangers. Spotswood, of their fathers, in this momentous crisis.
whose cupidity had induced him to urge  Still it was prelatic infatuation that
forward the introduction of the Liturgy, forced on the contest. Foiled in Edinand who had hoped to carry the tidings burgh, the prelates resolved to try whethof its reception in triumph to London, er they might not be more successful in
now thought it expedient to extenuate his the country. Accordingly the two archfailure by transmitting to the king an in- bishops determined to compel all the
flated account of the riot, casting all the ministers within their bounds to procure
blame of its occurrence upon Traquair, and use the Liturgy.  Renewing -the
who had been detained from the capital former imperious mandate, Spotswood
on the eventful day by the marriage of a charged Alexander Henderson, George
relation. At the same time he put forth Hamilton, and James Bruce, the three
his high commission powers in the most most eminent ministers within his diocese,
vehement manner, layingthe town under to purchase two copies of the Service
an episcopal interdict, suspending all Book each, for the use of their parishes,
public worship, even on the hallowed within fifteen days after the date of the
day of God, because the Liturgy had charge, under the pain of rebellion.  The
been rejected. This he did without com- archbishop of Glasgow gave a similar
municating with the privy council, who, charge to all the ministers within his
on their part, were sufficiently annoyed bounds. This called into the field of




148             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. V.
action the man who was destined to be- a promise, that their supplication should
come the leader of his party.  Alexander receive a full answer on the 20th of SepHenderson declared himself willing to tember ensuing.
purchase the book, that he might make   The prelates were exceedingly disaphimself acquainted with its contents; but pointed and enraged by these proceedings
refused to promise that he would use it of the council.  They now saw themin public, boldly affirming, that in mat- selves deserted by the nobility, and they
ters which referred to the worship of never had possessed the support of the
God, no man could be bound to a blind people. But they relied upon the influand servile obedience.  Butas the danger ence of Laud over the king, and upon
to which they were exposed by this his majesty's despotic principles, which
charge was both formidable and near at but too thoroughly coincided with their
hand, the ministers resolved to apply to own; and in the blind wrath of mortified
the privy council for a suspension of the pride they determined to persevere in
charge itself  Accordingly Henderson their course.   Partly  by transmitting
hastened to the metropolis, to present a false accounts to the king, and partly by
petition in his own name, and in that of Laud's suppressing all the true accounts
his two brethren.  He there met with sent by others, the prelates deceived his
William Castelaw from Stewarton, Rob- majesty, and induced him to send a very
ert Wilkie from Glasgow, and James sharp reply to the letter of the privy
Bonar from Maybole, who had been sent council. In that letter he severely reby their respective presbyteries for the proved the magistrates of Edinburgh for
same purpose, chiefly by the advice of permitting the riot, and the privy council
David Dickson and the Earl of Loudon. itself for its feeble management of public
This meeting, unanticipated, so far as ap- affairs; commanding further, that a sufpears, encouraged the ministers to go for- ficient number of the council should reward with their petitions, by making main in the capital till the reading of the
them fully aware of the rapidly-extending Liturgy should be established; that no
harmonyof sentiment and feeling through- magistrate should be chosen for any of
out the kingdom.  On the 23d of August the burghs who was not ready to conthey presented their petitions to the coun- form, and that the bishops should use the
cil; and, at the same time, many letters Liturgy in their own churches.*
were addressed to the councillors by no-  The king's severe and despotic letter
blemen and gentlemen from all parts of again acted like a spark thrown upon a
the country, requesting that the reading train of gunpowder, or like the kindling
of the Liturgy might not be forcibly im- of a beacon. Roused, rather than intimiposed on the ministers.  The council, by dated, the Presbyterians crowded to Edinan act dated the 25th, declared, that the burgh from all parts of the kingdom, as
letters and charges respecting the Service to the spot on which the country's welBook, extended only to the buying there- fare should be lost or gained.  In the
of, and no further.  At the same time the course of three days, twenty-four noblecouncil wrote to the king, giving him a men, many  barons, about a hundred
tolerably full and fair account of the state ministers, commissioners from sixty-six
of the country, of the universal dissatis- parishes, and also from a number of the
faction which the attempted forcible intro- principal burghs, with many of the genduction of the Liturgy had caused, and try from the counties of Fife, Stirling,
of the dangerous consequences which Lothian, Ayr, and Lanark, arrived in the
might be dreaded were the attempt to en- metropolis, all animated by the same
force its reception immediately renewed, spirit, and resolved to defend the purity
or punishment inflicted  on those by and freedom of their national religion.t
whom it was opposed.  It was left to his Less than a month had elapsed since the
majesty, after taking these statements into petitioners against the prelatic innovation
consideration, to  determine by what
cn sid ert.to. deemn  b wh To this last command the bishop of Brechin yielded
means these perilous commotions might a singular compliance. He armed himself with pis
be best allayed, and their caluse removedt ols, and taking his own family, all likewise armed, to
church before the people were assembled, fastened the
or mitigated.  To the petitioners the doors, and so read the Liturgy in triumph. (Baillie,
council gave the additional satisfaction of vol i. p24.  t Baillie, p. 15.




A. D. 1637.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     149
were only four ministers; and now the of the lowest ranks, but were joined and
whole kingdom, as by a simultaneous guided by many of all classes, and were
impulse, had started from  its apparent sufficiently formidable to overawe the
lethargy and poured its confluent streams council, and constrain them  to comply
of living energy into the capital.  In with the wishes of the citizens.  Their
such a mighty and universal movement a petitions were received, and a promise
thoughtful statesman would have seen, was given that they should receive his
as Sir Philip Sidney did in Holland, the majesty's answer against the 17th of Ocmanifested. will of God, and would have tober.
bowed before the sacred majesty of what  The intimation of this expected cornhe thus perceived to be a spiritual ele- munication from the king having been
ment, which none but the Divine Spirit sent throughout the country by Archibald
could have caused so to pervade the Johnston of Warriston, advocate, caused
general heart of the community.  But the immediate reappearance of the Pres
sacred principles are incomprehensible to byterians in Edinburgh, and in still greatmen of secular minds.                 er numbers than foi- erly.  CommissionInstead of all these numerous petitions, ers from above two hundred parishes preit was thought expedient that one should sented petitions to the privy council, bebe presented, in which all the petitioners fore the tenor of the king's despatches
should express their concurrence.  This had been divulged.  The numerous petiwas done accordingly, and presented to tioners then held meetings to deliberate
the privy council by the Earl of Suther- what further steps were necessary to be
land; and although the council declined taken. But as their numbers were now
to give an answer till they should have so great that they could not conveniently
received his majesty's instructions, the meet all in one place, they separated
petitions were given to the Duke of Len- themselves into four divisions, and met
nox, to be by him presented to the king. in as many different places, each orderLennox had expressed himself much im- noblemen, gentry, burgesses, and minispressed by the extent of the national feel- ters-meeting apart from  the others.
ing, declaring that he was sure his ma- Each of these meetings was opened with
jesty was greatly misinformed, else he prayer; after which all were asked indinever could persevere in urging a mea- vidually, whether they disapproved of the
sure which was thus alienating the whole Service Book.  When all had answered
of his most faithful subjects; and hopes that they did, both on account of its matwere entertained that his mediation with ter, and the manner in which it had been
the king would procure a favourable an- attempted to be imposed on the country,
swer. But not trusting too much to the the ablest and most intelligent proceeded
fallacious visions of hope and court fa- to point out more specifically the errovour, the Presbyterians wisely improved neous character of the book, and the agthe opportunity, when so many of them  gravated nature of the grievances already
were together, and drew up several im- sustained, and still further threatened.
portant papers, detailing their principles This judicious procedure tended still
and opinions, by which their unexpected more completely to concentrate and unite
spontaneous harmony of sentiment was the opinions of the petitioners.*
confirmed into a thorough union of heart  While engaged in these deliberations
and mind.                             they were suddenly informed, that an act
Soon after the departure of the numer- of council, proceeding upon his majesty's
ous supplicants from  Edinburgh, some letters, had been that instant proclaimed,
popular commotions agitated the city, in dissolving the standing committee of
consequence of the conduct of the pro- privy council in so far as concerned the
vost, who was a determined prelatist, and affairs of the Church, and commanding
therefore strove to thwart the people, re- the supplicants to leave town within
pressing their petitions, and still urging twenty-four hours, under pain of rebelthe use of the Liturgy, even while it was lion. Another proclamation almost imsuspended in other parts of the kingdom. mediately followed, intended as a punishThese commotions were not, however,     In these discussions Baillie seems to have acquit.
now caused only by the sudden impulses ted himself reatly to the satisfaction of his auditors,.               ~~~~~~~~(Baillie, p, If.




150             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. V
ment to the city, commanding the privy the discipline established in the Church,
council and the Court of Session to be and confirmed by many acts of parliaremoved from Edinburgh to Linlithgow  ment; and it concluded by declaring the
till November, and thereafter to Dundee. belief of the complainers, that all these
And stiil descending with their vindictive wrongs had been committed by the bishmeasures, another proclamation com- ops, contrary to his majesty's intention,
manded a book written by Gillespie, en- craving that these matters might be
titled, "A Dispute against the English brought to trial, and decided according to
Popish Ceremonies," to be called in and justice, and that this complaint might be
burned. It was not difficult to perceive fully represented to his majesty, that
by what hands these proclamations had their grievances and wrongs might be
been fabricated. Indeed, some hints re- redressed, and religion permitted to respecting the probable character of the main as it had been placed by the princiexpected communications from his majesty ples and arrangements of the Reformahad previously been uttered by the pre- tion.*
lates, who were offended with the former  This important document was, in the
leniency of the privy council, and had course of a few hours, subscribed by
represented to the king, that the riots in twenty-four of the nobility, several hunEdinburgh had been caused by ill-affect- dreds of gentlemen, all the ministers in
ed persons resorting thither from  the town, amounting to about three hundred,
country.                             and all the commissioners of burghs
These proclamations had the effect of present. Soon afterwards, having been
constraining the Presbyterian petitioners sent to the country, it was subscribed by
to proceed to a bolder and more decisive fourteen nobles more, gentlemen without
step than any they had previously taken, number, nearly all the ministers in the
and, instead of continuing to act merely kingdom, and by every town except
on the defensive to become themselves Aberdeen, which still continued to retain
assailants.  They resolved to lay before its most unenviable distinction.
the privy council a formal complaint   The vindictive proclamation removing
against the prelates, accusing them di- the courts from Edinburgh caused anorectly of being the cause of all the trou- ther temporary riot, and was the means
bles that disturbed the nation, by their of procuring to the citizens the restoralawless and tyrannical attempts to force tion of those ministers who had been dethe Book of Canons and the Liturgy posed on account of their opposition to
upon an unwilling Church and people. the Liturgy, and also so much control
Two forms of the proposed complaint over the town council as to secure some
were drawn up, the one by Lord Bal- of that body to act as commissioners
merino and Alexander Henderson, the along with the other supplicants, thereby
other by the Earl of Loudon and David restoring the link uniting the metropolis
Dickson, the latter of which was unani- to the rest of the kingdom. The favourmously adopted. Baillie acknowledges able results of this riot, if riot it ought to
that he was himself the only person who be termed, may be partly attributed to
felt any difficulty in agreeing to it, being the open defence of the conduct of the
apprehensive that it went too far; but citizens made by some of the most infiuafter weighing it maturely in his mind, ential of the nobility, as well as to the
he subscribed it, and never repented of fact that people of the highest respectahaving done so.*  It complained of the bility took part in the commotion, and did
arbitrary nature of the proclamation com- so avowedly on the most sacred grounds,
manding them to leave the town, while in the defence of religious purity and
they were peaceably waiting for an an- freedom. " Let any one," said the Earl
swer to their supplication. It then pro- of Rothes, "who hath found the comceeded to point out some of the pernicious fort, and knoweth the binding power, of
characteristics of the Books of Common true religion, judge if this people deserve
Prayer and of Canons, as containing the that censure and imputation which the
seeds of divers superstitions, idolatry, and bishops would cast upon them for oppofalse doctrine, and as being subversive of sing their project. Who pressed that
Baillie, p. 19.                 t Stevenson, pp. 181, 182.




A. D. 1637.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   151
form of service contrary to the laws of making a supreme council of four memGod and this kingdom?  Who dared,in bers.  In this manner was constructed
their conventicles, contrive a form of one of the most active and efficient counGod's public worship contrary to that cils that ever guided the affairs of any
established by the general consent of this community, vigilant, prompt, and enerChurch and state?"  "If any fault or getic, placed in the very centre of the
violence have been committed by any of body politic, conveying life and intellithe subjects in resisting or seeking the gence through its entire frame, and able
abolition of that book, they might retort, to rouse it into instantaneous action at one
that the bishops framing, and the council thrilling call.
authorizing it, were the first and princi-  When these exceedingly judicious arpal causes, necessitating either disobe- rangements had been completed, the
dience to God, and breach of our laws, great body of the petitioners were solemnor else resisting those evils which would ly exhorted to return to their homes, to
bring the judgment of God on the land."  reform their personal habits, to act accordThe next meeting of privy council was ing to their religious profession, and to
held on the 15th of November. Again be earnest and constant in faith and
did the Presbyterians assemble in the prayer to Him in whose hands are the
capital, and in still increased numbers. hearts of kings, and from whom alone
The council, apprehensive of a renewal they could hope for safety to the crown,
of tumultuary commotions in the town  peace to the country, and deliverance to
requested the nobles to use their influence the Church.  These exhortations prowith their friends to induce them to re- duced a deep impression upon the assemturn quietly to their homes. The peti- bled thousands, and were at once obeyed.
tioners signified their willingness to make The people quietly withdrew from the
such an arrangement as would allow the scene of agitating anxiety, committing
greater part to withdraw, no more re- the cause of the distressed Church to the
maining than were requisite to conduct protection of its divine Head and King
all necessary matters, and were empow- fearing God, and having no other fear.
ered by the whole to act in their behalf.  About the beginning of December a
Following up this suggestion, which had meeting of privy council was appointed
indeed been so far practically employed to be held at Linlithgow, to receive the
before as a matter of convenience, it was communications transmitted from his maarranged, that as many of the nobility as jesty by the Earl of Roxburgh.  The
pleased, two gentlemen from every coun- Tables were instantly on the alert, and
ty, one minister from every presbytery, summoned the whole of the commissionand one burgess from   every burgh, ers of the Church to the capital, to be
should form a general commission, re- prepared for any emergency, but at the
presenting the whole body of the Pres- solicitation of Traquair and Roxburgh,
byterians. Still more to concentrate their consented to abstain from going to Linefforts, it was resolved that the general lithgow.  There is reason to believe that
body of commissioners should meet only Roxburgh had it in charge to employ
on extraordinary occasions, and a smaller every method by which the Presbyterlnumber should be selected, who might ans might be weakened; such as, to dereside permanently at Edinburgh, watch- tach some of their supporters by bribes
ing the progress of events, and ready to and promises of preferment, and to seize
communicate with the whole body on and imprison the leading men whom he
any emergency.  This smaller commit- could not otherwise influence; but the
tee was composed of sixteen persons-. first method being indignantly rejected,
four noblemen, four gentlemen, four the second was abandoned as too perilous.
ministers, and four burgesses; and from  Three proclamations were, however,
the circumstance of their sitting in four issued by the council; in one of which
separate rooms in the parliament-house, his majesty declared his abhorrence of
they were designated TlHE FouR, TA- Popery, and his determination to allow
BLES. A   member from  each of these nothing but what should tend to the adconstituted a chief Table of last resort, vancement of religion, " as it is presently
* Rothes's Relation, p. 15.  professed within this his majesty's ancient




152            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. V.
kingdom of Scotland; and that nothing quence, honourable alike to the men and
is, or will be, intended to be done therein to the cause. They are said to have proagainst the laudable laws of that his ma- duced such an impression upon Lord
jesty's native kingdom."  With this Lorn, afterwards Earl of Argyle, as to
proclamation the Presbyterians saw no detach him from the prelatic party, and
reason to be satisfied. It was but too to incline him to that of the Presbyterians,
evident that its language was equivocal, of which he subsequently proved a steady
and might be interpreted to mean, that and able supporter.
his majesty would allow  nothing but   Information of the state of affairs was
what should tend to the advancement of sent by the privy council to the king,
Prelacy, and that he regarded the laws through the Earl of Traquair, accompaniestablishing that system  as " laudable ed by Hamilton of Orbiston, who was aplaws," which nothing should be done pointed to take charge of the petition and
against.  They resolved, therefore, to complaint of the Presbyterians. Some
abide by their own plain and unequivo- faint hopes were entertained, that when
cal complaints, and not to allow them- his majesty should receive full and acselves to be circumvented and deceived, curate accounts of the real state of affairs
either by the arts of courtiers or the king- in Scotland, he might be induced to..bancraft of the sovereign.              don the pernicious attempt to violate the
In vain did Traquair and Roxburgh conscience of an entire kingdom, by forcendeavour to persuade the petitioners to ing upon the people religious ceremonies
rest satisfied with the proclamation. Find- to which they were determinedly opposing them on their guard in this matter, ed; and a hierarchy which they both dethe next attempt was to induce the peti- tested and feared.  But unhappily for
tioners to divide their petitions, and make both the king and the kingdom, an evil
application separately, on the plea that by agency was strenuously at work, promptdoing so their conduct would bear less ing the misguided and obstinate monarch
the appearance of combination, and be to provoke his destiny. Sir Robert Spotsproportionally less offensive to the king. wood, president of the Court of Session,
But the Tables were aware of the maxim, hastened to Londbn, and, aided by Laud,
"divide and conquer," and therefore re- prejudiced the mind of the king against
fused to expose themselves and their cause all sound and wise council; and the archto the danger of division and defeat. Yet bishop, seconding his son's risrepresentaonce more did the council attempt to tions, suggested that the Presbyterians
draw the Presbyterians into a snare, re- would submit, were his majesty to resort
questing them to abandon their accusa- to measures more decisive than any he
tion of the prelates, and to limit their pe- had vet adopted,-that it required but a
tition to the subject of the Book of Can- proclamation condemning the proceeding
ons and the Liturgy. This stratagem  of the Tables, and prohibiting them, unalso failed, in consequence of the unalter- der pain of treason, to put an end to the
able resolution of the Tables to adhere whole opposition.  This advice was but
to the principles stated in their complaint, too congenial to the despotic temper of
and to regard the prelates as parties ac- Charles. It prevailed against the opincused of high offences against the Na- ions of those who counselled a milder
tionat Church, which they had striven to course; and Traquair was commanded
subvert by the introduction of a hierarchy to be in readiness to return to Scotland
not recognised in its constitution.  The early in the following year, to bear down
privy council then attempted to evade re- all opposition, and see his majesty's orceiving the general petition of the Tables; ders carried into effect.
but such was the indefatigable persever-  [1638.] In the beginning of February
ance of the Presbyterian leaders, that the 1638, the Earl of Traquair returned fiom
council was in a manner besieged, and England, bearing with him those arbitracompelled to receive the deputation, and ry commands with which his majesty
listen to their complaint. Baillie has hoped to dishearten and disunite the Prespreserved the speeches of the deputation, byterians.. He was immediately request
which are indeed a noble specimen of ed by some of the leading nobles to in
high religious principle, loyalty, and elo- form them respecting the nature of the




A. D. 1638.]       HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                153
measures which he was empowered to of what dissimulation and threats had
propose; but he declined to give any an- failed to effect. He resolved to hasten
swer till the meeting of the privy council, under night to Sterling, and there issue
which was appointed to be held at Ster- the proclamation, before the Presbyteriling on the 20th of February. The Pres- ans could arrive, on the morning of the
byterians, however, had already received 20th, which happened to be a Monday.
secret information respecting the real Even this proved abortive. His design
character of Traquair's commission; and was detected; the zealous Presbyterians
the intelligence having been speedily sent two of their number to anticipate this
sent throughout the country, great num- new movement; and when the members
bers began to flock to Sterling, to act as of privy council appeared in Sterling to
occasion might require. Traquair en- publish the proclamation, they were met
deavoured to dissuade them from thus as- by the Lords Home and Lindsay, who,embling in dangerous numbers; and read a protest, and affixed a copy of i on,. ey consented so far as to promise to the market-cross, beside that of the prosend Rord Rothes and Lindsay only, as clamation, leaving them there, bane and
a deputation.  Learning soorr after that antidote together.
the intended proclamation would not only  Nothing could have been more injudiprohibit any supplicants from appearing cious than his majesty's proclamation.
before the council, but also would corn- The Presbyterians were all along exmand them to be incarcerated as traitors tremely unwilling to believe, and still
if they should attempt it, they changed more so to affirm, that they regarded the
their plan, and determined to repair to king as in any degree the direct cause of
Sterling in such numbers as should prove their troubles, accusing the ambitious and
a sufficient mutual protection. And.as corrupt prelates of being both the instigathey were resolved that they at least tors and the agents in all the innovations
would act honourably, whatever might which had been made, and the oppresbe the conduct of their antagonists, they sions under which the country had groansent information of this change of purpose ed, ever since the institution of their into Lord Traquair. Somewhat irritated quisitorial and despotic' Courts of High
at the failure of his stratagem, Traquair Commission. But in this proclamation
told them that by asking too much they the king declared " that the bishops were
were defeating their own object; that if unjustly accused as being authors of the
they had contented themselves with sup- service book and canons, seeing whatever
plicating release from the Book of Can- was done by them in that matter was by
ons and the Liturgy, they might have his majesty's authority and orders." The
been successful; but his majesty would proclamation further expressed entire apnot suffer one of his estates to be brought probation of these innocent books; conunder subjection to them. This hasty demned all meetings and subscriptions
answer confirmed all their apprehensions. against them, prohibiting all such proIt showed the king's determination to re- ceedings, under pain of rebellion; and
tain Prelacy under the designation of one ordaining that no supplicant should apof the estates of the kingdom,-an estate pear in any town where the council were
essentially subservient to him, by the dex- sitting, under pain of treason.*  In this
terous use of which he might vitiate every manner did the king openly take upon
court, undermine all the bulwarks of lib- himself all the blame of those measures
erty, and succeed in establishing a perfect against which the great body of the nation
and absolute despotism, civil and religious. had petitioned and complained, as if to
This, indeed, there is every reason to be- tell the kingdom that no redress should
lieve, was his majesty's unavowed but be granted to any of their grievances.
real design,-a design happily frustrated  It might have been thobrht that the
Dy the promptitude, firmness, and energy depths of meanness and duplicity had
which God bestowed upon our Presbyteri- now been explored.  But the council
an ancestors.                       found a still lower deep. Great numTraquair had now but one resource bers of the Presbyterians had arrived in
left, and that an abundantly mean one,-  Sterling before the day was far advanced
to attempt the accomplishment by stealth          Baillie, pp. 32, 33.
20




154             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND               [CHAP. V.
and the council entreated their leaders to nant engagements to Him and His holy
persuade them to withdraw, lest any tu- law.
mult should arise; promising that no act  This great idea re-assured their minds;
of ratification should be passed, and that yet they were aware that it would require
their protest and declinature against the to be cautiously introduced to the notice of
prelates sitting as members of council the weaker and less decided of the bre
should be received.  Yet no sooner had thren. A public fast was intimated, in
the mass of the supplicants withdrawn, which the confession of the defections of
than the council admitted two of the pre- the Church and nation formed naturally a
lates, ratified the proclamation, and re- leading subject of the addresses which the
fused to receive the protest and declinature; most eminent of the ministers were sethus violating their own pledged honour, lected to deliver to crowded audiences of
and degrading the faith of courts beneath earnest and deep thinking men. In this
the level of common falsehood. Several manner the idea of renewing the Covehigh-minded nobles, who had hitherto nant was infused into their minds, while
supported the prelatic measures, recoiled the sacred duties in which they were enfrom the contamination of this act, and gaged had for a time entirely banished
soon afterwards joined the Presbyterians. all narrow, selfish, and worldly consiThe publication of this proclamation in derations.  On the immediately following
other towns was met with equal prompti- day, Monday the 26th of February, the
tude by a protest; and thus, according to subject was openly mentioned; and it
the received opinions on such matters in was found that already there was a strong
Scotland, the binding force of the procla- and very prevalent inclination to renew
mation was neutralized, till the subjects the Covenant.  Alexander Henderson
of which it treated should be freely and and Johnston of Warriston were apfully discussed in Parliament and As- pointed to draw it up, and Rothes, Lousembly.                              don, and Balmerino to revise it. The
These proceedings hastened on the utmost care was taken that it should concrisis.  The  Presbyterians now saw tain nothing which could justly give
clearly that the king himself was deter- offence to even the most tender and scrumined to support the prelates, and ruin pulous conscience. Objections of every
them, if in his power. Unless, therefore, kind were heard and considered, and
they were prepared to bow their necks forms of expression altered, so as to rebeneath prelatic despotism in the Church, move whatsoever might seem liable to
and arbitrary power in the State, they objection.  Baillie and the brethren of
must maintain their position; and to do the west country appear to have been the
so without a more decided and permanent most scrupulous, but all their difficulties
bond of union than that which the Tables were removed or answered.
afforded was impossible. So reasoned the  The Covenant consisted of three parts;
nobility. On the other hand, Henderson, the first, the Old Covenant of 1581, exDickson, and some more of the leading actly as at first prepared; the second, the
men among the ministers, looking more acts of Parliament condemning Popery,
deeply into the matter, became convinced and confirming and ratifying the acts of
that the Church and the nation were suf- the General Assembly,-this was written
fering the natural and penal consequences by Johnston; and the third, the special
of their own defections. And calling to application of the whole to present cirmind how greatly God had blessed the pre- cumstances,-this was the production of
vious Covenants, in which the nation had Henderson, displaying singular clearness
bound itself by the most solemn obligations of thought and soundness of judgment.
to put away all idolatry, superstition, and  At length the important day, the 28th
immorality, and to worship God in sim- of February, dawned, in which Scotland
plicity and faithfulness according to his was to resume her solemn covenant union
own Word, they arrived at the important with her God. All were fully aware,
conclusion, that their duty and their safety that on the great transaction of the day,
were the same, and would consist in re- and on the blessing of God upon it, would
turning to God, and renewing their cove- depend the welfare or the w e of the




A. D. 1638.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND                    155
Church and kingdom for generations to silent.  A  solemn stillness followed,
come. By day-break all the commis- deep, unbroken, sacred.  Men felt the
sioners were met; and the Covenant near presence of that dread Majesty to
being now written out, it was read over, whom they were about to vow allegiance;
and its leading propositions deliberately and bowed their souls before Him, in the
examined, all being invited to express breathless awe of silent spiritual adora
their opinions freely, and every objection tion.
patiently heard and answered. From     Rothes at length, with subdued tone,
time to time there appeared some slightly broke the silence, stating that if any had
doubtful symptoms, indicative of possible still objections to offer, they should repair
disunion; but these gradually gave way if from the south or west parts of the
before the rising tide of sacred emotion kingdom, to the west door of the church,
with which almost every heart was heav- where their doubts would be heard and
ing. Finally, it was agreed that all the resolved by Loudon and Dickson; if
commissioners who were in town, with from the north and east, to the east door
as many of their friends as could attend, where the same would be done by Henshould meet at the Grayfriars church in derson and himself, "Few came, prothe afternoon, to sign the bond of union posed but few doubts, and these few
with each other, and of covenant with were soon resolved."  Again a deep and
God.                                solemn pause ensued; not the pause of
As the hour drew near, people from  irresolution, but of modest diffidence,
all quarters flocked to the spot; and be- each thinking every other more worthy
fore the commissioners appeared, the than himself to place the first name upon
church and churchyard were densely fil- this sacred bond.  An aged nobleman,
led with the gravest, the wisest, and the the venerable Earl of Sutherland, at last
best of Scotland's pious sons and daugh- stepped slowly and reverentially forward,
ters.  With the hour approached the and with throbbing heart and trembling
men; Rothes, Loudon, Henderson,Dick- hand subscribed Scotland's Covenant
son, and Johnston appeared, bearing a with God. All hesitation in a moment
copy of the Covenant ready for signa- disappeared. Name followed name in
ture. The meeting was then constituted swift succession, till all within the church
by Henderson, in a prayer of very re- had given their signatures. It was then
markable power, earnestness, and spirit- removed into the churchyard, and spread
uality of tone and feeling.  The dense out on a level grave-stone, to obtain the
multitude listened with breathless rever- subscription of the assembled multitude.
ence and awe, as if each man felt him- Here the scene became, if possible, still
self alone in he presence of the Hearer more impressive. The intense emotions
of prayer. When he concluded, the of many became irrepressible.    Some
Earl of Loudon stood forth, addressed the wept aloud; some burst into a shout of
meeting, and stated, explained, and vindi- exultation; some, after their names, adcated the'object for which they were as- ded the words, till death; and some
sembled. He very judiciously directed opening a vein, subscribed with their
their attention to the covenants of other own warm blood. As the space became
days, when their venerated fathers had filled, they wrote their names in a conpublicly joined themselves to the Lord, tracted form, limiting them at last to the
and had obtained support under their initial letters, till not a spot remained on
trials, and deliverance from every dan- which another letter could be inscribed.
ger; pointed out the similarity of their There was another pause.  The nation
position; and the consequent propriety had framed a Covenant in former days,
and duty of fleeing to the same high and had violated its engagements: hence
tower of Almighty strength; and con- the calamities in which it had been and
eluded by an appeal to the Searcher of was involved. If they, too, should break
hearts, that nothing disloyal or treason- this sacred bond, how deep would be their
able was meant. Johnston then unrolled guilt! Such seem to have been their
the vast sheet of parchment, and in a thoughts during this period of silent comclear and steady voice read the Cove- muning with their own hearts; for, as if
nant aloud.  He finished, and stood moved by one spirit,-and doubtless they




156              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 [CHAP. VI.
were moved by the One Eternal Spirit, excited to the utmost pitch of possible en-with   low  heart-wrung  groans, and durance, the mighty multitude melted
faces bathed in tears, they lifted up their quietly and peacefully away, each to his
right hands to heaven, avowing, by this own abode, their souls filled with holy
sublime appeal, that they had now " joined awe and spiritual elevation, by the power
themselves to the Lord in an everlasting of the sacred pledge which they had muCOVENANT, that shall not be forgotten."  tually given to be faithful to their country and their God. What but the Spirit
of God could have thus moved an entire
people to the formation of such a bond,
in which every worldly consideration
CHAPTER      VI.             was thrown aside, every personal interest
trampled under foot, every kind of peril
FROM THE SUBSCRIBING OF THE COVENANT IN calmly confronted, solely for the main1638, TO THE' RESTORATION OF CHARLES II.
IN 16608 T TE RESTORATION OF HARLES I  tenance of religious truth, purity, and
freedom 1   Worldly politicians might
The Covenant Subscribed throughout the Kingdom  well stand amazed; selfish and ambitious
with great zeal-Plans of the Prelatists-Applications prelates mi-ht be confounded and
of both Parties to the King-The Covenant Subscribed prelates might be  onfounded and ap
in the Highlands-The King resolves to enter into palled  and a despotic sovereign and his
temporizing Negotiations with the Covenanters-The   d    tic         an 
Marquis of Hamilton appointed Lord High Commis- flatterers might cherish  fierce resentsioner —Deceitful and fruitless Negotiations of Ham- ment when they heard of the wonderful
ilton —Preparations for a Meeting of Assembly-The men en  ey  eard of te wonderu
General Assembly of 1638 held at Glasgow-Struggles transaction: and men of similar views,
of Hamilton-Trimph of the Assembly-Summry aractes, and feelings, may still pour
of its most important Acts-Reflections-Supplication  and  eelings, may  pour
to the Kiig —His Resentment, Schemes of'Revenge, forth their virulent invectives against
and Preparations for War-Deliberations and Preparations of the Covenanters-Montrose at Aberdeen- Scotland's Covenant, and the men who
The King resolves to invade Scotland-The Cove- framed and signed it obeying the divine
nanters arm-Their appearance at Dunse Law-The  e ann   d     eyingte      ine
King enters into a Treaty-Defection of Montrose- impulse by which they were guided and
The King displeased with the Proceedings of the Assembly and Parliament —Prepares again for War- upheld; but we do not hesitate to state
rhe Covenanters prepaie also-Contentions in the our opinion, that the sublime deed of that
Assembly respecting Private Meetings ofa Religious
Character-Reflections-The Army of the Covenan- great day will ever, by all who can unters enter England-The Scottish Commissioners in jd  i   t    regarded as the
London-The Idea of Religious Uniformity in the  erstan  an  vaue  e    as t
Two Kingdoms suggested-ltepeated in the Assembly deed and the day of Scotland's greatest
-First Commission of Assembly-The Covenanters
resolve to enter into Treaty with the English Parlia- national and religious glory.
ment-THE SoLEtRN LEAGUE AND COVENANT-Re-  On the next day, the 1st of March
flections-The Westminster Assembly of Divines-e   e     y    e 
Contemporaneous Events in England and Scotland the Covenant was again publicly read
-Montrose-Charles in the Army of the Cove- 
nanters-The Confession of Faith-The Engage- in a large meeting of those who had
ment-Divisions in Scotland-Death of Charles come too recently to the capital to have
I. —Loyalty of the Covenanters-Cliarles II. proclaimed King-Signs the Covenant-Cromwell in had leisure to take its main propositions
Scotlarnd-Suppression of the General Assembly- into sufficiently deliberate consideration.
Internal State of the Church-Divisions-Resolution-  ntoly.
ers and Protesters-Restoration of Charles II.  Freely were its principles stated, that no
EER, except among God's peculiar man might bind himself to a measure the
NEVER~ except among God's peculiar 
1 I~ 1  1 1   *  1     full nature of which he did not comprepeople the Jews, did any national trans-    nature o         e       t      e
action equal in moral and religious sub- hed; and yet so remarkable was the
limity that which was displayed by Scot- unaninity of the meeting, that about
three hundred ministers at once added
land on the great day of her sacred Noaland on the great day of her sacred Na- their names to the large number already
tional Covenant. Although it was com-             s to he l  arg    e number alrea
o1  7  l    subscribed.  The Covenant was then
puted that there could not be less than    red o he                   s    the
*a r riedo f 1c parts of the
sixty thousand people from  all parts of    ed to   e           c     s 
sixty thousand people from all parts   city, to afford an opportunity to people
the kingdom   assembled at that time in        affod an opportunity to people
T^140~~~ 1  11  1-      dwelling in the different districts of adEdinburgh, there was not the slightest                                     a
appearance of confusion or tumult; and ding to lt their signatures; and wheren the evening of that solemn day, after ever it appeared, it was hailed with joy-:n the evening of that solemn day, after
hours of the deepest and most intense ful welcome as a bond of unity and a
emotion, when every chord of the heart pledge of sacred peace. Great numbers
and every faculty of the mind had been are said to have followed it from place to
and every faculty of the mind had been p          l
v*'.     n ~place, implormg      the blessing of God
- For a more thll account see Baillie's Letters, Rothe's p,  ing   
Relation, Row's History, Alton's Life oflenderson,&c. upon it, with gushing tears and fervent




A. D. 1638.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     157
supplications, that this return of their the signing of the Covenant.  But these
country to its ancient covenant union scenes of intemperate zeal or petty retaliwith God might be the means of averting ation were almost entirely the sudden
the Divine indignation, and procuring ebullitions of passion among a few women
deliverance from their calamities. Copies and boys, unattended by serious conseof it were soon afterwards written, and quences. Not an instance is recorded of
sent to every part of the kingdom, that personal injury having been sustained
by being universally signed, it might be- by a prelatist, but one, and that to a very
come indeed a National Covenant.   It trifling extent.*  And when it is rememwas almost everywhere received with bered how long the country had groaned
feelings of reverence and gratitude. No beneath the prelatic yoke,-how many
compulsion was required to induce men of the most faithful ministers had been
to subscribe a bond, the placing their banished from their attached congreganames on which they held to be at once tions,-and how much injurious and oDa high honour and a solemn duty; nor pressive treatment both ministers and
would compulsion have been permitted, people had suffered from the Court of
had it been required.  "The matter was High Commission,-the chief cause of
so holy," says the Earl of Rothes, "that wonder is, that so little of a vindictive
they held it to be irreligious to use vio- spirit was displayed by the nation, when
lent means for advancing so good a arising in its might, to shake off the gallwork."  And in his answer to the Aber- ing domination of its proud oppressors.
deen  Doctors, Henderson   says, that But this truly glorious blending  of
"some men of no small note offered strength and forbearance, of judgment
their subscription, and were refused, till and mercy, was merely a new manifestatime should prove that they joined from  tion of the Presbyterian spirit and princilove to the cause and not from the fear ples, first shown at the Reformation,
of man."*  Before the end of April there when Popery was overthrown, but the
were few parishes in Scotland in which popish priesthood spared,-repeated in
the Covenant had not been signed by this, the Second Reformation, when Prenearly all of competent age and charac- lacy was condemned, but the prelatic facter. It deserves to be stated, in confir- tion rarely exposed to the slightest degree
mation  of the   thoroughly  religious of that retaliation which they had so
character both of the Covenant itself, and wantonly provoked, —again to be re-exof the feelings regarding it or those by hibited in still more trying circumstances
whom   it was subscribed, that Baillie, by the truly Christian-minded PresbyteLivingstone, and every writer of the rians, but never imitated by their antagoperiod of any respectability, agree in de- nists in their periods of triumph.  The
daring that the subscribing of the Cove- Presbyterian Church of Scotland has
nant was everywhere regarded as a most often suffered persecution, but has never
sacred  act, and was accompanied in been guilty of committing that great
many instances with remarkable mani- crime.
festations of spiritual influence, and in all  The prelates had always declared,
with decided amendment in life and man- when urging forward their innovations,
ners.  It awed and hallowed the soul, that the greater part of the nation would
imparted purity to the heart, and gave readily receive the Canons and Liturgy,
an earnest and foretaste of peace,-that and that the opposition was that merely
peace which the world can neither give of a very few, who might be safely
nor take away,-peace of conscience and despised; but now, when the Covenant
peace with God.                       was received with such cordiality and
We do not affect to conceal that some gratitude throughout the kingdom, they
slight instances of popular violence took were overwhelmed with shame, consterplace in some parts of the country, where nation, and despair, mingled with bursts
either the people had previously suffered of fury and passionate longings for reinjurious treatment from the prelates and venge. Spotswood, x+.o better undertheir partizans, or where attempts were' Even the prelates, in their artiches of information,
made by that party forcibly to prevent mention only four instances of popular violence.
(Burnet's Memoirs of the Duke of Hamilton, p. 41.)
* Answers to the Aberdeen Doctors, &c., p. 9.  Other authors mention about as many more, but not so
well authenticated.




158             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND               [CHAP. VI.
stood the character of his countrymen regarded a civil war as a slight matter,
than the younger prelates, exclaimed, provided they could recover that wealth
" Now all that we have been doing these and power which they had so grievously
thirtyyears past is thrown down at once;" abused. Unfortunately their pernicious
and, yielding to despair, he fled to Lon- advice sunk deep into the mind of
don, and remaining chiefly there in a Charles, impelling him to those measures
state of gloomy dejection, survived the which involved the kingdom in the misruin of his pride and power little more eries of revolutionary strife, and issued
than a year.                          in the death of the beguiled and infatuThe privy council felt almost equally ated monarch. Well indeed may Preparalyzed.  After a deliberation of four lacy canonize as a martyr the sovereign
days at Stirling, during which they were who perished, the victim  of its dark,
receiving hourly intelligence of the rap- bloody, and fatal policy.
idly-extending influence of the Covenant  The Earl of Haddington, to whom the
they resolved to send to the king informa- Covenanters had sent their deputation,
tion of the state of affairs, suggesting the and with whom they maintained a secret
necessity of listening to the remonstran- but very constant correspondence, was
ces of the aggrieved nation, and giving aware of the advice which had been
promise of redress, to the extent at least given to the king, and of the measures
of refraining from the enforcement of the which were in contemplation. Orders
Book of Canons and Liturgy, and miti- had been given to seize Livingstone the
gating the despotic conduct of the High moment he arrived, and to throw him
Commission. About the same time, the into prison; but Haddington concealed
Covenanters, as they began to be desig- him, presented the supplication of the
nated, and as we may henceforth term  Covenanters, which was, however, rethem, sent a deputation to London, to turned unopened; and sent the messengive his majesty a faithful representation ger back to Scotland, with private inforof the real state of public matters, and of mation of the secret designs of the court.
the views and wishes of his oppressed The Covenanters lost no time in countersubjects.  The prelates were already in acting the dangerous policy recommendLondon; so that the representatives of all ed by the prelates.  Deputations were
parties in Scotland were at one time sent to those districts of the country where
within the precincts of the court, afford- the Covenant had been but partially
ing an opportunity to his majesty of ob- signed, and on the support of which the
taining full and accurate information of prelates mainly relied for the ultimate
the condition of the kingdom, had he triumph of their cause. These deputabeen disposed to seek it. But he had al- tions met with success beyond their most
ready listened to the partial statements of sanguine hopes.  In some of the seats of
the prelates, and formed his determina- learning, as at St. Andrews and Glasgow,
tion.  They, anxious to extenuate their the ministers and professors subscribed
own failure, had still represented the but partially; but even in these towns,
Covenanters as weak in station, influence, the magistrates, burgesses, and citizens
and numbers, and, however violent in joined their countrymen almost univertheir procedure, forming but a small fac- sally. Even in the Highlands the Covtion in the kingdom. They had sug- enant was welcomed with perfectly amazgested that the north was steady to his ing cordiality. Clans that rarely met
majesty's interest; and that the south but in hostile strife, and, if they did so
was so divided, that if the powerful fami- meet, never parted without exchanging
lies of Hamilton, Douglas, Nithsdale, and blows, met like brothers, subscribed the
some others, should raise their forces, bond of national union, and parted in
and form a junction with Huntly and the peace and love.  Nowhere was this unHighland chiefs, the Covenanters might wonted but most lovely sight more sigbe easily overpowered, and the whole nally displayed than at Inverness. There
kingdom brought into complete subjec- the fierce feuds of ages melted and disaption to his commands.*  Such were the peared beneath the warming and renewcounsels of the prelates, who seem to have ing power of that Divine influence which
Baillie, vol. i.. pp. 70,71.  so strongly and brightly shone around




A. D. 1637.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   159
he Covenant, as the snows melt from  where the prelates had assured him it
their native mountains, when the summer would be indignantly rejected. This rensun is high in the smiling heavens.  dered the prelatic cry for war a more
Thus did her sacred Covenant first doubtful question; especially as the Enmake Scotland truly a nation, melting glish nobility concurred in recommendand fusing into one united mass the het- ing peace, being better aware of the
erogeneous and jarring elements which wide-sprtad discontent existing in that
had previously lain partially compacted kingdom also, than was its blindly-obstitogether in space, but uncombined, and nate sovereign.
mutually repelling and repelled.  Then,  Perceiving that he must. for the prestoo, was seen a portion of the good which ent abandon his warlike designs, the next
God brings out of what man intends for care of the king was to engage the Covevil; for then was seen some of the fruits enanters in negociations, partly in the
of the zealous and faithful labours, among hope of dividing them, and partly to gain
these warm-hearted Highlanders, of the time till he might muster power enough
pious ministers who had been from time forcibly to overwhelm them. He resolved,
to time torn away from their own con- therefore, to appoint a commissioner to
gregations; and banished to the remote treat with his Scottish subjects, to hear
regions of the north, there in tears to sow their grievances, and, if he could not
a seed which was now springing up in flatter and delude them into submission,
gladness. James and the prelates had at least to lull them into security, or wear
sent Bruce, and Dickson, and Ruther- them out by procrastination. The choice
ford, and others, to Inverness, Aberdeen, of a person to undertake this difficult task
and other Highland districts, as if to show  was a matter of vital importance, as its
the inhabitants what true religion was, success would greatly depend upon his
and thus to prepare them for the Cove- skilful' management. At last the Marnant, although they did not mean it so. quis of Hamilton was appointed lord high
But such has often been the mysterious commissioner, and intrusted with the hazcourse of all-wise Providence, to pour ardous and disreputable enterprise of atcontempt upon the wicked desires of un- tempting to deceive or overawe a nation
godly men, overruling their machination, famed for courage and sagacity, and now
and causing them to promote the very doubly vigilant and thoroughly united.
cause which they are seeking to destroy. Aware of the perilous nature of the task,
Meanwhile the king was busily en- Hamilton would willingly have declined
gaged in concerting his schemes; and it; but the king would take no denial,
for a time it seemed as if he were truly and he was obliged to prepare to meet it
desirous to learn the real state of matters as he might. For this reason he strove
before he should come to a final determi- to secure himself against the possible
nation. He sent orders to the Earl of consequences of the dark intrigues in
Traquair, Roxburgh, and Lorn, to repair which he must be involved; and knowto London without delay; and he re- ing well the character of those who were
quired from the most eminent Scottish urging the king to the adoption of hostile
lawyers a legal opinion whether the con- measures, one of Hamilton's first steps
duct of the Covenanters were not treason- was to secure the absence from the court
able. Sir Thomas Hope, then Lord Ad- of all the Scottish courtiers, and espevocate, and two other distinguished law- cially of the prelates. After he had seen
yers, gave their opinion, that there was them all sent off he left London himself;
nothing decidedly illegal in the proceed- but not thinking his protection yet suffiings of the Covenanters.  Lord Lorn ciently secure, he delayed his journey at
also spoke very strongly in defence of Berwick, and remained there till he had
these injured and calumniated men; and procured from the king private instruclaid before his majesty a full account of tions, ample powers, and a secret pardon
the actual state of the country. About for whatever he might say or do in the
the same time the king received the un- matter, which might be represented by
welcome intelligence that the Covenant his enemies as contrary to the king's inhad been received with enthusiastic de- tentions.
Iight, even in those parts of the country  In that strange specimen of state diplo



160             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI,
macy, the real intentions of the king are unity of heart, mind, and effort, which
revealed, and are enough to cause any was essential to their safety.
man of common honesty to blush for     On the 10th of May the king sent to
shame. It states, that Hamilton was ex- the Scottish privy council intimation of
pected, and even required, to enter into his commission to the Marquis of Hamil.
the most intimate intercourse with the ton, requiring them all to meet his Grace
Covenanters, —to pretend friendship and at Dalkeith on the 6th of June, to render
compassion,-and to throw them off their him all due honour, and to support him
guard and detect their schemes, that he in the discharge of his high trust.  The
might the more easily circumvent and Covenanters, on their part, sent informaoverpower them.   "For which end," tion of the approaching negociations to
says his majesty, " you will be necessi- all their supporters, requiring them to
tated to speak that language which, if come to Edinburgh in such numbers as
you were called to account for by us, you should protect them from any meditated
might suffer for it. These are therefore hostile attempt. And still placing their
to assure you, and, if need be, hereafter trust in the Divine guidance and support,
to testify to others, that whatsoever ye a general fast was appointed to be held
shall say to them to discover their inten- on the 3d of June, to humble-themselves
tions, ye shall neither be called in ques- before God, and to supplicate his protection for the same, nor yet it prove in any tion. The fast was kept in the most solway prejudicial to you."*  It may be emn and impressive manner, and had a
hoped that a high-minded nobleman, powerful effect in preparing the kingdom
such as Hamilton, would feel it indeed a for the approaching struggle, enabling
degrading  and  irksome employment, them to keep their position on ground
when thus required to act the part of a avowedly sacred. At the same time, the
spy and a deceiver; and when courtly Covenanters, whose councils were still
and prelatic historians assail the Cove- guided by the Tables, resolved that they
nanters in the language of vituperation would not attend the commissioner at
and reproach, they may be reminded that Dalkeith, but would remain in a united
the whole conduct of Charles was a body at Edinburgh, and by that means
tissue of despotism and treachery, fatal avoid the danger of being divided by the
to his character and ruinous to his cause. subtle insinuations of their crafty oppoThe Covenanters received warning of nents. Having received information that
the secret intentions of the king, and of the king meant to subdue them by force,
the real object of Hamilton's commission; they judged it expedient to prevent that
but though thus aware of the treacherous force from being concentrated in the heart
devices to be put in motion against them, of the country; and therefore placed a
they resolved to act as became their sa- guard on the Castle of Edinburgh, that
cred cause, and, whilst guarding against it might not receive any large supplies of
deceit and guile, to make their own provisions and military stores.
course one of truth and rectitude. For  Hamilton at first refused to come to
this reason they drew up and promulga- Edinburgh, which was completely in the
ted two papers, of a public nature. The possession of the Covenanters; but after
one was sent to the nobles at court, stating some concessions had been made, he conplainly the articles required for the peace sented to make the Palace of Holyrood
of the Church and kingdom of Scotland, his residence. Accordingly it was conthat they might be aware what was de- certed that on the 19th of June the Marmanded, and be prepared to advise his quis of Hamilton should make his public
majesty accordingly.  The other con- entry into Edinburgh in state, as lord
tained a general statement of the plan of high commissioner from the king. The
procedure which would require to be Covenanters prepared to give him a statefollowed in the approaching negociations ly reception. Both parties agreed that
with the high commissioner; and was he should approach by Musselburgh
sent through the kingdom, to prevent di- along the level sea-line, —-. circuitous
vision of sentiment, and to secure that route, but one peculiarly adapted for disHardwicke'a State Papers, vol. ii. p. 141.  play.  All the nobles who had signed




A. D. 1638.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  161
the Covenant, gentry from all parts of the is perpetually over-reaching or betraying
kingdom, the magistrates of Edinburgh, itself, while unbending integrity of purall the ministers who had assembled in pose goes right onward to its aim, and,
the capital, and an immense multitude, having nothing to conceal, is in no dread
loosely calculated at about sixty thousand, of detection. We cannot afford space to
went out to meet the commissioner, and follow the contending parties through the
arranged themselves along the beach, shifts and changes of their varying negocovering the undulating outline with a tiations, but must confine ourselves to a
more numerous assemblage of people briefstatementofthe most important points
than had been seen in Scotland for centu- of the complicated proceedings of that
ries. As Hamilton rode slowly along eventful time.
the line of this vast mass of his collected  In an early interview which they obcountrymen, hearing on every side not tained, the Covenanters informed the comthe fierce battle-cry of armed men, nor missioner that all negotiations would
the giddy shouts of mere holiday rejoic- prove fruitless, unless he were empowers, but earnest and fervent prayers for ered to grant a free General Assembly,
the preservation of the liberties and reli- in which their complaints respecting the
gion of the country, he was deeply mov- innovations introduced by the prelates,
ed, and could not suppress tears of sym- and the conduct generally of those men,
pathy, declaring his strong desire that might be investigated, judged of, and, if
King Charles himself had been present proved  culpable, censured  and  conto witness a scene so affecting, and even demned according to their demerits,sublime. On a little eminence near the and a parliament, by which acts proved
end of this extended multitude, stood up- to be unconstitutional might be rescinded,
wards of five hundred ministers, wearing and redresses authoritatively and conclutheir cloaks and bands, and prepared to sively granted. Hamilton replied, that
address the commissioner; but when he he would answer their statements and recame to the place where they stood, he quests by a proclamation. They promptdeclined receiving their addresses in pub- ly gave him to know, that they would be
lie, bowed to them, and uttering a single in readiness to meet every proclamation
complimentary sentence, continued his with a distinct protest, to whatsoever ex
progress.                           tent it should fall short of the necessities
From what he had seen on that single of the case and the just demands of the
day, the commissioner must have learned nation. The commissioner seemed disthat the state of Scotland had been griev- posed to try the resolution of the Coveously misrepresented to his majesty; that nanters. He commanded preparations
there were not, in truth, two parties in to be made for issuing the proclamation;
the country, but on the one side a Presby- and the Covenanters made similar arterian nation, and on the other a prelatic rangements to meet it with their protest,
faction, contemptible in numbers, despica- the nobility and gentlemen mustering in
ble in character, and detested on account considerable numbers around their offiof their long career of treachery and des- cial representatives, each man with his
potism. But he knew that the king had sword loosened in its sheath, in readiness
placed himself at the head of that base to repel any sudden attack by the miliand weak faction, and was prepared, for tary attendants of the commissioner. Seetheir sakes, andto gratify his own arbitrary ing the determined front displayed by the
temper, to trample upon the dearest rights Covenanters, Hamilton changed his proand most sacred privileges of an entire cedure, abandoning the proclamation,
kingdom; and he was constrained to sup- and resuming the path of crooked and
press his generous sympathy, and to re- wily dissimulation.*
sume the course of heartless and tortuous  It is always more difficult for a cunpolicy with which he was commissioned. ning man to understand honesty, than
And now began the unequal contest for an honest man to detect craft. Hambetween diplomatic craft and the straight- ilton could not comprehend the designs of
forward honesty of honourable and reli- the Covenanters; but they could easily
gious men,-unequal, inasmuch as the see through his thin evasions. He now
wily dissimulation of designing craft'Baillie, Burnet, andStevenson.
21




162            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VI.
thought it expedient to offer them both an acteristically evasive. It promised that
Assembly and a Parliament, provided the Liturgy should not be pressed but in
they would abandon the Covenant. They a fair and legal way; that the High
answered, that they would as soon re- Commission should be rectified by the
nounce their baptism. And at the request aid of the privy council, so that it should
of the Tables, Henderson wrote an able not impugn the laws, nor be a just grievpaper, containing a clear and strong ance to loyal subjects; and that whatsostatement of the reasons why they could ever concerned the peace and welfare of
neither rescind nor alter in the slightest the Church should be taken into considdegree their sacred Covenant. Stillmore eration in a free Assembly and Parliacompletely to convince the commissioner ment, which should be called with his
of the futility of any such expectation, majesty's first convenience. The Covethey prepared a supplication, in which nanters had experienced his majesty's duthe request of a free General Assembly plicity too often to be deluded by so flimsy
and a Parliament was publicly and avow- a pretext. They met it therefore by a
edly stated as that without which they protestation, which had been previously
could not be satisfied; and at the same prepared for any sudden emergency, and
time they caused another paper to be ex- which this weak stratagem gave them a
tensively circulated, containing sugges- fair opportunity to publish. Hamilton
tions of the measures which it might be seems, nevertheless, to have imagined he
necessary to adopt, should the commis- had gained his point, and pressed the
sioner resort.to force, or protract the ne- privy council to ratify this declaration.
gotiations to an intolerable length. In Many consented; but the Covenanters
these suggestions a significant hint was having given to each member of council
given, that both a General Assembly and a paper containing reasons against its
a Parliament might possibly be called, ratification, they were induced by its pewithout the royal authority, if that were rusal to rescind the act of ratification.
much longer withheld; and also,.that if Rothes, Montrose, and Loudon obtained
violence were used for enforcing obedi- an interview with the commissioner himence, a committee might be chosen, to self, presented to him these reasons, and
consider what was fit and lawful to be urged upon him the necessity of a more
done for the defence of their religion, frank and conciliatory course. Hamilton,
laws, and liberties.                 irritated by his failure, replied to them
These bold and energetic measures in a haughty and dictatorial tone. This
startled the commissioner, and convinced drew from Loudon the bold declaration,
him that any longer continuation, of his that they knew no other bands between a
temporizing policy would be in vain, king and his subjects but those of religion
and that his majesty must either yield to and laws: if these were violated, men's
every one of the main points demanded lives were not dear to them. Overborne
by the Covenanters, or must prepare to by threatenings they would not be, for
subdue them by open force. And as his such fears were past with them.*  After
instructions did not enable him to proceed this abortive attempt, the Marquis of Hamto either of these alternatives, he deter- ilton left Scotland on the 8th of July, and
mined to return to London, give the king went to London for fresh instructions.
a full account of Scottish affairs, ascertain  During the course of these fruitless nethe state of the royal preparations for the gotiations the king maintained a constant
commencement of hostilities, and return intercourse by letters with the commisfilly empowered to act as necessities sioner; and it is painful to peruse these
might require. This was indeed the glaring proofs of the infatuated monarch's
only course which he could now pursue; disgraceful and perfidious dissimulation.
but even this was to be marred by double A few instances must be given, in proof
dealing. On one day he left town, and of this assertion, and in vindication of the
proceeded a few miles on his journey: on Covenanters. " I give you leave to flatthe next, supposing the Covenanters now ter them with what hopes you please;
off their guard, he hastily returned, and your chief end being now to win time,
proceeded to publish a declaration of his until I be ready to suppress them." —" I
majesty's intentions, plausible, but char-' Baflie, vol. i. p. W2.




A. D. 1638.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   163
have written this to no other end than to sages, had yet stood out against the Covshow you that I will rather die than yield enant, Henderson, Dickson, and some
to those impertinent and damnable de- others, were sent to try whether the
mands."-" I do not expect that you dreary darkness which brooded over that
should declare the adherers to the Cove- town and neighbourhood, might not be
nant traitors, until you have heard from  partially dispelled.  The deputation was
me that my fleet hath set sail for Scotland. at first but coldly welcomed; permission
In a word, gain time by all the honest to preach in the city churches was remeans you can, without forsaking your fused; and the doctors strove to engage
grounds."-" There be two things in them in a fruitless scholastic disputation.
your letter that require answer, to wit, But the deputation was composed of men
the answer to their petition. and concern- of energy and decision. They returned
ing the explanation of their damnable brief answers to the sophistic subtleties
Covenant." In anotherletter, after stating of their learned opponents; and since
how far his military preparations were in the churches were refused, they preached
readiness, and what was their amount, in the open air, explained the Covenant,
his majesty adds,-" Thus you may see and produced arguments for its subscripthat I intend not to yield to the demands tion. At the close of their addresses the
of those traitors.the Covenanters."*  All Covenant was produced for signature;
these and many similar instructions to the and that evening about five hundred recommissioner to prevaricate, to deceive, spectable citizens adhibited their names.
and to gain time, while the king was busy They then traversed the adjacent counlevying forces, collecting military stores, try; and within little more than a week,
preparing a fleet, and hiring foreign forty-four ministers, many gentlemen,
troops to suppress his faithful subjects by and a large proportion of the people,
this combination of treachery and power, signed the Covenant. Returning to Aberwere sent to the Marquis of Hamilton deen, they again preached where they
privately, while that nobleman was en- had done before, and obtained a considgaged in pacific negotiations with the erable number of additional adherents to
Covenanters.  History can scarcely fur- the sacred cause. Having thus, by the
nish an equal instance of a monarch's powerful demonstration of the Divine
faithlessness, dissimulation, and  fore- Spirit accompanying their exertions, sucthought despotism. Bolder tyranny the ceeded in pouring a stream of light and
world has often seen, but rarely any so life into those regions of previous gloomy
deliberately  dishonourable.  And  as stagnation, they returned to Edinburgh,
these private instructions to the commis- leaving in the town and vicinity of Abersioner were all to a considerable extent deen a power sufficient to prevent the
known to the Covenanters, it cannot ap- possibility of any great hostile combinapear strange tna: they received every pro- tion there.
posal with suspicion, and expressed dis-  The Marquis of Hamilton returned to
trus. of every declaration, how strong Holyrood-house on the 10th of August,
soever might be its asseveration, and to furnished, indeed, with ampler powers to
whatsoever extent it might wear the as- treat than before, but still enjoined to use
pect of sincerity.                   every diplomatic stratagem. One new
While the king and the marquis were artifice by which it was hoped the Coveusing every " honest means" to gain nanters might be divided, was the re-protime, the covenanters took care to lose mulgation of the Confession or Covenant
none. Aware that the king intended to of 1581. If this could be got numersend some forces to the north, to co-oper- ously signed, it might either neutralize
ate with those which Huntlv was ex- the Covenant recently produced, or so dipected to raise, they resolved to paralyze vide the nation as to enable his majesty
effectually that right arm of prelatic and to -balance one part of the kingdom
regal tyranny, during the breathing against another, and so to reduce both unspace allowed by the absence of the corn- der his power. But that which was first
missioner. And as Aberdeen, by the in- put in operation was a set of demands
fluence of Huntly and of its cloistered which Hamilton gave to the Tables, revBurnet', Memoirs of the Iiamiltons, pp. 46-68.  quiring written answers to them before




164             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              CHAP. VI,
he would consent to call an Assembly. the apostles. The reasons on which this
These demands were at first eleven in decisive resolution was base( were pubnumber, but subsequently were reduced lished in their own defence, and for the
to two; first, that no layman should have instruction of all their adherents, and are
voice in choosing the ministers to be sent still deserving of a thoughtful perusal by
from the presbyteries to the General As- every true Presbyterian.*
sembly, nor any but the ministers of the  Hamilton now felt that temporizing
same presbytery; the second, that the policy would no longer be endured, and
Assembly should not go about to deter- also that his anticipations of creating a
mine things established by act of parlia- disunion among the Covenanters were at
ment, otherwise than by remonstrance or an end. But their demand went beyond
petition to parliament. If Hamilton could his powers to grant, and was perilous to
have obtained the assent of the Covenant- refuse, lest a refusal should impel them
ers to these propositions, his victory over to put their purpose into immediate exethem would have been secure. By the cution. He requested, therefore, a delay
first, the ministers would have been di- of twenty days, that he might return to
vided from the laity, and left powerless the king, and obtain a final answer, promin the hands of their enemies; by the ising to be again in Scotland with his
second, all the innovations of James's majesty's ultimate decision before the
reign would have been confirmed, as 20th of September.   The Covenanters
they had all been ratified by parliament. consented to this delay, and employed
But although the leading Covenanters the intermediate time in sending instruceasily perceived the fatal character of tions to every presbytery how to proceed
these propositions, it was not so easy to in. the election of members for the apunite the whole body in returning proper proaching Assembly.  This was necesanswers. The first had nearly accom- sary, in consequence of the lengthened
plished the commissioner's insidious de- period which had elapsed since an Assign. Many of the ministers looked with sembly had been held at all, there havsome degree of jealousy upon the power ing been none since 1618; and as al
of the laymen, and would not have been the Assemblies since 1597 had been more
displeased to see that power diminished. or less corrupted by regal interference.
For that reason they were disposed to as- the proper course of procedure, in the
sent to the first proposition; while the calling of a free Assembly according to
other three Tables would by no means pure Presbyterian principles, had almost
comply with any such measure.    At sunk into oblivion. These instructions
length, chiefly by the skilful manage- were of the utmost importance, both in
ment of Henderson and Dickson, this guiding the proceedings of the Covedangerous discussion terminated in the nanters throughout the kingdom, and in
rejection of the commissioner's demands, furnishing them with information on toand in the restoration of that unanimity pics certain to come under discussion in
of sentiment and purpose among the Cov- the ensuing Assembly, with which many
enanters which constituted their strength. were at that time very little acquainted.
The danger thus encountered, and the Having taken these preliminary steps, the
re-union thus produced, both tended to Covenanters waited calmly the return of
point out to the Covenanters the path at the commissioner, and the ultimate anonce of duty and of safety. They now  swer of the king.
resolved to bring matters to a crisis, and  When the commissioner returned from
to compel the commissioner to abandon London, a deputation from the tables
his deceitful policy, by avowing their de- waited on him at Dalkeith, and were told
termination, that if the royal mandate in general terms that his majesty had
were further delayed, they would call a granted all their requests, but that the
General Assembly, on the sole authority particulars could not with propriety be
which every Christian Church must be divulged till they I ad been communicated
held intrinsically to possess, for the pur- to the privy council. The council met
pose of regulating all matters of worship the same day, when his majesty's letter
and discipline,'ccording to the instituand discipline, -ecording to the institu-  These reasons are to be seen in ttevelicna, edit. 18sw.
tions of the gospel, and the example of pp. 243, 246.




A. D. 1638.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   165
was produced, requiring them to sub- meet at Edinburgh on the 15th day of
scribe the Covenant or Confession of May 1639, for settling and confirming
1581, which, as it contained chiefly an peace in Church and State. The king's
abjuration of Popery, was often termed declaration was then publicly proclaimed,
the Negative Confession. The utmost in which his majesty prohibited the enefforts of Hamilton could not prevail upon forcement of the Book of Canons, the
more than about thirty of the council to Liturgy, and the Five Articles of Perth 
subscribe, and that not till a clause was abolished the Court of High Commisadded, declaring that the subscribers un- sion; declared all persons subject to the
derstood it according to its original mean- trial and censure of the competent judicaing, when, as the reader will recollect, tory; allowing free entrance into the
even tulchan Episcopacy had been con- ministry without the taking of any other
demned   and  abolished, presbyteries oath than that contained in the act of
erected, and the Second Book of Disci- parliament; granted a general pardon of
pline entered on the records of the As- all offences which had arisen out of the
sembly. Even thus explained, the com- recent contentions; appointed a fast to
missioner entertained some hope that it avert the Divine displeasure, and promight either cause division among the cure a peaceable end to the distractions
Covenanters, or at least produce a similar of the Church and kingdom; and recompact union of the royal and prelatic commended the subscription of the Conparty; and with this view he published fession and Covenant of 1581.
an act of council, calling upon all loyal  Had these terms been granted at the
subjects to subscribe the king's Covenant, beginning of the negotiations between the
with a general bond, resembling that of king and the Covenanters, they would
1589. Commissioners were appointed have given universal satisfaction, and,
to convey this rival Covenant through- been received with equal joy and gratiout the kingdom, and every artifice was tude. But after the many repeated inemployed to procure the utmost possible stances of tergiversation and insincerity
number of signatures. But the Presby- which had been detected, the Covenanterian Covenanters, perceiving clearly ters were compelled to regard every dethe intention of the commissioner, met claration of the king's with suspicion, and
the proclamation of the king's Covenant to look narrowly into every one of his
by a protestation and a warning against promises, lest it should contain some
the ensnaring tendency of this new de- evasive expression, by which it might be
vice;* and sent a deputation to every nullified, or even reversed. And unpresbytery, with a copy of the protesta- happily even this plausible declaration of
tion, and instructions how to act. So his majesty's sentiments did contain such
successful were these precautionary mea- neutralizing and evasive elements. It
sures, that the king's Covenant obtained was understood to subject the prelates to
no more than about twenty-eight thou- the trial and censure of the Assembly;
sand signatures, of which number twelve but it cited them to appear as constituent
thousand were procured in Aberdeen and members of that very court by which they
its vicinity by the strenuous exertions of were to be tried; and the urgency with
Huntly. This new stratagem had con- which the king pressed the subscription
sequently no other effect than that of of the Covenant of 1581, showed clearly
proving, even by an arithmetical demon- that he expected, by its instrumentality,
stration, the weakness of the prelatic to divide and conquer the Presbyterian
faction.                             Covenanters; besides that the bond conThe next step of the privy council was tained an insidious clause for the maintethe publication of two important acts,-  nance of religion "as at present prothe one calling a General Assembly to fessed,"-a clause manifestly susceptible
be held at Glasgow on the 21st of No- of such a construction as would convert
vember, and warning the bishops and it into one for the defence of Prelacy.
other commissioners of kirks to attend; The Presbyterians, therefore, resolved
he other summoning a parliament to that they would no longer submit to such
paltering in a double sense; that they
is a le document is pres ved by Steveson, pp.  take care to have the Assembly
2,56264.                             would take care to have the Assembly




166             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI.
framed and constituted according to the remain unrepealed, and now formed a
fundamental and imperishable principles leading element in the accusation against
of the Presbyterian Church; and that the prelatic party, by whom every one of
the prelates should be tried and censured them had been repeatedly violated. The
according to their demerits, and Prelacy prelates were accordingly charged colitself entirely abolished, so that their Na- lectively with having transgressed these
tional Church might be delivered from caveats, usurped a lordly supremacy
bondage and oppression, and established over the Church, taught heretical and
once more on a basis which no law can, false doctrines, and, personally, with
give, and ought not to attempt removing, having been guilty of irreligious conduct,
-the warm affections of an intelligent, and the perpetration of the grossest imtruly loyal, and earnestly religious people. moralities, which were distinctly specified
Great anxiety was felt by all parties, in according to each individual case. The
the interval between the calling and the accusations were sent to each of the premeeting of this most important General lates, and also to all the presbyteries,
Assembly. Notwithstanding the artifices where they were directed to be read pubof the commissioner, and the exertions of licly in every church.
the prelatic party, the Covenanters were  The prelates prepared an elaborate deeminently successful in securing the re- fence, bearing the general form of a deturn of the most able and faithful of the clinature of the Assembly's jurisdiction,
ministers as commissioners, and the most with their reasons for that line of procezealous and influential of the nobility and dure; which were said to have been sent
gentry as ruling elders; so that before to court, and revised by the sovereign's
the Assembly met they were assured of own hand. All being now nearly prejts freedom and integrity, so far as de- pared, and the time at hand, the commispended upon the majority of its members. sioner made his last attempt to interfere
The mode in which they were to proceed with the construction of the Assembly,
against the prelates was a matter which by endeavouring to bring as many of the
required much and careful deliberation. members as possible under such legal
The Earl of Rothes, and some other lead- processes as might incapacitate them from
ing men of the Tables, petitioned the com- taking their seat.  This was instantly
missioner for a warrant to command the met by a remonstrance so strong, pointed,
prelates to appear before the Assembly to and resolute, that Hamilton felt the inexstand trial for the offences charged against pediency, and even danger, of carrying
them; but this he refused to grant. The this last scheme into effect.
Covenanters were not, however, to be   The only remaining part of the prethus defeated in a point of such vital mo- parations made by both parties is one
ment. It was arranged that a complaint which scarcely falls within our province
should be prepared in form of a libel or to relate, as being more of a civil, or raregular accusation, to be laid before the ther military, than of an ecclesiastical
Assembly by a considerable body of the character. Allusion has already been
nobility, gentry, burgesses, and ministers, made to the large naval and military
who were not members of that court. armaments in preparation by the king.
The accusation embraced both their offi- These were vigorously prosecuted by his
cial and personal delinquencies.  The majesty, in the midst of all his pacific defirst part of the charge referred to the clarations; and as this was well known
"caveats" or cautions passed in the As- to the Covenanters, they began to consisembly 1600, and ratified by King James, der themselves entitled to prepare for the
the ostensible object of which was to defence of their civil and religious liberguard against the abuse of their powers ties, so manifestly endangered.  With
by the prelates and commissioners of the this view, arms, ammunition, and proviChurch, at that time introduced to parlia- sions were quietly collected by the noment; but the real intention having been bility and many of the towns; and Geneto delude the Church by the semblance ral Leslie, a veteran officer of great skill
of a security which could be easily bro- and courage, who had served long under
ken through or set aside.  These ca- Gustavus, king of Sweden, was called
veats, however, had been allowed to home to take command of the army, if




A. D. 1638.]       HISTORY OF THE CRURCH OF SCOTLAND.                167
they should finally be compelled to rise have. seen to be equally ungracious and
in self-defence.                     desperate.
The Marquis of Hamilton was well     The Assembly had been indicted to
aware that the crisis could no longer be meet on the Wednesday; and the three
retarded; but how best to meet it cost intervening days were spent in making
him many an anxious thought. Gladly preliminary arrangements, and   cspewould he have prorogued the meeting of cially, on the part of the Covenanters, in
Assembly, but that he was aware that the humbling themselves before God, and
Covenanters had determined to hold it, imploring his direction and  support
even though he should attempt its proro- through the arduous duties in which they
gation.  He resolved, therefore, at last to were about to engage, and for the right
allow it to be held according to the pro- discharge of which they felt their own
clarnation already issued, and to do his wisdom to be indeed utterly insufficient.
utmost to bias, control, or overawe it, so And it ought to be carefully remarked,
as to prevent, if possible, the condemna- for the instruction of all succeeding ages,
tion of the prelates; and should all his that during the whole course of their neefforts prove ineffectual, he would dissolve gotiations and deliberations, humble acit, with this advantage, that time had been knowledgments of their own folly and
gained, and his majesty's preparations for weakness, earnest prayer to God, and
actual war would be in a state of greater strong faith in his heavenly guidance,
forwardness.                         were always the master elements by
On the Friday before the meeting of which their actions were guided and
Assembly, the Covenanters, both those their hopes upheld.
who were members of Assembly and       On Wednesday the 21st of November
those who were their friends and sup- 1638, the General Assembly met, and
porters, came in great crowds to Glas- commenced the discharge of its all-im:
gow; and on the next day the commis- portant duties. We cannot afford space
sioner and his friends entered town from  to give more than the briefest outline of
Hamilton, and were met with much ap- its proceedings; which, however, is the
pearance of respectful and stately courtesy less to be regretted, since the very fact of
by the Presbyterian chiefs.  The mar- their extreme importance has caused them
quis had then another opportunity of see- to be very fully recorded by many authors
ing how completely the cause which he whose works are in general circulation.*
was commissioned to circumvent or op- Both parties, the commissioner and the
press was the cause of the Scottish nation. Covenanters, acted warily, yet firmly,
Little more than a year had elapsed from  from the very first hour on which the
the time when four humble petitioners Assembly met. They were equally well
met at the door of the privy council, to aware, that a false movement on either
supplicate for protection against the op- side would give to the antagonist an adpressive conduct of the prelates; and now  vantage which it might not be possible to
his majesty's lord high.ommissioner be- counteract; and, like two contending
held arrayed against these men,or rather armies led by skilful generals, they
against that abjured system, the irresisti- watched each other's operations with
ble might of all the physical, mental, deep,calm, forecasting prudence, cool remoral, and religious strength of a united solution, and deliberate energy.  The
people. We may imagine how his heart choice of a moderator was to the Assemmust have sunk within him when he bly, in such a juncture, a matter of great
contemplated tne task imposed upon him  moment, but not of doubt, except on one
by his infatuated sovereign,-the task of account. Alexander Henderson was unideluding or coercing his sagacious and versally admitted to be beyond all comhigh-minded countrymen, and of tram- petition the fittest man, for knowledge,
pling in the dust those civil and religious gravity, self-command, and soundness of
liberties which were to them dearer than judgment; but they dreaded to lose his
life itself, —a task which no foreign ability in debate by placing him in the
power had been ever able by its utmost.  evenson,     eerkin Recor
efforts to achieve and which he must of thSe Killk oe. Scotlandson, &c.urne, Peterkin' Record
efforts to achieve, and which he must of theKirkofScotland,&c.,&c.




168             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI.
moderator's chair.  Yet the necessity of Assembly by Dr. Hamilton of Glassford,
having at their head a man who could who appeared as their procurator. Aninboth direct their own deliberations and stantaneous effect took place, which they
defend them to the commissioner with appeared not to have foreseen. The Cov
courtesy and firmness, overruled all other enanters took instruments, that by this ve
considerations, and he was unanimously ry declinature the prelates had acknowchosen to occupy that post of honour, ledged their citation, had appeared by
toil, and danger.                    their procurator, and that therefore, their
The commissioner wished to have had personal absence was wilful. Dr. Hamilton
the commissions of the members scruti- was accordingly cited apud acta, and they
nized before the choice of a moderator; were recognised as at the bar of the Asbut this the Assembly very properly re- sembly. A committee was then appointsisted, as without a moderator their pro- ed to answer the declinature; and when
ceeding would have been informal and the marquis protested against this proceinvalid. Again, the regular course of dure, a counter protest was immediately
proceedings was interrupted by a propo- produced.  The next was the seventh
sal fiom his grace to have the declinature day of the Assembly's meeting; and
of the prelates read, before the Assembly both parties were conscious, that upon
had been duly constituted; but this, too, the events of this day would depend the
was rejected on the same general princi- issue of their long and arduous struggle.
pie. Yet once more did Hamilton at- A slight preliminary skirmish engaged
tempt to vitiate the court, by demanding their attention on the early part of the
six assessors with him, to take part in the day.  This was caused by the Assembdeliberations, and to vote on all questions; ly's committee pronouncing their opinion
and still the Assembly kept its position, that the five books which had been proand would enter on no public business duced, purporting to be the records of the
till a moderator of their own choice had Church from the time of the Reformabeen formally placed in the chair.  The tion, were genuine and authentic. This
marquis at length gave way, protesting, the lord high commissioner opposed, well
meanwhile, against the decision of the knowing that if these records were susAssembly on each of these points, and tained as authentic and authoratative, they
being met by counter protestations; and, would furnish principles, regulations, and
as above related, the Assembly chose for precedents amply sufficient to justify the
its moderator, Alexander Henderson. condemnation of the prelates.  But the
The choice of a clerk caused a new strug- Assembly, deeply grateful to that divine
gle; but again the Covenanters prevailed, Providence which had signally preservand Archibald Johnston was placed in ed these records, aud caused their restothat office.                         ration to the Church in such a momenThe contest still continued, and on what tous crisis of its history, received these
appeared mere matters of arrangement. precious volumes gladly, and gave to
The declinature of the prelates was now  them the stamp of unanimous approbabrought forward by the commissioner, tion. The answers to the declinature of
and requested to be read before proceed- the prelates were then read, and approving with the trial of the commissions of ed of by the Assembly, although Dr.
members; but as this paper contained a Balcanquhal, the commissoner's clerical
protestation against the whole members, adviser, attempted to lead the discussion
and would have borne the aspect of a dis- away from the matter in hand, and to inqualification of them all, the Assembly re- volve them in scholastic subtleties. The
fused to hear the declinature till the com- moderator now put the question to the Asmissions had been all tried, that the court sembly whether they found themselves
might be placed in a state of valid integri- competent to sit in judgment on the case of
ty before hearing a paper on the contents the prelates, notwithstanding their decliof which it must pass judgment.      nature. The commissioner immediately
These preliminary points having been declared, that he could not permit the Asthus arranged, the decisive movement sembly to persevere in this course of procould no longer be delayed. The declina- cedure, so contrary to the express intenture of the prelates was presented to the tions of his majesty. Ile complained that




A. D. 1638.]    H-STORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   169
the Assembly was vitiated by the intro- the sacred principles of spiritual and eterduction of what he termed lay elders, and nal truth. Several other eminent memby undue influence used in the election bers of this great Assembly spoke, and
of members; and he required the Assem- all in a similar spirit of Christian faith
bly to dissolve, promising to procure from  and Christian fearlessness. At this mothe king authority for the meeting of an- ment of deep and wide-spread emotion, an
other, in which all such eVils might be incident occurred, simple in itself, yet
avoided. Against this Henderson,Rothes, rising into the region of true moral suband Loudon reasoned and protested, ex- limity. Lord Erskine, son of the Earl
pressing at the same time their deep re- of Mar, a young nobleman of high chargret if his grace should forsake the As- acter and distinguished talents. rose from
sembly, but their determination to con- the gallery where he was seated among
tinue its sittings till it should have accom- the youthful nobility, and requested perplished those important duties for the dis- mission to address the Assembly. He
charge of which it had been called. The then declared, while the starting tears atcommissioner put an end to the discussion tested the sincerity of his declaration, that
by saying, " I stand to the king's prerog- he had hitherto abstained from subscribative, as supreme judge over all causes ing the Covenant, against the light and
civil and ecclesiastical: to him the Lords the conviction of his own conscience;
of the clergy have appealed, and therefore begged that he might now be allowed to
I will not suffer their cause to be further affix his name to that sacred bond; and
reasoned here."  This he uttered with implored the Assembly to pray that his
great apparent emotion, even with tears, sin in resisting the call of duty might be
in which he was joined by many, who forgiven him. Several others followed
thought they saw in his departure the the example of this noble youth; so that,
final dispelling of all their hopes of a pa- at the very moment when the frowns of
cific settlement to those troubles by which royal wrath were darkening over the Asthe Church and the kingdom had been sembly, the light of God's favour shone
so long afflicted and oppressed.     upon it, and the impelling power of the
The Marquis of Argyle (the same no- Spirit of truth, in answer to their earnest
bleman hitherto designated Lord Lorn, prayers, sent to the rescue the glowing
but who had succeeded to the higher title energies of ingenuous youth, like a fresh
by the recent death of his father) attempted stream  of new life pouring its warm
to avert or delay the crisis, by introduc- might into the sacred bosom of Scotland's
ing a discussion respecting the two ap- reviving Church.
parently conflicting Covenants; but Ham-  The moderator, availing himself of
ilton waived the subject, and called on the this encouraging event, put the question,
moderator to dissolve the meeting by Whether the Assembly would adhere to
prayer. This Henderson refused to do; theprotestationagainst the commissioner's
upon which the commissioner protested departure, and continue together till they
in his majesty's name against whatever should have concluded the important busimight be done by the Assembly, declared ness on account of which they had met?
it dissolved by the same authority, and This was carried almost unanimously;
prohibited all further proceedings. The there being only three or four opposing
Earl of Rothes immediately produced a votes. The next question was, Whether
protestation against the departure of the the Assembly found themselves compecommissioner, and his attempt to dissolve tent judges of the prelates and their adthe meeting in this summary manner, herents, notwithstanding their declinawhile its most important duties were still tures and protestation; and this also was
unfulfilled.  Argyle remained after the unanimouslycarried in the affirmative, or,
commissioner retired, and thus gave his if not unanimously, with only three or
countenance to the Assembly in this hour four dissentient voices.
of peril. Nothing daunted or confused  The struggle was now at an end; and
by what had taken place, Henderson ad- the Assembly proceeded regularly and
dressed the Assembly in a very noble calmly forward to the completion of its
speech, full of the calm magnanimity of remaining business. Next day the Marthe Christian character, and instinct with quis of Hamilton issued a proclamation,
22




170             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VI.
commanding the Assembly to dissolve; thus condemned and abolished, the next
which was, as usual, met by a protesta- step naturally was the passing of an act
tion, and no further notice was taken of restoring to kirk-sessions, presbyteries,
the matter.  The remaining deeds of the synods, and General Assemblies, the full
Assembly may be stated in a few senten- enjoyment of those constitutional privices. An act was passed, annulling all leges, liberties, powers, and jurisdictions,
the corrupt Assemblies by which Prelacy according to the Book of Discipline, of
had been introduced,-those, namely, of which they had been deprived by prelatic
the years 1606, 1608, 1610, 1616, 1617, usurpation. In completing the restoration
and 1618. As a necessary consequence, of the Presbyterian Church, the Assemall the innovations and changes made by bly did not forget certain points which at
these Assemblies were declared illegal, such a time might have seemed of comand allthe obligations imposed on ministers paratively minor importance. The prinby their authority pronounced no longer ciple that no person be intruded into any
binding. An act was passed, condemn- parish contrary to the will of the congreing the Five Articles of Perth, the Book gation, was re-enacted; and presbyteries
of Canons, the Liturgy, and the Book of were directed to see that schools were
Ordination, as introduced without war- provided in every landward parish, and
rant of either civil or ecclesiastical autho- such support secured to schoolmasters as
rity; and the Court of High Commission should render education easily accessible
also, as having neither act of Assembly to the whole population of the kingdom.
nor of Parliament in its support, and re- Many other beneficial enactments were
gulated by no law, human or divine. made, which our limits will not permit
Then directing their attention to the de- us to enumerate.
ceptive use which had been attempted to  At length, on Thursday the 20th of
be made of the Confession or Covenant December, this great and truly noble
of 1581, it was clearly proved from the General Assembly having brought all
language of acts of Assembly before and these important matters to a satisfactory
at that time, that diocesan Episcopacy conclusion, prepared to close its labours.
had been and was then abjured and con- The next Assembly was appointed to
demned by the Church; and upon this meet at Edinburgh on the third Wednesdemonstration the Assembly passed an day of July, 1639, in virtue of its own
act, declaring, "that all Episcopacy dif- intrinsic powers, whether it should be
ferent from that of a pastor over a parti- called by his majesty or not; with this
cular flock was abjured in this Kirk, and reservation, that if the king should of his
is to be removed out of it."  Baillie in- own accord call a meeting of the Assemforms us, that he was himself the only bly on a different day, they should with
person who hesitated to vote for this mo- all diligence and respect attend the time
tion; and that his hesitation went no fur- and place of his majesty's appointment.
ther than to give a brief explanation of Several grave addresses and admonitions
his views.*  This trial of the prelates were then delivered by the moderator and
had been prosecuted for many days with other venerable menbers-; and after
great care and deliberation; and all the prayer, praise and the apostolical beneaccusations having been fully proved, the diction, Henderson pronounced the Asmoderator was appointed to pronounce sembly concluded, adding these remarkthe sentence of Assembly.  This he did, able words, " We have now cast down
after having preached a sermon suitable the walls of Jeiricho. Let him that reto the occasion, in what Ballie terms, "a buildeth them beware of the curse of Hil
very grave and dreadful manner." Eight the Bethelite."
were deposed and excommunicated; four   We have traced with some minuteness,
merely deposed; and two deposed from  and with feelings of deep veneration and
the prelatic station, but allowed to offici- gratitude, the proceedings of this everate as pastors of single congregations. memorable General Assembly.  And
Diocesan Episcopacy, or rather Prelacy when our readers mark with what calm(as we have all along preferred to term  ness, prudence, solemnity, and earnestit, as its proper designation), having been ness of devotional feeling its whole proBaillie, vol. i. p. 158.   ceedings were conducted,-how much




A. D. 1638.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    171
patience, in the midst of innumerable into dark imprisoned torpor by the king
attempts to retard, violate or disturb its himself, who wished to substitute a frame
progress,-how little of vindictive spirit of church government and discipline of
against the prelates from whom many of an entirely different and uncongenial nathe members had sustained great personal ture. But though thus repressed, and apinjury,-how steadily they maintained parently dormant, these principles were
the principles of loyalty to a monarch by not extinct. They formed the hidden life
whom, at the same time, they had too of Scotland still; awaiting but the time
much reason to believe they were both when the Divine Spirit, by whom they
hatred and betrayed, willing to regard had been breathed into the nation, should
him as deceived, and not intentionally again revive, awaken and call them forth,
tyrannical,-how  generously, in the and the hand of Providence should rend
midst of all their harassing anxieties, asunder the fettering cerements within
they directed their attention to the wants which they had been starkly swathed,
and the welfare of the whole population and bid them live and act anew. In the
of their beloved native land, securing, to second Reformation there was not one
the utmost of their power, to the poor principle called into action which had
man those inestimable blessings, the free not been either in active operation, or at
and pure preaching of the Gospel, and least distinctly stated, in the first. Nor
the education of his children,-and, above was there a single step taken for which
all, how nobly, fearlessly, and piously, there could not be shown both a preceScotland's National Church vindicated dent in the previous history of the Presthe sole sovereignty of the Lord Jesus byterian Church of Scotland, and a direct
Christ, her only and Divine Head and authority from Scripture. And even in
King,-it must, we think, be humbly and those parts of their proceedings which to
gratefully owned, that much of the pres- some have appeared most questionable,
ence and the power of the Spirit of wis- such as continuing to sit notwithstanding
dom, peace and truth, was there; and the departure of the commissioner, and
that a glory, sacred and imperishable, the deposition and excommunication of
must ever rest on the memory of that ven- the prelatic party, their conduct will be
erable General Assembly whom    God found, when fairly examined, to have
honoured to accomplish Scotland's SEC- been altogether beyond the reach of cenOND REFORMATION.                     sure,-nay, deserving of the highest apIt would be inexpedient to interrupt the probation. To the king, in all civil matprogress of the narrative by any pro- ters, they rendered the most implicit obetracted disquisitions; but we trust we dience; while they calmly but resolutely
may be forgiven for directing the atten- refused to yield him that obedience in retion of the reader to one or twoimportant ligious matters, which could not have
lines of thought. The whole proceed- been granted without violating their alleings of the Assembly of 1638 present the giance to Christ, as the only Head and
most signal illustration that could be con- King of the Church. At the same time
ceivedof one of our introductory remarks, they most pointedly not only admitted
namely, the re-appearance at peculiar the right, but asserted the duty, of a
junctures, of those great principles which Christian sovereign to defend the liberconstitute the moral and religious life of ties and maintain the purity of a Christian
a nation, although they may have been Church. They clearly distinguished befor a time so much obscured and over- tween his power in the Church, as a
borne, that a superficial observer might member of it and nothing more, and his
have thought them sunk into entire and power to regulate external arrangements,
perpetual oblivion.                  and enact and enforce national laws, conThe great principles of the Reforma- cerning the Church, as a Christian king,
tion had pierced into the very core of bound by his own solemn oaths to be a
Scotland's heart, and had there deposited nursing father to the Church, to protect
their vital energies; but their growing and cherish it, and by that means, and
development had been at first obstructed through  its unfettered instrumentality,
by the selfishness and rapacity of the no- best to promote the moral and religious
bles, and subsequently fettered and cast welfare of the kingdom. And in the de



172            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI
position and excommunication of the pre- peace to be deterred from prosecuting
latic party, nothing was done but what their loyal and pacific course by one unwas in direct accordance with many acts gracious refusal; and they accordingly
ooth of Assembly and of Parliament; determined to send their supplication to
and, what is of infinitely greater impor- his majesty himself, by one of their own
tance, all was founded on the explicit au- body, however perilous the enterprise.
thority of the Word of God. Before a The supplication was couched in the most
single prelate was deposed or excommu- dutiful and submissive language, putting
nicated, he was proved, by incontrover- it in the king's power to come to an amitible evidence, to have been guilty of cable arrangement with his faithful subfalse doctrine, of introducing popish cere- jects, not only without submitting to any
monies, of attempts to subvert the church humiliating conditions, but with ample
government and discipline which he had security to his honour and dignity. A litsworn to maintain, of tyrannical viola- tie, a very little, more judgment and less
tions of national laws, and of such gross passion on the part of his majesty might
personal crimes and immoralities as ren- even then have put an end to all existing
dered him utterly unworthy to hold any contentions, and prevented the subsequent
office in a Christian Church. Even then, miseries and sufferings both of the nation
so tenderly were those abandoned men and of the ill-starred monarch.  Mr.
treated, that a regular form of procedure George Winram of Liberton undertook
was appointed for their expression of pen- the hazardous duty of carrying the supitence and restoration to the Church, as plication to London, and of attempting to
members and ministers, should they be have it presented to the king, although
moved to repentance, and seek to be re- aware that his life would be endangered
stored. Pride is not a sentiment which by the unwelcome mission. His majesty
any human being ought ever to cherish, thought proper to permit it to be read to
and therefore we dare not say that Scot- him by the Marquis of Hamilton; but
land has reason to be proud of the great the only answer he returned was by utmen who composed that Assembly and tering, in a tone between indignation and
conducted its proceedings; but we will mockery, the Scottish proverb, " When
say, that every true Presbyterian must they have broken my head, they will put
ever hold them in the highest esteem and on my coul." The supplication was preveneration, while with humble gratitude sented on the 15th of January; and alwe adore the gracious and merciful Re- though Winram waited till the middle of
deemer, who shed down on them so March, he could obtain no other answer;
abundantly the promise of the Father, but his presence in London so long enathe Holy Spirit, enlightening, guiding, bled him to transmit to Scotland valuable
and supporting them in their truly glori- information respecting the king's designs
ous defence of the unalienable preroga- and preparations.
tives of his spiritual kingdom.        As the displeasure of the king was so
[1639.] The Covenanters had now   great, so his preparations for war were
completely taken their ground, from on a scale so extensive as to indicate
which they well knew that they could clearly that he intended nothing less than
not retreat; but they were anxious to the complete subjugation of the kingdom.
avoid hostilities if possible. For this rea- His majesty's plan was, to levy an army
son, several of their leading men waited of thirty thousand infantry and six thouon the Marquis of Hamilton, before his sand cavalry; to put strong garrisons in
departure from Edinburgh, to entreat his Berwick and Carlisle; to send a division
friendly mediation with the king. Ham- of five thousand men to Aberdeenshire
ilton was too well acquainted with his to form a junction with the Marquis of
majesty's sentiments and intentions to an- Huntly, who might either divide the
ticipate any favourable result; and there- Covenanters, or operate on their rear;
fore not only refused to undertake the to send a strong fleet under the Marquis
task of attempting to mitigate the king's of Hamilton to the Frith of Forth, for
resentment, but replied to the Covenant- the purpose of blockading the harbours,
ers in terms of reproach and threatening. intercepting supplies of arns and ammuBut they were too earnestly desirous of nition, and spreading alarm along the




A. D. 1639.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   173
coasts of Fife and Lothian; and having being revised by Charles himself, was
completed these arrangements, to place published as a royal manifesto, and is
himself at the head of his main army, known by the title of "L The Large Deand advance into Scotland in such force claration."  A proclamation was about
as to bear down all opposition. To corn- the same time published by the king, of
plete the scheme, the Earl of Antrim the same purport, which was also speedily
was to raise at least ten thousand men, answered by the Covenanters; and the
and invade Argyleshire; and the Earl answer was perused with great attention
of Stiaford was to take the command of and considerable sympathy in England.
a naval armament, and with it to sail up  Having thus done every thing in their
the Frith of Clyde, to rouse and encour- power to prove the goodness of their
age the Marquis of Hamilton's adher- cause and their own earnest desire of
ents, and to sweep the seas and devastate peace, the Covenanters proceeded to dethe shores of the west of Scotland.* To liberate concerning the propriety of even
meet the heavy expenditure of such ex- a defensive war. Considerable numbers
tensive preparations, the king resorted to of them entertained the opinion, that rethe natural but unconstitutional process sistance to the civil magistrate was unof procuring supplies of money from the lawful for Christians, how despotic and
private resources of those who approved oppressive soever might be his couduct.
of the object for which war was to be And so far as suffering the penalties of
waged; and, as was to be expected, the even an unjust and tyrannical law
English bishops contributed liberally for was involved in the question, the majorithe support of this hierarchical war.  ty would have submitted, with no other
Nor were the Covenanters blind to kinds of opposition than those of remontheir perilous condition. However re- strances and supplications, though there
luctant to resort to even a defensive war, were others who held bolder opinions on
they felt it to be their duty to put them- that subject. But all were compelled to
selves into the best state for either defend- perceive that the king had much more
ing their civil and religious liberties, like in view than to allow them even the hard
men who knew their value, or at least ex- alternative of obedience or punishment,
hibiting such a resolute and imposing which in matters distinctly religious
front as should induce his majesty to must always subject men to penalties, till
grant favourable terms rather than haz- the civil magistrate can be prevailed on
ard an encounter where victory was un- to relax his requirements.  The intencertain and defeat would be ruinous. But tion of his majesty, it was easily seen,
as it was in their estimation a matter of was positively, to compel them to adopt
the utmost importance to clear their pro- all those changes in religious worship
ceedings from the imputation of rebellion which he might think proper to introso pertinaciously charged upon them by duce, and to prohibit absolutely and untheir enemies, they published an "In- conditionally those modes of worship
formation to all good Christians within which they believed to be most accordant
the kingdom of England," vindicating with the Word and will of God. The
their past conduct and their present in- alternative was not obedience, or the fortentions from the calumnious aspersions feiture of certain civil advantages and the
of the prelatic party. This paper was infliction of certain temporal penalties;
extensively circulated in England, and but obedience, or imprisonment, exile and
was successful in removing many preju- death; or rather it was, obey the king
dices, and awaking a considerable feel- though you should thereby be disobeing of approbation. To counteract this, dient to God. With deep and anxious
the king employed Dr. Balcanquhal, solicitude they set themselves to the inwho had been Hamilton's clerical advi- vestigation of this momentous question;
ser at the Glasgow Assembly, to write and, after the most profound and studious
an account of the whole of the proceed- perusal of eminent divines and jurists,
ings in Scotland which had led to the and especially of the Bible, they arrived
present state of affairs. This paper, after at the conclusion, that a Christian people'Burnet's Memoirs, p. 113.  were entitled to take up arms in defence




174             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VI.
of their religious liberties against any as- executive powers, holding  corresponsailant.*                             dence with subordinate committees in
We do not attempt to give even an out- every county, and giving simultaneous
line of the elaborate writings of the Cove- directions to the kingdom. And as the
nanters on this highly important ques- ministers had now become almost univertion; chiefly because the most of their sally convinced of the lawfulness of a deleading propositions have long been re- fensive war, they no longer felt any hesiceived into the national mind, and even tation in recommending that measure to
form essential elements in the British the people, rousing their courage, and
constitution, so far at least as civil liberty stimulating their religious zeal.  Arms
is concerned.  They were, however, at and ammunition were procured in consithe time, far beyond the general senti- derable quantities; the most experienced
ments of the age,-loftier, nobler, and officers were distributed throughout the
more true than those, the defence of kingdom, to instruct others, and to begin,
which - rendered illustrious the boasted if not the actual levies of troops, at least
HIambdens and Sidneys of England. the occasional training of such men as
But we deem it right to direct the atten- expressed willingness to serve when retion of the reader to this almost startling quired. It was debated whether assistruth, that while the empire at large has tance should be sought from  foreign
imbibed and ratified their sentiments with powers; but this was overruled, as of a
regard to civil liberty, which was with more questionable character than merely
them in reality a subordinate considera- standing on their own defence; and the
tion, those sacred principles of religious utmost that was permitted was, that letfreedom, of sole allegiance to Christ in ters might be written to certain continenmatters of faith, in defence of which tal kings and states, requesting them to
alone they resolved to confront their intercede with Charles on behalf of his
earthly sovereign, have not yet been Scottish subjects.  Even this was very
thoroughly received into the national partially done.  The letter to the king
mind, and have never been regarded of France was written and subscribed by
with  equal favour by the historian, a few of the nobles, but never forwarded
the  philosopher,  or  the statesman. to its destination, though the bare fact of
Why has this been the case?       Be- its having been written and signed excause, while all men can so far under- posed the Earl of Loudon to the extreme
stand their natural rights, and value their peril of his life a short while afterwards.
civil liberties, no man can understand  But while the country was thus rapidsacred rights and value spiritual liberties ly arming in self-defence, it was resolved
till he has been made a freeman of the that theirs should not be the first overt
Lord. Theref:re is the main principle act of hostility. They even submitted to
of the Covenanters still assailed, and several minor outrages of a warlike namust be still defended, though we trust ture, willing to postpone the actual collino longer with the weapons of earthly sion to the latest possible period, in the
warfare.  A  man may lose his civil faint hope that some pacific arrangement
liberties, or submit to civil wrongs, and might yet be made. Many Scottish merbe a Christian still; but a Christian can- chants and travellers were seized in Engnot yield up his religious liberty without land and Ireland, and treated as rebels;
committing grievous sin, sinking into the the Marquis of Huntly seized upon the
condition of a slave, and forfeiting his city of Aberdeen, and put it in a state of
hopes of heaven.                      fortified defence; and the Popish lords
Having thus arrived at the important began to arm in different quarters of the
conclusion that it was their clear and im- kingdom; while English troops were not
perative duty to defend their religious only assembling rapidly at York, but
liberties, the Covenanters commenced also hovering in threatening bands along
their preparations for defence with great the borders, and the Irish were preparing
promptitude and energy. A committee, to invade the western coasts. At this
on the plan of the Tables, was appointed time the castles of Edinburgh and Dumto sit at Edinburgh, and to exercise full barton were both in the hands of the royBaillie, vol.. p. 189.     alists; but as the Covenanters perceived




A. D. 1639.1     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    175
the danger of leaving these strong fortress- given to him, that the high heart of Enges in the possession of their enemies land was disinclined to the invasion of
when they should be compelled to march Scotland in such a cause. Many saw
southward to repel the invaders, it was clearly that the king's success in subjudetermined to anticipate and remove that gating the Scottish Covenanters would
peril.  They  were accordingly both enable him to forge for themselves the
seized on the same day; and so well had fetters of absolute despotism; and not
the Covenanters laid their schemes, that few entered more deeply into the question,
these important strengths were secured and perceived in his attempt the real
without the loss of a single life. Dalkeith spirit of Popery, regarding it as a distincwas also taken without a blow, and a tion of little moment whether a foreign
large quantity of military stores fell into prelate or a native monarch should asthe hands of the captors.  The Earl of sume and exercise that lordship over the
Montrose was sent to the north, to coun- conscience which belongs to God alone.
teract the influence of Huntly; and as Some of the nobility declared that they
Montrose was not so scrupulous as the would not aid in the invasion of Scotland
other leaders of the Presbyterians, he till the consent of parliament had been
speedily reduced Aberdeen, forcibly com- sought and obtained; and, in general, the
pelled the citizens to subscribe the Cove- supplies of both men and money fell far
nant,* and having obtained possession of short of the king's expectations.  Still, as
Huntly himself, not by the most honoura- Charles could not believe that the Coveble means, carried that dangerous noble- nanters would dare to meet him on the
man with him to Edinburgh.            field, he adhered to his warlike resoluTo complete their defensive arrange- tions; and, having mustered his forces at
ments, they resolved to fortify Leith, and York in the beginning of April, he sent
by that means to protect the capital from  the Marquis of Hamilton with a fleet to
assault by sea. As this was an object of the Frith of Forth, and began his own
great importance, it was undertaken and march at the head of his army, to invade
carried forward with corresponding en- his ancient kingdom.
ergy. The nobles of the Covenant began  After a series of ominous delays, the
the works with their own hands, which Marquis of Hamiltoi arrived with his
were prosecuted night and day without fleet in the Frith; but no sooner was he
intermission, all classes and ranks vieing descried, than the beacons were lighted,
with each other in carrying forward the and brave men rushed from all quarters
labour, and even ladies of distinction to the points of danger, like descending
stimulating the enthusiastic ardour of the mountain torrents.  Instead of being able
men by personally sharing in their toils. to effect an " awful diversion," as the king
In an almost incredibly short period Leith had commanded him, by landing and
was completely fortified; and the towns laying waste the country "with fire and
along the Fifeshire coast were put in a sword,"* he found himself actually surstate of defence by the erection of batteries rounded by forces immensely superior to
on the most commanding positions.     his own. All his efforts were therefore
These prompt and decisive measures reduced to a paper warfare, in which, as
put an end to the king's hopes of paralyz- formerly, he found himself overmatched
ingthe Covenanters by internal disunion, by his able antagonists. At length he
and there remained but two alternatives, was summoned to meet the king near
-either to subdue Scotland by the force Berwick, to strengthen the operations by
of English and Irish arms, or to treat land, since his attempts by sea were so
with it on fair and equal terms. Unhap- ineffectual. When the parliament met in
pily Charles chose the former alternative, Edinburgh, it was immediately prorogued
even though there were not wanting by the king; and to this prorogation they
symptoms which ought to have caused yielded without the slightest opposition,
him to pause in his perilous enterprise. contrary to the expectation and the wish
Indications sufficiently intelligible were of their enemies. But in this they merely' It deserves to be noted, that this was the first in. acted in accordance with their own high
stance in which any were compelled to subscribe the and well-defined principles; they yielded
Covenant, and that this was done by Montrose on his
own sole authority.                           * Burnet's Memoir, pp. 121-123.




176             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI.
to the king all due and constitutional obe- their want of inclination to fight in such
dience in matters purely civil, refusing a quarrel.
only that obedience in spiritual matters to  The result of this rencounter, and the
which he was not entitled, and which nature of the royal proclamation cornthey could not render without sin.   manding them to lay down their arms
Another slight alarm was raised in the within eight days, on pain of being denorth by the reising of Huntly's adher- dared rebels, their lands forfeited, and a
ents, who seized Aberdeen, and threaten- price set on their heads, convinced the
ed a descent upon the southern provinces. Scottish leaders that their reluctance to
This was again speedily suppressed by proceed to hostilities was regarded by the
Montrose, who now treated the inhabit- king as caused by fear, and not the effect
ants of Aberdeen and the adjacent coun- of conscientious loyalty. They determintry with considerable severity, levying a ed to relieve his majesty from this misheavy contribution, and committing some take, and accordingly advanced to Dunse
acts of pillage upon the defenceless inhab- Law, where they encamped within sight
itants, inconsistent with his present reli- of the royal army, at a distance of little
gious profession, though sufficiently na- more than six miles. When they first
tural to his real character, as afterwards pitched their tents on Dunse Law, on the
developed.                           1st of June, the army was about twelve
War was now begun; but still the thousand strong, but in a few days it was
Covenanters were anxious for peace, if it increased to nearly twice that number, full
could be obtained without the sacrifice of of courage, and confident in the goodness
religious purity and truth. Repeatedly did of their cause.
they send deputations to his majesty, while  The army of the Covenanters presenton his march; but the haughty monarch ed such a spectacle as has been rarely
refused to listen to their supplications, witnessed.  The hill on which they
and would hear of nothing but the renun- had taken up their position is of a conic
ciation of the Covenant and the Glasgow  form, about a Scottish mile in circumferAssembly, and an unconditional submis- ence, rising gradually to the height of a
sion to his royal will.  It was now time bowshot, where it terminates in a plain of
to move forward in their united might; nearly thirty acres in extent. This level
but, animated by the same religious spirit summit was bristled round with forty
which had guided all their past conduct, field-pieces, commanding the two roads
they would not go till they had done that led to the capital. Around the sides
their utmost to secure the hope that God of the hill were pitched the tents of the
had gone before them. A solemn fast army, each regiment in its own respectwas held, and many earnest prayers were ive cluster. A banner-staff was planted
offered up to the Lord of Hosts, implor- firmly at each captain's tent-door, from
ing Him to guide all their movements, which floated the Scottish colours, disand to crown them with victory in that playing not only the national arms, but
sacred cause which they regarded as also this inscription in golden letters,
most truly His own. The committee     FOR CHRIST'S CROWN AND COVENANT."
next issued directions to the kingdom to explanatory of the sacred cause for which
regulate the conduct of their adherents in this dauntless banner was again spread
the muster and the march to head-quar- on the winds. A minister of the highest
ters. They then marched forward in character and abilities was attached to
two divisions; the main body, under each regiment; and regularly as mornGeneral Leslie, halted at Dunglas; and ing dawned and evening fell, the troops
a strong detachment, under Monro, took were summoned, by beat of drum, or
up a position at Kelso.  The latter body sound of trumpet, to their devotional ducame first into contest with a division of ties, which were conducted generally by
the king's forces, which had been sent the same reverend pastors to whose prayforward to publish a proclamation, and at ers and exhortations they had listened on
sight of the Scottish troops, turned and days of Sabbath stillness, among their
fled with great precipitation;-proving own rural and peaceful homes.  The
thereby, no' their want of courage, but army was chiefly composed of Scotland's




A. D. 1639.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    177
thoughtful and high-souled peasantry,-  conclusion. Although the king would
men strong of frame and bold of heart, to not grant directly the requests of the
whom religious liberty was dear because Covenanters, he thought it prudent to acthey had felt and known its priceless val- cede to articles of pacification in which
ue, and therefore were prepared to peril they were virtually involved. He conlife itself in its defence. Led on by their sented to the ratification of all that had
time-honoured nobility, encouraged by been deceptively promised by the Martheir beloved pastors, and convinced by quis of Hamilton to the Glasgow Assemthe goodness of their cause that Heaven bly, though he would not allow that Aswas on their side, these dreadless men sembly to be specifically named. To this
looked forward to the hour of battle as to was added, that an Assembly should be
that of certain victory.  Theirs was not held at Edinburgh on the 6th of August,
the fiery courage of untamed blood and to which all ecclesiastical matters were
reckless hardihood, but the calm, deliber- to be referred for decision; and a Parliaate fortitude of men who feared God, and ment was to sit on the 20th of the
knew no other fear.  It was not strange same month, to determine civil affairs,
that Charles recoiled from encountering and to ratify the acts of Assembly.  On
such a foe.*                         these terms it was further agreed that the
Perceiving the formidable strength and forces on both sides should be disbanded,
dauntless resolution of the Scottish army, the fleet leave the shores, and the castles
Charles became anxious to treat with men be rendered back to the king. To exon whom he now saw that he could not press his royal gratification, his majesty
trample. Yet pride withheld him from  expressed his intention to honour both
making the first proposals otherwise than the Assembly and the Parliament with
by stealth. No sooner did the Covenant- his presence,-an intention which he did
ers learn that the Icing might now listen not carry into effect. This treaty was
to overtures for the peaceful termination signed on the 18th of June, and publicly
of the struggle, than they sent an embassy proclaimed in both camps the same day.
to supplicate his majesty to bestow on  It is painful to be obliged to state, that not
their requests and statement of grievances only during these negotiations did the king
a favourable audience. Both parties be- too manifestly degrade himself by doubleing now willing to come to pacific terms, dealing and treachery, but that even in
the adjustment of preliminaries was not concluding the treaty of pacification, he
a matter of extreme difficulty, although entertained the fixed determination to vithe king was careful to maintain such olate all its most important stipulations as
punctilious forms as should, in his opin- soon as his power should ever be equal
ion, save his honour, and not too greatly to his will. This perfidious conduct was
mortify his pride. As it was not pride, not unknown to the Covenanters; and
but religious principle, by which the although they did not publicly avow disCovenanters were actuated, they were trust of the king, nor declare their jealcontent to make e ery reasonable conces- ousy of his dissimulation, it would argue
sion, and to soothe the monarch's wounded a degree of imbecility of which they
feelings to the utmost. Yet the negotia- cannot be suspected, if they had allowed
tions were at one time nearly interrupted themselves to be circumvented by such
at the instigation of the Scottish prelates, manifest deceit. Their part of the treaty
who were willing to peril their sove- they performed by instantly breaking
reign's life, and the peace of their native up their encampment, disbanding their
land, in the prosecution of their own ava- troops, and placing the fortresses in the
ricious and revengeful desires. But a hands of the royalists; but they retained
significant hint from Leslie of his inten- their veteran officers in pay,, and broke
tion to advance his army within cannon- not up that internal organization by
shot of the royal camp, caused an imme- means of which they were able almost
diate change in the lowering aspect of instantaneously to. raise and re-concenaffairs, and the negotiations were not trate the power of the kingdom. Charles
only resumed, but brought to a speedy lingered some time before he disbanded
his army; and after that had been par-'For a more fill account, see Baillie, pp. 210-214; tially done, sent for the leading CoveStevenson, pp. 373 374sent for the leading Cove23




178             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VI.
nanters to wait on him at Berwick. Bar- the present work, we cannot record more
net admits that he did so with the inten- than the most important acts passed by
tion of trying what fair treatment might this Assembly. As the king had exdo with them. Six only of them went, pressed his determination not to ratify the
or rather were allowed to go, as the prob- acts of the Glasgow Assembly, which, on
able object of the king was suspected. the other hand, the Covenanters would
Of these Montrose was one; and so ef- not disavow, the expedient was adopted of
fectual were the king's arguments or re-enumerating its acts in the preambles
promises with him, that before he left the of those now to be passed.  In this manroyal presence, that ambitious nobleman ner the corruptions which had so long
had pledged himself to promote his sove- troubled the Church, were re-stated, and
reign's designs, and to remain among formally condemned, by which means all
the Covenanters that he might the more the prelatic innovations were once more
effectually betray them  It is difficult to abolished, and a clause was added, sesay whether the conduct of the king or curing the annual meeting of Assemof Montrose was most dishonourable,-  blies, and the regular meeting of synods,
the one in persuading to treachery the, presbyteries, and kirk-sessions.  Conother in consenting to become a traitor; siderable difficulty was experienced in
or most criminal, the king in violating dealing with the recusant prelatists, but
the faith of the recent treaty, Montrose this, too, was surmounted by hearing the
in committing perjury by breaking his accusations against them afresh, framing
solemn Covenant engagement.           a condemnation of the errors of which
Defeated in all his intentions, and dis- they were accused, and dealing leniently
appointed in all his hopes, the king de- with those who expressed contrition for
lined to go to Edinburgh according to his their faults, and submitted to the Assempromise; but before his return to Eng- bly.  The Large Declaration, written by
land, appointed a lord high commissioner Balcanquhal, but published as the king's
to represent him in the Assembly and in manifesto, was condemned, and a suppliparliament.  Hamilton declined holding cation was prepared, requesting his mathis high office, though requested by the jesty to cause the offensive book to be
king; and the Earl of Traquair was ap- suppressed.  The National Covenant
pointed.  A  list of instructions were was next renewed; and the Assembly
given by the king to Traquair, for the petitioned the privy council to give it the
direction of his conduct in the Assembly, sanction of an act of council, requiring
in which a spirit of even mean and bitter it to be subscribed by all his majesty's
spite against the last Assembly is betray- subjects.  This was accordingly done,
ed, and its whole character is that of the whole council subscribing, and Trashifting and deceitful evasiveness.  The quair himself subscribing as commissionlast article of it requires Traquair to pro- er, that it might have as full sanction as
test, that in case any thing has escaped the representative of royalty could give
his notice, prejudicial to his majesty's it, with this explanatory declaration, that
service, " his majesty may be heard for it was one in substance with the Confesredress thereof, in his own time and sion or Covenant of 1581.   The minor
place."  By this it is manifest that the acts of this Assembly were a proposal by
king intended to revoke every concession Henderson for a committee to frame a
which the commissioner had made, when- full Confession of Faith-another for a
ever it should be in his power. With Catechism,-and an act resembling that
regard to the parliament, he felt even since called the Barrier Act, prohibiting
more at liberty, as Traquair had suggest- any change in the laws of the Church
ed that none of its acts could be valid till the motion to that effect had been
without the presence of the prelates, as communicated to all synods and presbythe third estate, and, therefore, they might teries, and returned to the next Assembly
be passed and afterwards thrown aside ripely considered.  The next Assembly
whenever his majesty thought proper.*  was appointed to meet at Aberdeen; and
The General Assembly met on the after warm and earnest expressions of
12th of August. In such an outline as gratitude to the king and his commissionBurnet's Memoir, pp. 149, 150.  er, and  of fervent thanksgiving and




A. D. 1640.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  179
praise to God for his countenance and endeavouring to appease the royal indigsupport, was formally dissolved in the nation.
usual manner.                          [1640.]  The Scottish parliament sent
Information of the proceedings of the the Earls of London and Dunfermline to
Assembly had been sent to the king from  London for a similar purpose; but the
time to time during its sittings, and his king was so highly incensed with their
majesty's comments were returned to his pertinacious adherence  to their own
commissioner. Whether from inadver- views, that after  having  reluctantly
tence, or thinking that since the king's granted them  audience, and listened to
whole concessions were deceptive, it could the statement which they were commisnot much matter about the strictness of sioned to make, he commanded the Earl
the language, the commissioner had per- of Loudon to be committed to the Tower,
rnitted himself to subscribe and ratify the on a charge of treason, founded on the
act condemning the prelatic innovations, letter to the King of France, of which
although it contained the following strong mention was made above. So vehement
statement: "That Episcopal government, was the wrath of the king, that he issued
and the civil places and power of kirk- the tyrannical order, that Loudon should
men, be holden still as unlawful in this be beheaded within the Tower before
Kirk."  The word unlawful the king nine o'clock of the following morning,
could not tolerate, though he would not and without the formalities of a trial.
have objected to the condemnation of This bloody warrant the lieutenant of the
Prelacy as "contrary to the constitution Tower carried to the Marquis of Hamilof the Church of Scotland;" and, there- ton, who, aware of the fearful consefore, he " absolutely commanded" Tra- quences which would inevitably ensue,
quair not to ratify that act in parliament, hastened to the king, and earnestly beunless the language were changed ac- sought him to recall the warrant. At
cording to his suggestion.*  One might firsthe sternly, and with violent language,
be disposed to regard his majesty's dis- refused to comply; but at length the
tinction as merely a petty quibble, since marquis prevailed, chiefly by pointing
what is unconstitutional ought to be held out the dire effects to himself and his
as more than unlawful by every man of cause which such a deed would certainly
sound judgment; but it is too well known produce, and with suppressed and sullen
that many men pay more respect to the revengefulness he permitted the victim to
letter of the law than to the spirit of the be rescued from his deadly gripe.
constitution; and besides, Charles held  The king was now resolved once more
that he possessed, in virtue of his high to take the field, and reduce the Coveprerogative, the power of altering the nanters to subjection by force of arms.
constitution of both Church and State, ac- But the main obstacle to the accomplishcording to his own arbitrary will; conse- ment of this sanguinary resolution conquently, the word unconstitutional was a sisted in the difficulty of meeting the
much less formidable obstacle in his esti- expenditures in which he would be necesmation than the word unlawful. Like sarily involved. All his resources were
superficial thinkers in general, he did not drained by his previous inefFectual atperceive that constitutional principles are tempt; and he saw no method of obtainthe life-powers of a community, while ing a sufficient sum of money but that of
laws are but the variable forms through calling an English parliament, and enwhich they manifest their essential ener- deavouring to procure a grant of adequate
gies.  Under the strong coercion of his supplies.  Above  eleven  years had
majesty's "absolute command." Traquair elapsed since a parliament had been
endeavoured to prevail upon the parlia- held; during which period the arbitrary
ment to amend the errors which he had conduct of the king, and the hideous
permitted to pass the Assembly; but cruelties perpetrated by the Star-Chamafter much intriguing and successive ad- her, had so alienated the kingdom, that
journments, he was obliged to prorogue Charles dreaded to call a parliament, lest,
its further sitting till the 2d of June 1640, instead of granting a subsidy, it should
and to hasten to court for the purpose of proceed first to the consideration of grievBurnet's Memoir, p. 158.   ances. What could not be avoided must




180             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI.
be met; but what was dreaded took was not new; it had come before the
place. When the parliament met, they preceding Assembly, but had been partly
would not listen to the demand of a sub- soothed down by the sagacious managesidy till they had inquired into their own ment of Henderson, and partly repressed
wrongs, and sought redress. The king into a subordinate position by the presence
indignantly dissolved the parliament, and of matter of more urgent character.
set himself to raise the necessary funds During the domination of the prelatic
by every means in his power. By the party, many religious people had withmost strenuous exertions he so far re-drawn from the ministry of men from
plenished his treasury as to be able to whom they derived no spiritual instructake the field in the month of July, at tion; but to supply the want to the utthe head of 19,000 foot and 2,000 cav- most of their power, they had adopted the
airy.*                               measure of meeting together in private,
Although perfectly aware of all the and engaging in reading of the Scrip
king's proceedings, the Covenanters ma- tures, exhortation, and prayer, for their
nifested no rash eagerness to resort to mutual edification. Several of those who
defensive warfare, till every pacific method had been in Ireland and other countries
had been tried. They held the parlia- for a considerable time, had become so
ment on the day to which it had been confirmed in this custom, that even after
prorogued; and, notwithstanding the ab- the Glasgow Assembly, the abolition of
sence of the Earl of Traquair, they Prelacy, and the restoration of the purer
calmly and regularly proceeded with the and simpler modes of Presbyterian wortransactions for which the parliament had ship, they still continued their practice of
met, and ratified all the acts of the pre- holding these private religious meetings.
ceding Assembly, besides reforming their The most pious ministers saw nothing
own constitution. At the same time they offensive or improper in such private
made repeated applications to the Marquis meetings of Christian worshippers; but
of Hamilton, and to several of the Eng- there were others who looked on them
lish nobility, that they would intercede with less favourable regard. Some of
with the king, and, if possible, persuade the ministers had, while on the Contihim to consent to a peaceful settlement nent, witnessed scenes of gross profanity
of the nation's troubles.  Some private among the Aanabaptists, and other ignointercourse appears to have taken place rant and enthusiastic sects, and dreaded
between the Covenanters and the disaf- that similar abuses would spring up in
fected party in England, by which the the prayer-meetings of their grave and
movements of the former were not a little sober countrymen.  Others were still so
influenced t  Being convinced that hos- deeply tainted with the prelatic leaven,
tilities were inevitable, the Covenanters that they viewed these meetings as so
again sounded the alarm, and were an- many conclaves of conspiracy against
swered immediately by the mustering their own ecclesiastical dignity and privithousands of the bold and religious leges. There were others also, among
peasantry, and the gallant nobles of the ministers, men of more comprehenScotland, accompanied, as before, by sive and far-seeing minds, who dreaded
many faithful and zealous ministers.  frm such meetings the rise of a species
In the meantime the General Assem- of Independency in Scotland, which,
bly met at Aberdeen on the 28th of July, they were aware, was beginning to raise
and began their duties, while all around its head very powerfully in England.
them was ringing with the din of war. Undoubtedly the wisest measure would
Unhappily, all was not peace within the have been either to have taken no public
Assembly. The absence of many of the notice of such meetings, or to have done
leading men left the business to be con- so in terms of approbation; and for the
ducted by others of inferior talents, and ministers themselves to have attended
less tact in the management of a popular them, joined in them, given to the humble
assembly.  The cause of the contention and pious worshippers all the instruction
in their power, and thus not only to have, Burnet's Memoirs, p. 173.  t Burnet's Own prevented schism and alienation, but to
Tlmes, P. 17.




A. D. 1638.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     181
have re-directed all those streams of pri- Owing to the various causes already spevate devotion into the channels of the cified, his attempts were but too successNational Church.                      ful; and after some days of bitter contenIt may be remarked in passing, that tion, the Assembly passed an act respectthe number of sects which spring up in ing family worship, limiting it to the
any country, the erroneous nature of the members of each family, and prohibiting
tenets held by these sects, and the wild the expounding of the Scriptures, except
extravagance into which they rush, sup- by ministers or those in training for the
ply, when fairly and judiciously investi- ministry, of whose qualifications the Presgated, so many almost infallible tests of bytery had expressed approbation. This
the real character of the Church of that unseemly and ill-omened contention may
country.  For if that Church has done be regarded as the first insertion of that
its duty in communicating religious in- wedge by which the Church of Scotland
struction to the people, they will carry was afterwards rent asunder; and it dewith them, even should they leave its serves to be remarked that it was pointed
pale, the sacred knowledge which they and urged on by a prelatist.
had acquired, and will. retain such an  The army of the Covenanters had
amount of sacred principles, and present again mustered at their former station on
such an aspect of regulated propriety, Dunse Law; but after remaining there
that no large-hearted Christian will feel about three weeks, and feeling that their
himself at liberty to speak of them in resources would soon be exhaustld should
terms of scorn.  While, on the other they continue inactive, they deliberated
hand, if they have been neglected and seriously on advancing into England to
left in ignorance, they will infallibly dis- meet their assailants.  This was a more
play that ignorance in their insanely de- questionable measure than their former
lusive, or darkly fanatical notions, and in defensive position, and they felt all the
the glaring absurdity or profane impiety responsibility in which it might involve
of their conduct.  This test we may have them.*  But they felt also, that there
occasion hereafter to apply with regard were but two alternatives, the one or the
to the Churches both of England and of other of which they must adopt,-either
Scotland; at present it is enough to sug- to advance in a peaceful manner towards
gest it, partly as connected with the con- the royal army, or to disband their forces,
tentions in the Assembly at Aberdeen, and submit to the mercy of an enraged
and partly for a subject of reflection to monarch, and his cruel instigators, the
the reader.                           relentless prelates.  Many reasons might
The person by whom this subject was be adduced why the Covenanters ought
brought before the Assembly was Henry not to have entered England; but their
Guthry, at that time one of the ministers best vindication will be found in the dire
of Stirling.* His character is well known necessity which compelled them either to
by all who are acquainted with Scottish advance and secure their religious and
ecclesiastical history, by whom his eager- civil liberties, or to remain and bow their
ness to repress private religious worship degraded necks beneath the yoke ofdouwillbe sufficiently understood. To those ble despotism.  They chose the nobler
who may not have access to other sources alternative: prepared and published manof knowledge, it will probably be enough ifestoes explaining the reasons of their
to state, that his subsequent conduct expedition, and most solemnly disclaimcaused him to be deposed from the min- ing all hostile intentions against the Engistry in 1648; that after the restoration lish nation; then, humbly committing
of Charles II. he was made bishop of their cause to God, they crossed the
Dunkeld; and that he wrote memoirs of Tweed, and marched towards Newcastle,
Scottish affairs in his own times, which as peacefully as if they had been passing
abound in misrepresentations and calum- through the heaths and valleys of their
nies. Such was the man who took it beloved native land.
upon him to act the part of a discourager  We shall not further trace the moveof private religious meetings for worship, ments of the Scottish army.  Its success
and a maker of strife in church courts.' the crossing of the Tyne-its march' Baillie, vol. i. pp. 249-255.' Rushworth, vol. iii. p. 1223, el seq.




182             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. V1.
towards York,-the reluctance of the eloquence was pervaded by that electric
English to support the king's despotic energy which is an essential attribute of
designs,-the pacification of Ripon,-  true genius.  The presence of such men
the transfer of the place of treaty to Lon- in London for so many months, and the
don,-and the first meeting of the long free intercourse which they enjoyed with
parliament,-nmust all be left to the civil all classes of society, gave an impulse to
historian, as not legitimately within our the heart of England which proved irreprovince, further than that, in tracing the sistible.
reflex influence which these events exer-  During this residence of the Scottish
cised on ecclesiastical matters, so much commissioners in the English capital, the
must be stated as to render the subject in- views of all parties expanded; and an
telligible.                          idea which had been previously but dimly
[1641.] The residence in Scotland of entertained by many, began to assume a
the  Scottish  Commissioners for the definite form in the minds of the leading
Treaty, from the latter part of the year men.  That idea was, the possibility
1640 till August 1641, when the treaty which such a juncture seemed to present
was finally concluded, was productive of of establishing uniformity in the religious
the most important consequences to both worship of the three kingdoms. In one
countries. Henderson, Baillie, Blair, and respect this was no new idea. It had
Gillespie, some of the most eminent of the been entertained by both King James and
Scottish ministers, were appointed to ac- the present sovereign; but they both
company the commissioners to London, sought to realize it by the strong compuland to remain with them in the capacity sion of civil power, forgetting that men
of chaplains.*  The great abilities of may be reasoned into the reception of
these distinguished men attracted the at- opinions, but cannot be compelled; and
tention of the English of all ranks in proceeding upon the utterly false notion
a very remarkable manner, and recom- that the civil magistrate has a right to
mended   the. Presbyterian  system  of dictate in matters of religion.  Viewing
Church government much more effectu- this great question in a very different
ally than arguments alone could have light, and perceiving that the English
done. Nor was this strange. Hender- nation was now wellnigh as weary of the
son was a man of uncommon prudence despotic rule of Laud as they had been
and sagacity, profound judgment, decided of their own prelatic tyrants, the Scottish
eloquence, and the most attracting amen- commissioners began to hope that Engity of manners. Baillie, though greatly land might be persuaded to change her
inferior to Henderson in mental powers, Church government, and bring it into
and somewhat fickle in disposition, aris- closer uniformity with that of Scotland's
ing from a facile temper and constitu- National Church.  They did not entertional timidity, was one of the most ain the presumptuous wish to dictate to
learned men of his time. Blair was also England in so grave a matter; the whole
a very learned man, had passed through amount of the influence which they ever
many sharp trials, and, having been dreamt of exercising was, to suggest the
brought much into contact with the Inde- measure to the English mind; and, if. it
pendents, had thoroughly studied the should be favourably received and underquestions in controversy with that reli- taken, to aid their English brethren by
gious body, on which account he was those advices and that information which
made one of the deputation.  And Gilles- their own experience might enable them
pie, though still a very young man, had to give. That these were in reality the
already proved himself to be endowed sentiments of the Scottish Covenanters,
with powers and possessed of acquire- however much they have been misreprements of the very highest order; his sented by party writers, the following exlearning was both extensive and singu- tract from a paper entitled " Arguments
larly minute; his intellect clear, acute, given in by the Commissioners of Scotand powerful, qualifying him for emi- land unto the Lords of the Treaty, pernence in debate; and his high and fervid suading Conformity of Church governBaillie, vol.i p. 269.    ment as one principal means of a con,




A. D. 1641.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   183
tinued Peace between the two Nations," for all the parts of the pub.ic worship of
will, we trust, clearly prove.       God, and prayer, preaching, administra"As we account it no less than usur- tion of sacraments, &c., and one form of
pation and presumption for one kingdom  Church government in all the churches
or church, were it never so mighty and of his Majesty's dominions."*
glorious, to give laws and rules of re.  Even before these views were commuformation to another free and independent nicated to the Lords of the Treaty by the
church and kingdom, were it never so Scottish commissioners, great numbers
mean, civil liberty and conscience being of petitions had been presented to parliaso tender and delicate that they cannot ment fiom different parts of England,
endure to be touched but by such as they some praying for the total extirpation of
are wedded unto, and who have lawful au- Prelacy, and others for a reformation in
thority over them; so have we not been the liturgy, discipline, and government
so forgetful of ourselves, who are the ofthe Chruch; but all agreeing in reprelesser, and of England, which is the senting some decided change as necesgreater kingdom, as to suffer any such sary for the peace of the kingdom. The
arrogant and presumptuous thoughts to parliament indicated no unwillingness to
enter into our minds; our ways also are have the question of Church government
witnesses of the contrary, against the ma- fully investigated, and no peculiar desire
licious, who do not express what we are to maintain the prelatic hierarchy; but
or have been, but do still devise what gave no intimation of their own ultimate
may be fuel for a common combustion. intentions on the subject, if, indeed, they
Yet charity is no presumption, and the had already framed any definite design,
common duty of charity bindeth all Chris- which they probably had not. So far the
tians at all times, both to pray and profess subject was in a proper train; for while
their desire, that all others were not only a civil government may with perfect proalmost but altogether such as themselves, priety either repeal the laws which have
except their afflictions and distresses; respect to the civil status of a national
and, besides common charity, we are Church, or frame new enactments for the
bound as commissioners in a special duty purpose of giving civil effect to ecclesiasto propound the best and readiest means tical arrangements, it would be an unconfor settling of a firm peace. As we love stitutional overstepping of its own pronot to be curious in another common- vince to dictate to a Church in what
wealth, nor to play the bishop in another manner to construct its government, to
diocese, so may we not be careless and frame its creed, and to determine its disnegligent in that which concerneth both cipline.
nations.  We do all know and profess,  While the treaty was proceeding
that religion is not the only mean to serve slowly at London, interrupted by the trial
God and to save our own souls, but that of Strafford, the General Assembly met
it is also the basis and foundation of king- at St. Andrews, 20th July 1641; but as
doms and states, and the strongest band the Scottish parliament was to meet at
to the subjects under their prince in true Edinburgh about the same time,. the Asloyalty, and to knit their hearts one sembly adjourned till the 27th July,. on
to another in true unity. Nothing is so which day it was to resume its sittings at
powerful to divide the hearts of people as Edinburgh. Before that day several of
division in religion; nothing so strong to the Scottish commissioners had returned;
unite them as unity in religion; and the and Henderson was appointed moderator,
greater zeal in different religions, the on account of several difficult matters,
greater division; but the more zeal in which,it was felt, would require the guidone religion, the more firm union. In ing hand of such a man to conduct with
the paradise of nature the diversity of safety.  The contest of the preceding
flowers and herbs is pleasant and useful; year respecting private meetings was
but in the paradise of the Church, differ- renewed, Henry Guthry being still bent
ent and contrary religions are unpleasant on their entire suppression, to which
and hurtful. It is therefore to be wished, others would not consent. By the wise
that there were one Confession of Faith
that there were one Confession of Fath,  Extracted from a very interesting volume of jublic
one form of Catechism, one Directory, documents printed at the time.




184            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VI
and temperate management of Hender- Scottish commissioners in London; and
son a peaceful settlement of this irritating he was perfectly aware that his discodtopic was affected; the Aberdeen act was tented subjects in England hoped for supconsigned to oblivion, and a new act port from the Scottish army, should their
passed, giving sanction to all that pious disagreement with their sovereign proprivate Christians could wish, and guard- ceed to an open rupture, as it threatened
ing against the dangers of abuses in their to do. He formed, therefore, the resolureligious meetings.  A communication tion to visit Scotland once more in person,
was received from several ministers in and attempt either to disunite the CoveEngland, requesting the opinion of the nanters, or to prevent them from entering
Assembly respecting Church govern- into a closer union with the English par
ment, especially with reference to the liament. He had, on a former occasion,
system of Independents, or, as it may be gained over Montrose, and he probably
termed, the Congregational system. The anticipated equal success with a considerAssembly, as might be expected, gave its able number more of the ambitious Scotapprobation strongly in favour of the tish nobility, if he were once among
Presbyterian system. Following out the them. He had determined to act a part;
idea which had been suggested by the but to such vigilant eyes as were around
commissioners in London, Henderson him it was too apparent that he was only
uroposed to the Assembly the propriety acting. He was courteous to the Coveof framing a full and systematic scheme nanters, almost to flattery. He lavished
of all things required in a regularly-con- honours on those who had been in arms
stituted Church, namely a Confession of against him; but he remained sternly
Faith, a Catechism, and a Directory for unforgiving to Balmerino, whose life he
all parts of the public worship of God. had formerly sought. He was so eager
The Assembly not only admitted the de- to sign and ratify every act of parliament
sirableness of such a measure, but as- and Assembly, that he could scarcely be
signed the task of executing it to Hender- prevailed upon to give them a first cursoson himself, permitting him to retire from  ry perusal. The Covenant was subscrihis pastoral duties, that he might devote bed by the parliament openly, and with
his whole time and strength to the dis- his majesty's consent; and during the
charge of so important a duty, and em- whole time of his residence in Scotland,
powering him to call to his assistance the king conformed to the Presbyterian
such of his brethren as he knew to be mode of worship, expressing no longing
most highly qualified.*             for the Liturgy.  There was in all this
One constitutional element was intro- too much compliance to argue full sinduced by this Assembly, which has been cerity; and the Covenanters had experiproductive of much good to the Church, enced too much of the unhappy king's
and also of some harm. This was the dissimulation on former occasions, to be
appointment of a Commission of Assem- able at once to throw aside all suspicion.
bly, empowered to finish the business Even if they had, they must have been
which the Assembly had not been able startled from credulous security, first by
to accomplish during its regular sitting, some slight indications of danger, and
to attend during the meeting of parliament, finally by one terrific and portentous event,
to visit the universities, and generally to enough to rouse and appal the most leattend to the welfare of the Church. thargic.
This Commission was at first to consist  The Earl of Montrose was at that time
of about forty ministers and sixteen elders; a prison'er in Edinburgh, accused of a
but subsequently it was so enlarged as to treacherous  correspondence with the
include all the members of Assembly, to king. An alarm, known in history by
have four regular meetings, with power the name of the " Incident," startled the
to adjourn, and its quorum to amount to capital with terror, and caused the sudden
thirty-one, of whom twenty-one were to flight of Hamilton and Argyle from the
be ministers.                        apprehended danger of assassination.*
King Charles had been no inattentive And their souls were horrified by the inspectator of the respect shown to the telligence from Ireland, that the Papists' Baillie, vol. i. p. 365' Burnet's Memoirs, p. 186.




A. D. 1642.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    185
had arisen in a body, and massacred disputed points.   Their mediation was
countless thousands of the unsuspecting rejected indignantly by the king, who reand defenceless Protestant inhabitants.* garded them as in a great degree the
While their hearts were throbbing at the prime movers of all these contests, by
recital of the atrocious barbarities perpe- having set the example of successful retrated by Irish Papists, they could not sistance to his arbitrary will.
forget, that on several previous attempts  The Covenanters had now a very difof insurrection by these deluded and ficult part to act.  Their loyalty to the
blood-thirsty men, Charles had refused to king had never been shaiken, even when
proclaim their conduct rebellious; and in arms against his despotic attempts;
yet that, when they in the most peaceful and they were unwilling to contribute tomanner asserted their own religious free- wards overwhelming him in that struggle
dom, they were instantly proclaimed which he had himself provoked.   At the
rebels, and orders issued for their destruc- same time, the contest in which the Engtion by fire and sword.  They cannot, glish parliament was engaged bore so
therefore, be blamed,-they ought rather close a resemblance to their own, that
to be praised,-that while they accepted their sympathies naturally flowed towards
gladly their monarch's ratification of their men contending for civil and religious
religious liberties, they were not deluded liberty.  An uneasy neutrality was all
by his " king-craft."                 they could for a time determine to mainWhen the king returned to London, tain, watching anxiously the progress
he was assailed by the unwise complaints of events, and feeling deeply interested in
of the prelates, that his concessions to the both of the contending powers.
Scottish Church had rendered the over-  [1642.] When the assembly met at St.
throw of Episcopacy almost inevitable in Andrews, on the 28th of July 1642, it
England also. At the same time the began to be apparent that the political
English parliament laid before him  a movements in England were about to instatement of national grievances, which volve Scotland also in the wild and madstill more increased his dissatisfaction dening whirl of civil war. Both the
with their conduct and with his own. king and the parliament addressed letters
The jealousy between the king and the to the Assembly, each blaming the other
parliament had now reached that extreme for the fierce collision which had taken
point which the slightest increase would place, and both endeavouring to obtain
convert into avowed hostility.  By that the support of the Covenanters.  The
fatality which attended the whole of the more wary of the leading men were
royal and prelatic measures, the provoca- averse from taking any precipitate step;
tion was given by the very parties who and the answers to these letters were
should have been most anxious to avoid written by Henderson in the most guarded
it. The bishops left the House of Lords, terms. But there were others who were
on the pretext that they could not attend eager to encourage the English parliait with personal safety; protesting, at the ment, regarding it but an act of gratitude
same time, that whatever legislative en- to lend assistance to that body from whom
actments should take place in their ab- they had obtained aid in their own hour
sence should be null and void.  This of need. The General Assembly at this
was instantly resented by the Commons time, and for several subsequent years,
as a treasonable attempt to paralyze the manifested its sympathy for the distressed
government of the country, and throw the state of the Presbyterian Church in Irekingdom into anarchy.  The king's al- land, by sending ministers to that country
most simultaneous attempt to seize forci- to administer the ordinances of religion
bly the persons of some of the leading among the destitute congregations; and
members of parliament, completed the from this time forward a warm reciprobreach between him and them, and drove cal attachment subsisted between the Prestheir quarrel to the dread arbitrament of byterians of Scotland and Ireland, and a
war. In vain did the Scottish commis- deep interest in each other's welfare,
sioners offer their mediation, and strive to which recent circumstances have greatly
procure an amicable adjustment of all strengthened.  Little else of public mo-'Burnet's Memoirs, p.187; Baillie, vol. i.. 396.  ment was transacted at this Assembly,
24




186             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VI,
with the exception of some discussion re- public affairs, and such the views and
specting patronage, which the Church feelings of the Covenanters, when variwished to modify, so far, at least, that the ous proofs of additional dangers came to
patron might not present whomsoever light.   A plot was discovered, in which
he pleased, but select one out of a list the royalists were to have raised an army
of six to be furnished to him by the pres- tn Scotland, to be headed by Hamilton
bytery.                               and Montrose, and led to the assistance
At a subsequent meeting of Commis- of the king. Another of a still more forsion a communication was received from  midable nature was also detected, from
the English parliament, intimating their which it appeared that the king had enintention to call an assembly of divines, tered into a combination with the perpeto deliberate respecting the formation of trators of the recent fearful massacre in
such a Confession of Faith, Catechism, Ireland, for the purpose of inducing them
and Directory, as might lead to the de- to invade Scotland, effect a junction with
sired uniformity between the Churches the royalists there, suppress the Coveof the two kingdoms, and requesting corn- nanters, and then advance into England,
missioners fiom the Scottish Church to and assist him against the parliament.*
assist in their deliberations. Commis- These discoveries alarmed the convention
sioners were nominated to be in readi- to such a degree, that they resolved to
ness, but their departure was delayed till abandon their neutral ground, and enter
the English Assembly should actually into a treaty with the English parliament
meet, which, however, did not take place as soon as commissioners from it should
till the following year.              arrive.
Before the king left Scotland in 1641, The General Assembly met at Edinhe had empowered a semi-parliament, or burgh on the 2d of August; and feeling
convention of estates, to meet from time that they were on the brink of another
to time in Edinburgh, for the conserva- eventful crisis, they began by setting
tion of the public peace; and this con- apart a day for solemn fasting and supvention naturally assumed the whole con- plication for Divine guidance through the
duct of public affairs. There had always perils of such dark and troublous times.
been a considerable number of the nobili- Henderson was again chosen moderator.
ty strongly opposed to the Covenanters After a few days spent in routine business,
and devoted to the king, and several more the English commissioners arrived, conhad been gained to that side during his sisting partly of civilians to transact busimajesty's late visit. The consequence ness with the Scottish convention, and
was, that party spirit divided all their de- partly of ministers to confer with the Asliberations, and tended to drive them both sembly.  The result of these conferences
to extremes.  They ceased to consider was, the framing of that well-known bond
whether they ought to remain in a state of union between the two countries, THE
of neutrality during the war between the SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENAN-T,-a.docking and the parlinment or not, and were ument which we may be pardoned for
only anxious to determine which party terming the noblest, in its essential nature
they should assist. In the meantime, the and principles, of all that are recorded
king had been generally successful in his among the international transactions of
military operations, and the parliament the world.  It was written by Alexander
was reduced to a state of great danger. Henderson, read by him to the Assembly
Had the Scottish army then joined the on the 17th August, received and apking, there can be little doubt that by proved of with emotions of the deepest
their assistance he would speedily have solemnity  and  awe. with whispered
reduced the insurgents to subjection. But prayers and thanksgivings and outgushthe Covenanters knew well that he would ing tears, then carried to the convention
be no sooner placed firmly on his seat of of estates, and by them unanimously ratipower than he would trample them be- fied.t It was subsequently sent to Lonneath his feet and overthrow all the work don, where on the 25th of September, it
of religious reformation which they had
been toiling to erect.                           Baillie, vol. ii. pp. 73, 74.,[163.1 Sh ws the pe      s state of  t Records of Church of Scotland, p. 253; Baillie vol.
[1643.] Such was the perilous state of ii pp. 90, 95.




A. D. 1643.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    187
was accepted and subscribed by the Eng- triarchs of Scotland's Second Reformation
lish parliament and the Westminster As- was not the first faint struggling daysembly of Divines. The Solemn League beam piercing the world's thick darkness,
and Covenant bound the united kingdoms and revealing to the eye of faith an earnto endeavour the preservation of the re- est of the rising of the Sun of righteousformed religion in the Church of Scot- ness?  True, the clouds soon darkened
land, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and down and hid that herald day-beam; but
government, and the reformation of reli- not less certainly does the day approach,
gion in the kingdoms of England and although its dawning hour be shaded in
Ireland, according to the Word. of God, the deepest gloom. A sacred principle
and the example of the best-reformed was then infused into the heart of nations,
Churches,-the extirpation of Popery and which cannot perish; a light then shone
Prelacy,-the defence of the king's per- into the world's darkness, which cannot
son, authority, and honour,-and the pre- be extinguished; and generations not reservation and defence of the true religion mote may see that principle quickening
and liberties of the kingdom in peace and and evolving in all its irresistible might,
unity.                               and that light bursting forth in its allPerhaps no great international transac- brightening glory.
tion has ever been so much misrepresent-  But we must not further pursue this
ed and maligned as the Solemn League line of thought, however attractive. Anand Covenant.  Even its defenders have other and a less delightful course of reoften exposed it and its authors to severe flection demands our notice. It has often
censures by their unwise modes of de- been said, that the Covenanters were cirfence. There can be no doubt in the cumvented by the English parliament,
mind of any intelligent and thoughtful and were drawn into a league with men
man, that on it mainly rests, under Provi- who meant only to employ them for their
dence, the noble structure of the British own purposes, and then either cast them
constitution. But for it, so far as man off, or subdue them beneath a sterner
may judge, these kingdoms would have sway than that of Charles. Were it even
been placed beneath the deadening bond- so, it might prove the treachery of the
age of absolute despotism; and in the fate English, but would expose the Covenantof Britain, the liberty and civilization of ers to no heavier accusation than that of
the world would have sustained a fatal unsuspecting simplicity of mind. They
paralyzing shock. This consideration ought to have first ascertained, men say,
alone might bid the statesman pause be- what form of Church government Engfore he ventures to condemn the Solemn land intended to adopt, before they had
League and Covenant. But to the Chris- consented to the league. And yet the
tian we may suggest still loftier thoughts. same accusers fiercely condemn the ScotThe great principles of that sacred bond tish Covenanters for attemping to force
are those of the Bible itself  It may be their own Presbyterian forms upon the
that Britain was not then, and is not yet, people of England. The former accusain a fit state to receive them, and to make tion manifestly destroys the latter. That
them her principles and rules of national the Covenanters did not attempt to force
government and law; but they are not Presbyterians upon England, is proved
on that account untrue, nor even imprac- by the fact, that they entered into the
ticable; and the glorious predictions of league without any such specific stipulainspired Scripture foretell a time when they tion; and they sought no such stipulation,
will be more than realized, and when all because it was contrary to their principles
the kingdoms of this earth shall become either to submit to force in matters of rethe kingdoms of Jehovah and of his ligion, or to attempt using force against
Anointed, and all shall be united in one other free Christian men.  It argues,
solemn league and covenant under the t.erefore, ignorance both of their princiKing of kings and Lord of lords. And ples and of their conduct, to bring against
though that time may be yet far distant, them an accusation so groundless and sc
who may presume to say that the seem- base. They consented to lend their aid
ingly premature and ineffectual attempt to England in her day of peril, in which
to realize it by the heavenly-minded pa- peril they were themselves involved: bu




188             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VI.
they left to England's assembled divines velopement of all the stormy passions that
the grave and responsible task of reform- rage within the heart of striving and reing their own Church; lending merely, vengeful human nature; in Scotland. it
as they were requested, the assistance of was governed, chastened, and even halsome of their own most learned, pious, lowed, by the controlling presence of a
and experienced ministers, to promote the sacred principle, by which man's wrath
great and holy enterprise. For that they was checked, subdued, or turned aside,
have been and they will be blamed by till truth prevailed, and victory  was
witlings, sciolists, and  infidel philoso- crowned with peace. England's fierce
phers; but what England's best and wars for civil liberty laid her and her ungreatest men sought with earnest desire, fortunate assistant prostrate beneath the
and received with respect and gratitude, feet of an iron-hearted usurper and desScotland need never be ashamed that her pot. Scotland's calm and bloodless devenerable covenanted fathers did not de- fence of religious purity and freedom secline to grant.                       cured to her those all-inestimable blessYet in one respect they did, in our ings, broke the chains of her powerful
opinion, err. They allowed their Solemn neighbour, revealed to mankind a princiLeague to involve them  too deeply in ple of universal truth and might, and
matters of a strictly civil character. This poured into her own crushed heart a
was, indeed, what England      chiefly stream of life, sacred, immortal. and disought; but the very fact that in their vine.
preliminary conferences the English com-  As the very object for which the
missioners argued for a civil league alone, Solemn  League  and  Covenant was
ought to have made the Scottish doubly framed was to secure the utmost practicawary of the dangers into which they ble degree of uniformity in the religious
might be drawn. Their best apology, worship of both countries, and as the Enghowever, consists in the fact, that they lish divines had already met at Westwere compelled by stern necessity to save minster to take the whole subject into the
the civil liberties of England, or to incur most deliberate consideration, and had rethe eminent hazard of losing speedily quested the assistance of commissioners
their own religious fieedom.  They had from the Church of Scotland, the General
gained, by a long and arduous, but blood- Assembly named some of the most emiless struggle, all for which they strove; nent of their ministers and elders as comand they might naturally cherish the missioners to the Westminster Assembly.
hope that the same result would crown These were, Alexander Henderson, Robthe efforts of their English brethren. ert Douglas, Robert Baillie, George
Thus were they, by necessity and hope, Gillespie, and Samuel Rutherford, minisdrawn into a new and more desperate ters: and the Earl of Cassilis, Lord Maitcontest, destined to have a very different land (afterwards Lauderdale), and Sir
termination, which their utmost efforts Archibald Johnston of Warriston, elders.
were not able to avert. Being once en- It does not appear that either the Earl of
gaged in this new conflict, they were in- Cassilis or Robert Douglas attended the
evitably borne along in the mighty move- Westminster Assembly during its proments of the more powerful nation, and tracted labours; but so efficient were the
made to share, with equal unwillingness, other commissioners, that their absence
in its crimes and in its self-inflicted pun- produced no injury to the cause of Presishment. Andlet itbe carefullyobserved, bytery.  We have already briefly charthat the difference between the conduct acterised Henderson, Baillie, and Gillesof the English parliament in the great pie; and few need to be informed respectcivil war, and of the Covenanters, in their ing the character of Rutherford, his well
time of struggle, consisted in, and was known " Letters" being in almost univercaused by this,-that in England it was sal circulation, and held in the highest
essentially a contest in defence, or for the esteem by all who are able to appreciate
assertion of civil liberty,-in Scotland for their merits.  But even these " Letters"
religious purity and freedom.  In Eng- convey an inadequate view of that extraland, therefore, it was guided by a secu- ordinary man. His writings on the great
lar principle, ind permitted the free de- controversial subjects of the period show




A. D. 1643.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    189
him to have been not only very learned, tians has an entire and complete power
but also and especially to have been one of jurisdiction over its members in all reof the deepest thinkers of that or any age. ligious matters, to be exercised by its
Many have asserted that his work called elders within itself, and by its own sole
"Lex Rex" is of anti-monarchical, and authority. These amounted to ten or
even democratic character; and on the twelve, and were men of considerable
strength of such an accusation it was con- ability, and exceedingly pertinacious in
demned and burnt by the sycophantic maintaining their opinions.  Thirdly,
minions of Charles II. That it is opposed the Presbyterians, who formed the mato despotism is very certain; but it is as jority of the Assembly, and generally
certain that it contains no principle con- coincided with the opinions of the Scottrary to those embodied in the British tish commissioners. But as this latter
constitution. Such principles, indeed, had party, though most numerous, was but innot been then recognised and assented to differently acquainted with the Presbyteby either kings or parliaments; but if rian polity, having little knowledge of
their statement by Rutherford was pre- any other than the Prelatic form  of
mature, let it always be remembered that Church government, the task of explainsome person must sow the seed of which ing and vindicating Presbytery devolved
others may reap the fruit; and it ill be- chiefly upon the Scottish divines, who
comes those who are practically enjoying were admirably qualified for the imporwhat he theoretically maintained, to re- tant duty.*
peat even yet the slanderous accusations  The first struggle in the Westminster
uttered by the enemies of liberty against Assembly was with the Erastians, and
a work which they have not done them- took place at the very commencement of
selves the justice to peruse.        their labours.  In preparing for their
It would lead us into what might seem  great task, they had stated that, " in ina digression beyond our province, and quiring after the officers belonging to the
certainly beyond our limits, to attempt Church of the New Testament, we find
any adequate account of the Westminster that Christ, who is Priest, Prophet, King,
Assembly. As, however, it is intimately and Head of the Church, hath fulness of
connected with the history of the Church power, and containeth all other offices by
of Scotland, we must very briefly give an way of eminency in himself. He being
outline of its character and proceedings. ascended far above all heavens, and fillBefore the arrival of the Scottish com- ing all things, hath given all officers nemissioners, both the English parliament cessary for the edification of his Church."t
and the Westminster Assembly had de- From this preface necessarily followed
termined on the abolition of Prelacy in the proposition, that the government of
the Church of England. It was also fully the Church was distinct from that of the
resolved, that a great reformation should civil magistrate,-neither derived from
take place in all religious matters; but it, nor subordinate to it. This the Eraswhat form of Church government, and tians opposed; but though they were
what rules of discipline should be adopted, easily defeated in the Assembly, they triwere subjects on which the greatest dif- umphed in the parliament, which, after
ferences of opinion prevailed.  There many evasions, finally refused to sancwere three great parties in the Westmin- tion that important proposition.  The
ster Assembly:-First, the Erastians, struggle with the Independents was of
who held that it belonged only to the much longer duration.  Many weeks
civil magistrate to inflict church censures, were often expended in debating a single
as well as civil punishments; and, gen- topic, for that party within the Assembly
erally, that the civil magistrate is the were in a state of intimate connection
proper head, the source and ruler of all with the political Independents in the
power, ecclesiastical as well as civil. army, who dreaded nothing so much as
That party was active and vehement, but the conclusion of the Assembly's labours,
not numerous, consisting chiefly of law- their possible ratification by the parliayers, and only one or two ministers. ment, and the consequent termination of
Secondly, the Independents, who held that
every individual congregation of Chris-   Lightfoot, Pitman's it., ol. xiii., p. 23




190             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI
hostilities before their own schemes were characterise too  strongly the  tenets
ready for execution. We cannot prose- and conduct of the almost innumerable
cute the task of tracing the intrigues of sects whom this plea of general toleration
the Independents in the Assembly, in would have included, must be obvious to
parliament, and in the army, but we may every person tolerably acquainted with
briefly state the result. They contrived the history of the period.*  Against a
to embarrass, retard, and overreach the toleration of this kind not only the PresAssembly, till they were able to subvert byterians, but also the most respectable
all its labours, so far as England was and religious of the Independents themconcerned; they kept the parliament in selves, strenuously protested.  But the
a state of confusion and indecision with political party prevailed; the cry of totheir intrigues, till they had the power to leration was a specious war-cry; and
suppress it altogether; and they contrived even to the present day is often raised by
so to balance the king's obstinacy against people in whose mouths it means mere
both Assembly and parliament, as to par- licentiousness.
alyze both him and them, till having ob-  Allusion has already been made to a
tained the opportunity which they sought, principle which accounts for the number
they put the unhappy monarch to death, of strange fanatical sects which appeared
and placed the sceptre in the iron grasp in England at this period. The prelatic
of military despotism.               Church of England had allowed the
There is one point on which an almost body of the community to remain in deep
universal misunderstanding, to give it the ignorance; and.when that Church was
most gentle designation, prevails.  The overthrown so suddenly, and nothing
Presbyterians are perpetually accused not ready to supply its place, the people were
only of wishing to force their peculiar left to. follow all the wild and enthusiasecclesiastical polity upon England, but tic fancies which such a time of intense
also of such extreme intolerance, that excitement was certain to produce in
they would not permit that liberty of strong but uncultivated minds. In Scotconscience to others which they so land, on the other hand, the overthrow
strenuously demanded for themselves. In- of Prelacy had no other effect than that
to a full discussion ot this subject our of permitting the Presbyterian Church to
limits will not permit us to enter; but put forth its native powers among a
truth and duty compel us to offer a few people by whom its principles were unremarks.  It will be remembered that derstood and cherished, and its discipline
the Independents formed only a small beloved and revered. And notwithstandminority in the Westminster Assembly, ing all the calumnies which have been
and consequently it was impossible that heaped upon our Presbyterian ancestors,
their form of Church government could it may be safely and most truly averred,
obtain the sanction of that body. Find- that intolerance, in the right sense of the
ing their endeavours unsuccessful in the word, never was the characteristic of the
Assembly, they had recourse to political Presbyterian Church. Expressions of a
intrigues, and to give the most plausible severe  aspect against that toleration
aspect to their proceedings, they put forth which included all kinds of blasphemous
a claim for general toleration of all forms and immoral licentiousness, may be found
and kinds of religious worship. Be it in the writings of our fathers, and may
observed, that they became advocates of be warped and misinterpreted by party
toleration only after they had failed in writers; and we may even admit that
obtaining the ascendency of their own they were not at all times sufficiently
opinions. And to what did this tolera- guarded in their language; but if any
tion amount?    To the unrestrained thing like a fair allowance be made for
license of every man, or knot of men, to the spirit of the times, and the peculiar cirutter sentiments in public, however cumstances amidst which they acted and
blasphemous and revolting to reason wrote, they will stand completely vindiand common sense; and to practise, cated from the charge of intolerance and
in the name of worship, immoralities spiritual despotism.
and indecencies of a nature too gross
anto be mencies of a natu  e dto gnot   For a sufficient account of this subject, let the
to be mentioned!    That we do not reader consult Edward's Gangrena.




A. D. 1645.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   191
[1644.] But we must leave the West- paratively defenceless, in consequence of
minster Assembly, and return to what its most experienced generals and best
more particularly concerns the Church of troops being in England. The report of
Scotland.  The   subscribing  of the the commissioners was received with
Solemn League and Covenant bound the great approbation, and the directory for
two kingdoms of England and Scotland public worship which they brought with
by a mutual defensive bond, in all that re- them received the sanction of the Assemgarded religion, which both thus vowed bly. A very important act was passed
to maintain.  In consequence of this mu- for the advancement of learning, the
tual league, the Scottish army again en- principles and regulations of which retered England, for the purpose of co- fleet great credit on the enlightened men
operating with that of the parliament. by whom it was framed. Another very
This took place on the 19th of January remarkable act was that entitled " A So1644, under the command of General lemn and Seasonable Warning," &c., in
Leslie, now Earl of Leven, Lieutenant which a clear and strong view is taken
General Baillie, and   Major-General of the causes of the national disasters by
David Leslie.  A great change speedily which they were at that time agitated and
took place in the state of affairs in Eng- alarmed. A remonstrance was also writland, the king being unable to make ten, addressed to the king, in which the
head against the combined armies. The Assembly expressed the most earnest decourse of the military operations which sire for peace on religious terms; and lettook place we do not intend to trace. It ters were sent to the Westminster Asmay, however, be stated, that the English sembly.
parliament was warm or cold in its pro-  All historians admit that the meteorfessions of regard to the Solemn League like career of Montrose was one of the
and Covenant, and to the uniformity of causes of his sovereign's ruin.  It gave
religion in the two kingdoms exactly in the unfortunate king so much confidence
proportion to its need of Scotland's mili- in what he esteemed a propitious change
tary aid; *-proving completely what has in the aspect of his affairs, that he broke
been suggested, that the contest in Eng- off negociations with his antagonists;
land was chiefly waged for the sake of and it furnished another proof of the decivil liberty, but in Scotland for the puri- ceitful character of his whole dealings,
ty and freedom of religion.          endeavouring to keep them in terms of
Nothing of peculiar importance was treaty till he might be able,to overpower
transacted in the General Assembly which them. The career of Montrose, if what
met at Edinburgh on the 31st of May his admirers call brilliant, was but brief.
1644. Its time was occupied chiefly with He was surprised and defeated by David
letters from the Scottish commissioners at Leslie, at Philiphaugh, near Selkirk, on
Westminster, and from the English di- the 13th of September, and with his devines, and with returning answers to these feat vanished the last hopes of Charles to.etters. A new presbytery was erected re-establish his power by force of arms.
at Biggar; the declaration of the Scot- With regard to the military achievements
tish royalist nobles at Oxford was cen- of Montrose, the barbarities which he
sured; and some additional salutary acts perpetrated, and the retaliations alleged
were passed for the encouragement of to have been committed by the army of
learning, similar to those of former As- the Covenanters, we do not think it nesemblies.                             cessary to occupy space, further than to
[1645,] The Assemblymet on the 22d state, that while we have no sympathy
of January 1645, earlier than had been with those who luxuriate over tales of
intended, on account of urgent business wholesale butchery on the battle-field, and
which demanded its attention. Baillie, cities sacked amid all the nameless atroGillespie, and Warriston, had come to cities of civil war, we have as little with
give an account of the progress made by those who either wail piteously over the
the Westminster Assembly; and Mon- death of the chief murderer, or exult in
trosewas spreading terror and devastation that melancholy fate which generally
through the kingdom, which was com- overtakes the bloody and deceitful man.
Baillie, passim.          [1646.]  The defeat of his own army




192            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI.
and of that of Montrose also, reduced the his spirit to Him who gave it. Thus
unhappy king to a state of desperation; passed away from  earth one of those
and after a few miserable months of irre- gifted men whom the Ruler of all events
solution, he at last fled in disguise to the sends forth in time of great emergency,
Scottish army, early in May 1646. Ru- to mould the minds of his fellow-men,
mours had previously been spread that he and aid in working out the will of the
might possibly take that very step, and Most High.  He was one of the most
the Covenanters were particularly anx- distinguished of an age fertile in great
ious that he should not, foreseeing clear- men; and with all due veneration for the
ly the dangerous position into which it names of Knox and Melville, we do them
would throw them.*    Soon after the no discredit when we place that of Henking's arrival in the Scottish army they derson by their side,-the " first three"
marched northwards to Newcastle, where of the Church of Scotland's worthies.
they remained during the tedious nego-  The General Assembly met at Edintiations which followed. The Scottish burgh on the 3d of June 1646. Its acts
nobility, army, and nation in general, were neither numerous nor important,
would most willingly have encountered having reference chiefly to the troubled
every danger in his defence, if he could state of the kingdon, and to such acts of
have been prevailed upon to ratify the fasting, humiliation, and prayer, as might
Covenant. But the infatuated monarch tend to avert the judgments of God from
remained obstinate; and as they regarded a guilty and suffering land. A short but
the sanctity of an oath as more binding respectful letter was sent to the king, exthan the mere feelings of natural loyalty pressing the earnest wish that God would
and affection to the person of their sove- incline his majesty's heart to the speedy
reign, they felt themselves constrained to following of the counsels of truth and
leave him to his fate. Yet they perceived peace.
both his danger and their own; and in  For a short time there was calmness
order to save him, if possible, Alexander and silence in the kingdom,-not the siHenderson left London and hastened to lence of peace, but that of breathless exNewcastle, for the purpose of endeavor- pectation. All men perceived that upon
ing to persuade the obstinate king to the determination of the king would deabandon his inveterate prejudices, sub- pend the cessation of the struggle, or its
scribe the Covenant, and rally round him fresh outburst into tenfold violence. The
the brave hearts and strong arms of his revolutionary party in England dreaded
faithful and unconquered Scottish subjects. that his majesty might yield, and gradualCharles would not be persuaded.  He ly recover his power, limited undoubtedly,
was possessed by the idea, that neither of but rendered thereby the more secure.
the contending parties could do without The Presbyterians hoped and prayed
him, and consequently that, even though that he might submit so far as that with a
he had been beaten in the field, they must safe conscience they might indulge their
yield to him when they found that he loyal feelings. The prelatists alone idenwould not yield to them.             tified his cause and their own, seeing no
The English parliament sent proposi- prospect of restoration to wealth and
tions to his majesty, by acceding to which power unless he should regain unlimited
he might obtain peace, and the restoration ascendency. And the king knew well,
to a large measure of regal power; but that no other party but the prelatic would
he would not accede to their propositions, submit to that arbitrary prerogative which
any more than to the Scottish Covenant. he was determined to forego only with
Henderson, worn out with his many and his life. In vain did the Scottish noblearduous toils, and overwhelmed with af- men and ministers implore him with tears
fiction on account of the miseries which to subscribe the Covenant. He peremp.
the infatuated king was so manifestly torily refused; and as they could not debringing upon himself and the kingdom, fend him without incurring the fearful
relinquished his hopeless task, returned to guilt of perjury, they were compelled to
Edinburgh in a state of great weakness, leave him to perish in his blind wilfulness.
and on the 19th of August yielded up   Into the controversy respecting the' Baillie, vol. ii. p. 341.  question whether the Scottish army was




A. D. 1647]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    193
induced to yield Charles to the English earlier stages of this great contest Degan
parliament by the payment of the arrears to be rent asunder by political intrigues.
due to them, we do not enter, further than Although the Covenanters had been
to say, that there is not, in our opinion, compelled to abandon the king on acthe slightest ground in genuine historical count of his impregnable obstinacy, they
documents to prove that there was any still cherished sentiments of devoted loyconnection whatever between the receiv- alty to him as their sovereign, and a sining of the arrears and the yielding up of cere attachment to monarchy, as, when
the king; while there is ample evidence, duly limited, the best form  of civil
that Charles, having lost all hope of be- government.  They deplored the king's
guiling the Scits into an act at once of willfulness; they mourned  the ruin
perfidy and perjury, was himself desirous which it was bringing on the whole
of attempting to negotiate separately with country; they remonstrated with the Enghis English subjects, believing them to lish parliament, and did every thing to
be more tractable. If there was infamy procure the safety of the king and the
in the transaction, that infamy ought to peace of the kingdom  which it was in
rest solely and exclusively upon the Eng- their power to do, short of violating their
lish parliament and army, who strained National Covenant. But the intrigues of
every nerve and employed every artifice the Hamiltonian party began to prevail
to compel or delude their Scottish breth- in the Scottish parliament. Lauderdale
ren into compliance with their pernicious joined them, regardless of his Covenant
schemes, and rested not till they had ad- vow; and even Loudon was for a time
ded to the guilt of a broken Covenant the carried away in the tide of defection.
murder of a dethroned king.           The Duke of Hamilton was still the os[1647.] The General Assembly which tensible head of the royalist party in
met at Edinburgh on the 4th of August Scotland; but his brother the Earl of
1647, is chiefly memorable for its ratifi- Lanark, surpassed him both in zeal and
cation of the Confession of Faith of the activity, and was the prime mover in all
Westminister Assembly of Divines, and the intrigues of the party. At length, in
for the adoption of that translation and a private interview with King Charlesat
metrical version of the Psalms which is Garisbrook Castle, in the Isle of Wight,
still used in the Church of Scotland. on the 27th of December, a secret treaty
This, therefore, may be regarded as the was concluded, in which Lanark and
Assembly by which was completed the Lauderdale, in the name of their party,
Second  Reformation  of the   Scottish engaged to raise an army in Scotland for
Church, and the full arrangement of its the purpose of assisting his majesty in
Confession, form of Worship and Disci- his attempts to regain possession of the
pline, as they exist at the present day, and English throne,-his majesty engaging,
as we trust they will ever exist, till the on his part, to confirm  Presbyterian
second coming of Him who is the only church government for three years, till
Head and King of the Church. Several an assembly of divines, aided by twenty
important acts were passed by this As- commissioners of his nomination. should
sembly; in particular, some very excel- frame such a form of church government
lent directions for private worship, and an and discipline as they should find to be
elaborate " Brotherly  Exhortation" to most agreeable to the Word of God.
their brethren of England.  It may be He engaged also, that all schism and
added, that Gillepsie's able work, entitled heresy should be effectually suppressed.
Aaron's Rod Blossoming," received the This private treaty, known by the name
approbation of this Assembly; and eight of the Engagement, caused the overthrow
of its leading propositions were engrossed of the Church and kingdom  of Scot
in one of the acts.*                  land.*
In the meantime, the unanimity which  [1648.] Early in 1648 the rumour of
had given strength to Scotland in the the Engagement began to transpire in' In that peculiarly acute and profound work will be Scotland; and when the parliament met
found the very essence of the Westminster Assembly's in March, and the terms of this private
most important discussions on the subject of church
government, with the arguments employed against treaty were divulged, a vehement disunitboth the Erastians and the Independents, and answers
to the most elaborate productions of their chief writers.* Burnet's Memoirs, p. 334..
25




194             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VI.
ing struggle began. The faithfil Cove- opposition.  To meet this dangerous
nanters perceived at once, that the En- divisive policy, the Assembly passed an
gagement involved the violation of their act censuring those ministers who either
most solemn vows. The Commission of favoured the Engagement openly, or abthe Church immediately met, and de- stained from pointing out its sinfulness,
liberated what steps ought to be taken in and warning their people against enterthis new crisis. They did not deliberate ing its bond. A respectful but firm suplong. They felt the deep power of the plication was also written to his majesty
Covenant upon their souls too mighty showing the insufficiency of the concesfor any earthly consideration to shake; sions promised by him in the Engageand, accordingly they framed a declara- ment, and its positive sinfulness, as tendtion, pointing out the sinfulness of an ing to involve the kingdom in perjury;
Engagement which involved direct per- and imploring him to comply with the
jury, and must draw down the Divine Covenant, and thereby to enable them,
displeasure on both Church and State. with a safe conscience, to give him that
But the purely political or royalist party support which their sincere loyalty and
had obtained the ascendency in the par- affection prompted them to bestow so far
liatment; and the earnest remonstrances as their duty to God would permit.*
of the sincere Covenanters were disre-  From this time forward Scotland pregarded.  The arguments of the minis- sented a melancholy contrast to the ten
ters confirmed those of the nobility who preceding years, in which strict adherregarded religion as of more importance ence to the Covenant had given it union
than any earthly  consideration, and and strength irresistible. It was now dibrought back some whom political and vided  into three contending parties.
personal motives had led astray, among First, the sincere Covenanters, led in the
whom was the Earl of Loudon; but the parliament by Argyle and Loudon, and
majority held on their course, and deter- in the Church by Rutherford and Gillesmined to fulfill the Engagement to the pie; second, the framers of the Engageutmost of their power.               ment, led by Hamilton, Lanark, and
The Assembly met at Edinburgh on Lauderdale, who wished to take an inthe 12th of July, and made choice of termediate position, and who were joined
George Gillespie to be moderator. They by a considerable number of the minisnot only approved of the declaration and ters, of whom Baillie was the most resother similar writings of the Commission, pectable. The third party was headed
but passed an act condemnatory of that by Traquair and Callender, and was
act and declaration of the parliament composed chiefly of those who were dewhich enjoined all subjects to subcribe a termined royalists of the cavalier caste,
bond, equivalent to an oath, in support and paid little respect to either oaths or
of the Engagement. They further pub- treaties, provided they could get their
lished a declaration and exhortation to purposes accomplished. The two latter
all members of the Church of Scotland, parties were easily induced to coalesce,
pointing out the unlawfulness of the En- and their junction gave them a decided
gagement, and warning against the dan- preponderance in the political councils of
gers in which it would certainly involve the nation. That the genuine Covenantthe Church and nation.  An able an- ers could not unite with such men, will
swer was also written to the committee of excite neither wonder nor surprise in the
estates, proving by scriptural arguments minds of those who are able to appreci,
that the Engagement was inconsistent ate their principles; and that the chiefs
with the safety and security of religion. of the Engagement should attempt to
And, as the Hamiltonian faction was overwhelm them by invectives, and try
well aware of the power which the to represent them as seditious and fanatiChurch had recently put forth, when it cal, is only what was to be expected.
raised the kingdom like one man for the But that men can yet be found to repeat
defence of religious liberty,they employed such slanderous calumnies, might appear
every artifice to bring as many ministers incredible, were it not matter of daily ocas possible to their side, by that means- crrence.
either to procure support or to neutralize  Records of the Churchl orScotland, pp. 197-508, 515




A. D. 1649.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   195
They were, and are, accused of an un- Engagers had left Scotland, there were
warranted and intolerable interference symptoms of insurrection among the
with civilmatters, with which the church- people, who, refusing to join the En
men of them at least had nothing to do. gagement, were severely harassed by
But was not the whole struggle of that those employed to levy troops. A small
memorable period expressly on account band of insurgents assembled at Mauchof religion? Had it not been from the line, but were easily suppressed by Midfirst a religious contest on both sides? dleton. As soon as the tidings of HamilAnd was not their bond of union strictly ton's defeat reached Scotland, the oppoa religious covenant? Nay, the Hamil- nents of the Engagement assembled, astonian party sought to inveigle the minis- sumed arms, and, led by the Marquis of
ters into approbation of the Engagement, Argyle and the Earls of Cassilis, Eglinfinding no fault with their intermeddling ton, and Loudon, advanced towards Edwith such matters, provided they would inburgh in such strength as the remainsupport that measure; and when the ing Engagers could not h,-e successfully
ministers could neither be deceived nor to resist. By this, termed'he Whigaoverawed, but continued steadfastly to more's Raid, a complete change of adadhere to their solemn vows, warning ministration was effected, and the Coveothers of the guilt and danger of perjury, nanters acquired the ascendancy in the
then only were they accused of overstep- Scottish parliament. The new adminisping their province, and interfering with tration easily convinced Cromwell that
what was beyond their jurisdiction. Pol- they were in no respect accessory to the
iticians have in all ages and countries Engagement which had caused the invashown themselves willing enough to em- sion of England by the Scottish army;
ploy and praise the ministers of religion, and thus hostilities between them  and
provided they would act as sycophants that remarkable man were for the time
and tools; but when they act as the vi- averted.
gilant watchmen of sacred rights, warn-  [1649.] The Scottish parliament met
ing the nation of coming danger, then on the 4th of January 1649, and prothey are exposed to the most virulent and ceeded to take steps for the peace and sevituperative censure; then are they curity of the kingdom. One of these
charged with arrogant presumption in of- was of a very stringent nature, and has
fering their opinions on those public been much censured. It was obvious to
measures which essentially affect the in- all, that the late Engagement could not
terests of religion; then they are branded have been framed if all men in power
as men who wish to subvert the order of had been Covenanters, and had remained
society, and bring the State into subser- true to their vows. While therefore, the
viency to the Church. So was it in the new parliament repealed all the acts that
days of our ancestors —so is it now-  had been made for its enforcement, and
and so will it ever be, as long as there is ratified the protestation against it, this
need for the Christian precept, " Be not was naturally followed by the idea, that
conformed to the world."             unless men of such principles were exOne of the direct results of this divis- eluded from places of public trust and
ion between the Covenanters and the influence, the very same evil might at no
mere politicians, was the necessity of ap- distant date return. An act was accordpointing new commanders to the hastily- ingly passed, called the Act of Classes,
levied and ill-equipped army of the En- on account of its dividing into four sepgagers; for neither the Earl of Leven arate classes, according to their respective
nor David Leslie would abandon the degrees of delinquency, the characters ot
Covenant.  The Duke of Hamilton, persons not to be intrusted with power.
therefore, was made general,-led his Men will term this act one of bigotry
army into England,-was defeated by and intolerance: it evidently aimed at the
Cromwell,-and died on the scaffold,- construction of whatthe world has never
the unhappy victim of ill-judging devo- yet seen,-a Christian government, corntion to his sovereign's person rather than posed of men whose i ling principle
his cause.* Even before the army of the should be to " fear God and honour the
Burnet's Memoirs, p. 400; Ibid., pp. 367, 375.  king."




196             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CAP. VLI..
While this parliament was sitting, they rule for the appointment of ministers for
received intelligence that the English all time coming.* It will be observed,
parliament, now moulded according to that in this instance the parliament acted
the mind -of the army, was about to pro- accordingg to the dictates of sound reason
ceed with the trial of King Charles. and constitutional principle. Sofar as paThe most strenuous exertions were made tronage was considered as a civil right,
by the truly loyal Covenanters to pre- it was for the civil power to restrict or
vent the fearful event in which a trial by abolish it; but as the appointment of
such men would too surely issue.  But ministers was clearly an ecclesiastical
all their endeavours were in vain; and matter, it was not for parliament to interthe English parliament, having first bro- fere with it, but merely to call on the
ken the Solemn League and Covenant, Assembly to state its own method, and
consummated their guilt by the decapita- then give to that such civil ratification an
tion of their king. It is impossible not to should carry with it the civil consequen
deplore the fate of that unfortunate, ill- ces which it involved. And it was a par
advised, and obstinate monarch; but it liament composed almost wholly of Cov
is as impossible to deny that his insin- enanters, by which this truly liberal and
cerity anddouble-dealing caused his over- enlightened act was passed.
throw and death. For when, by the dis-  The General Assembly met at Edincovery of private correspondence, it was burgh on the 7th of July 1649. This
clearly proved, that in the very act of Assembly emitted several able declaraframing treaties he was devising schemes tions respecting the religious affairs of
for setting them aside, it became plain to the kingdom, the prevailing errors and
his antagonists that they must ultimately abuses, and the best methods of promobecome the victims of a monarch whom  ting and maintaining peace, righteousno treaties could bind, unless they secured ness, and purity, which are the essential
their own lives by the death of their im- elements of national welfare. A letter
placable foe.                         was also addressed to the young king,
The leaders of the English parlia- who was still on the Continent, warning
ment and army were, besides, men of re- him  earnestly against listening to the
publican principles, and desired the abo- evil council of those who had already
lition of the monarchy itself. Not so the plunged the kingdom into the horrors of
Scottish Covenanters. They, even by the war, and beseeching him to sanction those
terms of their Covenant, were the vowed great National Covenants, which would
supporters of a monarchy based upon open the door for him to enter upon his
and pervaded throughout by Scripture royal government with the favour of God
principles. No sooner, theretore, did they and the cordial love of his faithful and
receive the melancholy intelligence of loyal subjects. Another act was passed
their sovereign's death, than they has- regarding the reception, on proof of retened to proclaim his son king, by the de- pentance, of those who had been sussignation of Charles II.; not omitting, pended from  church privileges on achowever, in their proclamation, the sig- count of their connection with the Ennificant intimation that their support of gagement, and generally of all those
his pretensions to the throne would in- who, from prelatic and despotic predilecvolve the necessity of his subscribing the tions, had opposed the Covenant, and
Covenant. This proclamation was made were known by the designation of  rnaon the 5th of February. At the same lignants," by which was meant, persons
time, the Confession of Faith was for- ill-affected towards the progress of r elimally ratified by parliament.         gious reformation.  Then taking up the
On the 9th of March 1649, the Scot- subject of the appointment of ministers,
tish parliament passed an act abolishing according to the request of the parliapatronage in the Church of Scotland, ment, the Assembly passed an act,, enti-'as being unlawful and unwarrantable tied: Directory for the Election of Minoy the Word of God, and contrary to isters.   The chief points of that directhe doctrines  and  liberties  of this tory are, that the session, which at that
Church;" recommendingto the General time was elected by the congregation:
Assembly to determine upon a settled         Acts of Parliament, see Appendix.




A. D. 1650.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    197
should elect a minister, and intimate their sharpest and most fiery trial. It may be
election to the congregation for their ap- further remarked, that by this time sevprobation. If they consented, the pres-eral of the great men who had been
bytery were to proceed to the trial of his chiefly instrumental in effecting the Secqualifications; if a majority dissented, ond Reformation, had been called to
the presbytery were to judge of the same, their final rest. After the'death of Henand, unless they found the dissent to be derson, Gillespie was the man of greatfounded on causeless prejudices, another est influence; but he, too, died in Deelection was to take place; but if a mi- cember 1648. Baillie was not only timid
nority dissented, without being able to and wavering, but naturally inclined to
verify their ground of objection, the trials follow the guidance of men of worldly
and ordination should proceed, all possi- rank and power, and to sacrifice princible diligence and tenderness being used pie at the call of what he deemed expedito bring all parties to a harmonious ency. Rutherford did not possess that
agreement. In the case of a disaffected cast of mind requisite for the manageor malignant congregation, the presby- ment of great affairs in times of difficulty.
tery was to provide them with a minister.* Robert Douglas appears to have been
It will be seen at a glance, that this well- the fittest man to have led the councils of
known act was in perfect harmony with the Church; but he was deficient in penthe constitutional principles of the Church etration, confided too easily in other men,
of Scotland, as contained in the writings and did not sufficiently follow the dictates
and declarations of the early fathers of of his usual sound judgment. James
the First Reformation, and in the First Guthrie and Patrick Gillespie were both
and Second Books of Discipline; and as men of great abilities and decided piety;
by its means they were now     finally but both were somewhat-too impetuous
brought into full developement and free in temper, and liable to speak and act
operation, it formed the concluding act of with injudicious rashness, more likely to
the completed Second Reformation.     lead the Church into additional dangers
The Church of Scotland may now be than to extricate her from  those with
said to have reached mature organiza- which she was already surrounded. In
tion, but it was a period when the whole these adverse circumstances, the Church
kingdom was so completely filled with was left to encounter her long and fiery
elements of strife, threatening an imme- trial; that both her endurance and her
diate and tremendous convulsion, that it preservation might be manifestly the recould not obtain one peaceful day in suit, not of man's wisdom, but of the imwhich to exhibit the free movements of perishable life infused into her by her
its graceful and majestic form. Yet it Divine Head.
was well-it was providential-that it had  [1650.] Commissioners had been sent
obtained this full developement before it to Holland in the preceding year, to treat
was assailed by that terrific storm which with Charles II., but had returned withsmote it to the earth, and by which, at an out coming to any satisfactory conclusion.
earlier stage of its existence, it might Early in the year 1650, the parliament
have been utterly destroyed. All its vi- again sent commissioners to Breda, where
tal powers were now called into native the young king at that time was, once
operation; all its arrangements were more to enter into negotiations with him
completed; and it might have been ex- on the foundation of the Covenant. The
pected that it was about to enter on a glo- commissioners found Charles surrounded
rious career of pure, faithful, and ener- with dissolute and unprincipled  men,
getic zeal, in establishing the reign of likely enough to lead him into evil, had
religion in the hearts of the entire corn- he not been inclined, or to strengthen
munity. But the kingdom of Christ has those evil inclinations which were already
ever been a suffering kingdom; and it but too apparent in his whole conduct
may be, that when a church has most and character.    He was at that very
nearly realized the character and aspect time listening to the sanguinary councils
of the true gospel Church, then is its of Montrose, by whose means he hoped
hour at hand, not of triumph, but of to gain Scotland, without any treaty, the
- Acts of Assembly, see Appendix  terms of which might hamper his future




198             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. Vi,
proceedings. The intelligence of Mon- the kingdom. In the meanwhile the Astrose's defeat and capture reached him in sembly met at Edinburgh in July; bu
time to induce him to comply with the its records have not been published. We
requirements of the Scottish parliament, learn, however, from other sources, tha
though not till he had convinced the great dissatisfaction was expressed by the
more faithful of them that there was no- more zealous of the ministers with the
thing to be expected from him but dupli- whole behaviour of Charles, both in his
city and gross licentiousness. Living- deceitful conduct towards the commisstone, who was one of the commissioners sioners at Breda, and since his arrival in
from the Church, gives us ample proof Scotland. A commission was appointed
that Charles had broken the treaty, both to deal with those who had taken part
in its spirit and its letter, even before he with Montrose, and several ministers
left Breda.*  Indeed, the treaty might were deposed for that and similar ofjustly have been declared null by the fences. The proceedings of this Assemcottish parliament. In the capture of bly were interrupted by the approach of
Montrose a commission was found from  Cromwell, who was advancing at the
the king, giving him authority to levy head of a veteran army, to expel the
troops, and subdue the kingdom by force young king.
of arms; and so highly did the parlia-  Charles now thought At was necessary
ment resent this treachery, that they sent to give greater satisfaction to the Church,
to recall their commissioners; but the one in order to procure a more cordial and
into whose hands this document fell con- universal support. But the mode of doing
cealed it from the rest, and by showing it so led to a complete and deplorable failprivately to the king, convinced him that ure.  He was advised to make a new
he could no longer safely temporize. He declaration, such as should satisfy the
accordingly hurried on board, and set sail desires of the most scrupulous.  This
for Scotland in company with the commis- advice was given both by his secular
sioners, bringing with him also a number friends, and by the wary and semi-politiof the very men whom the Act of Classes cal party in the Church. In this declarahad declared incapable of public trust. tion, subscribed by the king in August at
Before he landed, Charles subscribed the Dunfermline, Charles avowed that he
Solemn League and Covenant; although renounced  Popery and Prelacy, and
Livingstone, who doubted his sincerity, " would have no enemies but the enemies
was anxious that it should be postponed of the Covenant,-no friends but the
till his majesty should reach Scotland, fiiends of the Covenant."  Patrick Giland give some satisfactory proofs of his lespie requested the king " not to subsincerity. The young king landed on scribe that declaration, no, not for the
the 16th of June 1650, near the mouth three kingdoms, if he were not satisfied
of the river Spey, and advanced to Stir- in his soul and conscience, beyond all
ling, where he was met by the chief no- hesitation, of its righteousness."  Mr.
bility of the kingdom.               Gillespie, Mr. Gillespie," answered the
But instead of producing peace and king, "I am satisfied, I am satisfied, and
unanimity in Scotland, the arrival of therefore will subscribe."*  This ample
Charles was a signal for the instantane- declaration produced an effect directly
ous outburst of strife and confusion. His the reverse of that anticipated by its
loose, licentious habits, and depraved worldly-wise advisers. Instead of comheart, were not likely to conciliate the pletely satisfying the scrupulous, it con
affections and respect of the Covenanters; firmed their suspicions of the king's sin
while he could not brook what he re- cerity. This men of the world stigmagarded as the unnecessary strictness of tize as intolerant and narrow-minded
their opinions and manners. And al- distrust, but in worldly transactions they
though he complied with all the stipula- act upon the same principle. Is there
tions of the parliament, and affected re- anything which more certainly awakens
gard for the ministers, it was but too suspicion of a man's sincerity than his
apparent to all men of penetration that he strong and vehement professions of zealboth hated and despised all the best men of ous friendship to a person or cause to
Life of Livingstone, pp. 31-36.  ~ Cruickshank, p. 58; Hind let Loose, p. 9.




A. D. 1650.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   199
which his whole previous conduct and the other viewed religion itself through
his known sentiments have been de- the turbid and warping medium of politicidedly hostile?  So thought and felt the cal expediency, and therefore saw neither
more scrupulous ministers; and, as rea- religion nor politics in their true nature,
son perceives, and subsequent events tes- bearing, value, and reciprocal influences.
tified, they thought and felt rightly.  It may be that the strictly religious party
The explanation of the whole matter were too rigidly severe; but unquestionmay be briefly stated. There were then, ably their error was immeasurably less
as there always have been, two great par- than that of those who, following the sugties of public men; the one composed of gestions of short-sighted human policy,
those who judge and act according to urged upon the king an oath, which for
principle; the other, of those who are him to take was perjury in the very act,
guided by expediency. The first, led by and the inevitable consequences of which
P. Gillespie, J. Guthrie, S. Rutherford, were an impious mockery of Heaven,
and Warriston, were anxious not to press and the putting of power into the hands
the king to the subscription of the Cove- of men by whom it was certain to be
nant till they should have some evidence abused.
that he was in such a state of mind as  When Cromwell approached Edinmight render it in him indeed a religious burgh he was confronted by the Scottish
act, correspondent to the nature'of the army under the command of David Lessolemn obligation which it involved. Till lie; and so skilful were the movements
that time they were perfectly willing that of Leslie, that Cromwell found it impossihe should be their king; but should re- ble either to draw him to a battle, or to
main as much as possible aloof from all produce any impression on his lines.
intercourse with profane and irreligious The English general was constrained to
men. The other party thought it inex- retire, and was placed in the utmost peril
pedient to be so strict. They considered it by the masterly position taken up by the
enough if the king should subscribe the Scottish army near Dunbar. But urged
Covenant literally, however little his by the importunities of the committee of
mind might be accordant with its spirit; estates, Leslie descended from his comnot, apparently, perceiving, that this manding position; and before his army
would be an act of profane impiety, to had recovered from the confusion of this
which they could not hope the blessing ill-timed movement, it was assailed by
of God to be given. Their worldly pru- Cromwell, thrown into disorder and comdence suggested to them  the absolute pletely routed.  This disastrous battle
necessity of a complete national union, to was fought on the 3d of September 1650.
resist the formidable invasion of the  The shattered Scottish army rallied at
dreaded Cromwell; but they failed to Stirling, while Cromwell advanced deliperceive, that a union not of principle, berately, securing his conquest as he
but of compromise, can never be firm and moved. Soon after this disastrous conpermanent. They were willing to tam- flict a measure was proposed in the Scotper with the sacredness of an oath, in tish parliament, which had the effect of
order to frame a political bond; and by completely rending asunder the strength
this unhallowed expedient they forfeited of the kingdom. This was the proposal
the protection of Him whose Covenant to modify or rescind the Act of Classes,
they thus profaned.  They ought to so as to admit to the army those who had
have remembered that the Covenant been by that act declared incapable of
of 1638, which had proved an ark of public service, and by that means to resafety in a not less stormy sea of troubles, pair the loss incurred by the battle of
was sacredly guarded, as far as possible, Dunbar. The difficulty was to procure
from being subscribed by any of whose the consent of the Church to this repeal;
purity of character and devotion to the for since many of the malignants, as they
cause suspicions were entertained.  The were termed, had been excommunicated,
one party, in short, viewed all political and since, by the law of the land, no exand national transactions through the clear communicated person could be employed
medium of religion, and therefore saw  in public service, it was necessary to have
them in their true character and aspect: the excommunication taken off before the




200              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              CIIAP. VI.
parliament could grant them re-admis- this time forward the two parties in the
sion. But the Church was by no means Churci were known by the names of
satisfied that such men would form any Resolutioners and Protesters; the former
real accession of strength, though they being those who were carried away by
would swell the numerical forces of the secular and prudential views of expekingdom. About the same time a consi- diency; the latter, the uncompromising
derable body of troops was raised in the adherents of the Covenant. Many of the
western counties, composed chiefly of Resolutioners were men of great piety
men whose opinions coincided with those and worth, but somewhat deficient in
of the strictly religious Covenanters. A  firmness and decision of character; lovers
long and pointed remonstrance, written of peace to such an extent, as to be willby P. Gillespie, was addressed by them  ing to sacrifice some of their own princito the committee of estates, censuring their pies for its attainment. Of these David
rashness in admitting the king to dese- Dickson was one; but some years aftercrate the Covenant by swearing contrary wards, when the perfidy of Charles and
to his known intentions-" teaching his the malignants had become evident, he,
majesty dissimulation and outward com- on his death-bed, acknowledged, is error,
pliance, rather than any cordial conjunc- and admitted that the Protesters had seen
tion with the cause and covenants;" and these matters in a truer light than the
charging this and similar violations of Resolutioners had done. On the other
their vows as the cause of the nation's hand, there is reason to believe that the
heavy calamities. This western remon- Protesters injured their own good cause
strance gave great offence to the prudent by the somewhat intemperate vehemence
politicians of both Church and State. of this proceedings.
A meeting of the committee of estates  [1651.] The repeal of the Act of Classes
soon afterwards, at Stirling, was induced had greatly increased the number of the
to censure this remonstrance; and in adherents of Charles; and it was deterDecember, at Perth, an ensnaring ques- mined to delay lis coronation no longer.
tion was put to a very thin meeting of Accordingly he was publicly crowned at
the Commission of Assembly, respecting Scoon on the 1st of January 1651. A
what persons should be permitted to rise sermon was preached before the cere-'
in arms and join the forces of the king- mony by Robert Douglas; and the crown
dom against the invaders. In answer to was placed upon his head by the Marthis, the Commission passed two resolu- quis of Argyle. The National Covenant
tions favourable to the admission of all. and the Solemn League and Covenant
fencible persons in a time of such great were then read, and the king solemnly
and evident necessity, with the exception swore to observe and keep them both.
of excommunicated and profane persons, The oath to defend and support the
and of such as were professed enemies Church of Scotland was then adminisand opponents of the Covenant. Instantly tered to him; and kneeling and holding
the parliament, without regarding the ex- up his right hand, he uttered the followceptions, passed an act rescinding the Act ing awful vow: "By the Eternal and
of Classes, and throwing open all places Almighty God, who liveth and reigneth
of public trust and power to the malig- for ever, I shall observe and keep all
nants, upon their making such profes- that is contained in this oath 1"
sions of regret for past misconduct as  Following up their policy, they endeasuch persons made no scruple of doing, voured to suppress all opposition; and
without entertaining the remotest inten- ordered Guthrie and Bennet to repair to
tion of any change for the future.*   Perth, and answer to the king and the
These resolutions were openly con- committee of estates for their having
demned by J. Guthrie and his colleague dared to preach against the resolutions,
David Bennet, both from the pulpit and and for their letter to the Commission.
in a letter to the Commission, in which They appeared; but it was to give in a
they protested against the recent resolu- declinature of his majesty and the council
tions, which were, in their view, a sinful as proper judges of doctrine and of the
junction with the malignants.  From  discharge of duties strictly ministerial.
Balfour's Annales.       They were restricted to Perth and Dun



A. D. 1653.1    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   201
dee for a short time; but however will- completely accounts for the conduct of
ing to wound, their antagonists were as that deep-thinking and far-seeing man,
yet afraid to strike, and the prosecution during his stay in Scotland, and after his
was allowed to drop.*               return to England, in his public treatAn Assembly was appointed to meet at ment of the former country.  Having
St. Andrews in July, whence it was trans- made his observations, and formed his
ferred to Dundee; but intimation was at plans, Cromwell proceeded to put them in
the same time given, that all who were execution.
not satisfied with the resolutions should  Charles had taken up a strong position
be cited to the General Assembly, as lia- in the vicinity of Stirling, which the proble to censure. This rendered the Pro- tector perceived it would be dangerous to
testers incapable of being members, was a assail. He therefore turned the position
virtual prejudging of the question between of the king's army by crossing the Firth
them and their brethren, and completely at Queensferry; and marching northvitiated the character of the Assembly as wards, seized upon Perth, and cut the
a deliberate body. Against this course king off from his supplies. Charles reof procedure the Protesters again pro- solved upon a daring and csperate attested, denying the freedom and lawful- tempt to gain or lose the whole kingdom.
ness of the Assembly itself. For this, He broke up from his camp at Stirling,
James Guthrie, Patrick Gillespie, and and marched with all the expedition in
James Simpson were deposed; but, pro- his power into England, hoping that the
testing against this sentence, they con- royalists there would rise and join him
tinued to discharge their ministerial func- before Cromwell could approach. But
tions.t                             they were too much dispirited to make
The small western army was sup- the attempt; and Charles was overtaken
pressed by Cromwell without difficulty; and defeated at Worcester, on the 3d of
and Strachan, one of its leaders, a man September 1651, exactly a year after the
of unstable mind, joined the usurper. battle of Dunbar. The king fled, and,
While in Glasgow, Cromwell attended the after a number of perilous adventures,
churches of some of the Presbyterian escaped to France, to mourn his blighted
ministers, who did not hesitate to pray for hopes, or rather to waste his unhonoured
the king, and to term the protector a youth in dissipation and licentiousness.
usurper to his face. Some of his Inde- Cromwell did not think it necessary to
pendent preachers held a disputation in return to complete the subjugation of
his presence with the Presbyterian minis- Scotland, but left that task, no longer a
ters, on the principles of church govern- difficult one, to General Monk.
ment, to which that singular man listened  [1652.] The unhappy contest-between
with great apparent interest. It is prob- the Resolutioners and the Protesters conably that the Protector's intention in thus tinued to divide the Church so completely,
entering into personal and familiar con- that it no longer presented a rallying
tact with the people, and especially with point for either of the political parties.
the ministers of Scotland, was for the pur- The Resolutioners were the more numerpose of obtaining the means of forming ous; but the Protesters were favoured by
his opinion respecting their character and the English, so that their power reprinciples on the sure ground of his own mained nearly balanced. An Assembly
penetrating discernment. He knew that was attempted to be held at Edinburgh
the king and his party could not be in July 1652, theResolutioners assuming
trusted; and he was anxious to ascertain the right of calling, constituting, and conwhether the other party, though opposed ducting it, which was opposed by the
to him in many points, might not be so Protesters, with a new protestation, subfar conciliated as to submit peacefully to scribed by sixty-five ministers and about
his government when they should per- eighty elders. After spending about a
ceive resistance to be hopeless. That fortnight in useless altercations, it disthis was the real design of Cromwell, it solved, and its acts were not recorded.*
would be hazardous to affirm; but the  [1653.]  Another attempt was made to
conjecture has this to recommend it, that hold an Assembly at Edinburgh in July
Cruickshank, vol. i. p. 63. t Lamont's Diary, p. 40.  Lamont's Diary, p. 55.
26




202             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VI.
1653, but Lieutenant-Colonel Cottrel, at the students and the young preachers to
the head of a body of troops, entered the espouse his party. Rutherford was prohouse where the ministers were assem- fessor of theology at St. Andrews, where
bled, demanded on whose authority they his influence was still more direct and exmet,-whether that of Charles or the pro- tensive. Even at Aberdeen, a large protector? and, after the interchange of a portion of the young aspirants to the
few sentences with the moderator, Mr. D. ministry attached themselves to the party
Dickson, ordered them to leave the house, of the Protesters.  In this manner the
led them through the streets surrounded youth and growth of the Church was diby a band of soldiers, till he had con- rected in a very decided manner to that
ducted them a mile out of town; and then party which was unquestionably the most
commanded them to depart to their re- distinguished for piety and zeal; which
spective homes within the course of a day, was another preparative for the great apotherwise they should be held guilty of proaching trial.
a breach of the peace, and liable to pun-  [1655.] Another circumstance which
ishment. In this manner was the Gen- contributed not a little to strengthen the
eral Assembly also laid prostrate beneath Protestors, was the direct and authoritative
the power of the iron-handed ruler of the support given to them by Cromwell. In
English Commonwealth.*               1655 Cromwell gave a commission to
No further violence was used by Crom- Gillespie and some of his brethren, emwell against the Church of Scotland. powering them to settle the affairs of the
Some of the Resolutioners were exposed Church. This curious document proves,
to danger, because they would not cease that with all his previous attachment to
to pray for the king; but no force was the Congregational system, the protector
used to prevent them, and no punishments was in favour of an Established Church;
were inflicted. Synods and presbyteries and while it was obviously intended to
continued to hold their meetings as for- exclude all but Protesters, it expressly
merly, subject to an occasional visit from  provided that, in the induction of minissome of those strange enthusiasts who ters, respect should be had to the choice
abounded in the English army, and were of the most religious part of the people,
equally disposed for polemical as for mil- though that should not be the majority.*
itary contests. The contentions, mean- Baillie complains much of the severe prowhile, between the Resolutioners and the ceedings of the Protesters, in deposing
Protesters continued to rage with unabated some ministers, rejecting aspirants, and
bitterness, although with much less per- settling young men of their own party in
nicious results than would have taken preference to Resolutioners; but even
place had the Assembly been regularly with all his querulous complaints, it is
meeting from year to year. In that case, plain that they acted a much more lenient
this schism, the first which had taken and impartial part than they had it in
place in the church of Scotland since the their power to have done, and than their
Reformation, must have led to the posi- opponents did, at the commencement of
tive expulsion of the weaker party, and the struggle, when they set the example
thereby to an incurable division in the of deposition.  Many unseemly contests
Presbyterian Church, As it was, amid undoubtedly took place; and at times the
all their contests, they were perpetually Protesters, supported by the English
holding meetings to treat of a termination troops, appear to have dealt harshly toto their unseemly strife, and the forma- wards some of their keen opponents; but,
tion of a brotherly union. Yet there was nevertheless, from all that has been rea constant endeavour by each party to corded respecting that period, it appears
increase its own strength by every prac- that it was one of remarkable religious
ticabie method, and to weaken its antago- prosperity. The very contention of the
nist  In this the Protesters were more two great parties rendered indifference in
successful than their opponents. Patrick religious matters impossible on the part
Gillespie was appointed to the principal- of either pastors or people. And although
ship of Glasgow  College, where his the General Assembly was suspended, no
influence had a strong effect in drawing other part of church government and dis-' Lamont's Diary, pp. 69-71.'Nicoll's Diary, pp. 163.166.




A. D. 1653.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    203
cipline experienced the slightest interrup- is further to be remarked, that when we
tion; or, rather, every other part was read the writings of that period, we perthrown into more intense and vigorous ac- ceive at once a striking difference between
tion. The whole vitality of the kingdom  those of the Resolutioners and those of the
seemed to be poured into the heart of the Protesters.  The writings of the ProtesChurch, and all the strong energies ters are thoroughly pervaded by a spirit
of the Scottish mind were directed to re- of fervent piety, and contain principles of
ligious topics in a more exclusive manner the loftiest order, stated in language
than they had   ever previously been. of great force, and even dignity, of which
The very fact of the kingdom's complete we find but few similar instances in the
civil prostration beneath the power of productions of the Resolutioners.  To
Cromwell closed every other avenue of prove this assertion, it is enough to name
thought and action, and even compelled the works of Rutherford, Blair, Binning,
men to give their entire being to the pur- Guthrie of Fenwick, Durham, Traill,
suit of earnest, fervent, personal religion. Gray, Guthry of Stirling, and many
" I verily believe," says Kirkton, " there others, scarcely their inferiors. Among
were more souls converted to Christ the Resolutioners, we find none deservin that short period of time, than in any ing to be matched with these, but Leighseason since the Reformation, though of ton, who afterwards became a prelate;
triple its duration;"* and keeping the David Dickson, who acknowledged that
above considerations in mind, we may his party had erred; and Robert Dougadmit that the account which he gives of las, who also lived long enough to see
the state of religion at that time in Scot- that he had been mistaken and deceived.
land, though highly coloured, is never-  Before quitting the subject of the Resotheless, in all its main lineaments, a faith- lutioners and Protesters, there is one
ful representation of the truth.      point to which it is desirable that the
Throughout the whole of Scotland reader's attention should be directed. It
during the period of Cromwell's domin- will be remembered that the direct topic
ation, there prevailed a degree of civil which caused the contest between the two
peace beyond what had almost ever parties was the question respecting the
before been experienced.   This, too, propriety of repealing the Act of Classes,
should be taken into account, when we and admitting men of all professions in
peruse the memoirs and annals of the religion, and all varieties of character,
period; for there being no great public into the army, and to other places of
events to record, these gossiping chroni- power and influence in. a time of such
clers filled their pages with minute de- danger.  This the political-expediency
tails respecting the contests between the party resolved to do, and against this the
two parties in the Church, for lack of strict Covenanters protested. It is eviother materials to employ their talent for dent that the difference of opinion between
journalizing. It ought to be remembered them arose from the different positions
also, that although the Protesters enjoyed from which they viewed the same subthe favour and support o the protector to ject. Both were fully aware of the perila considerable extent, and might have ous state of the nation, and of the necesdone so much more if they had wished it, sity of adopting some strong measure to
they never compromised their principles, meet the emergency. But the one party
nor stooped to flatter the usurper. Very trusted chiefly in a combination of human
few of them were prevailed upon to take strength, though obtained by a sacrifice
the " tender," or acknowledgment of his of religious principle; the other, in the
authority and that of the English Corn- confession and abandonment of past ermonwealth, without a king or House of rors, the restoration and more strict
Lords, because they regarded it as im- enforcement of religious purity, and that
plying a violation of the Covenant.t calm trust in the protection and the
Patrick Gillespie appears to have been strength of God, under which, by such
the only minister in Scotland that ever procedure, they hoped to place their cause.
prayed publicly for the protector.  It The one party regarded national division' For a more ample account see Kirkton, pp. 48.65. as the main cause of the nation's weakt Rutherfoid opposed the tender aery keenlyi La-laite
uonthers Di ry p e 5     ery          ness; the other ascribed their calamities
sionit's Diary, p. 51.




204             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VI
to the prevalence of national sins, espe- in ordinary warfare, means may be em
cially to that violation of the National ployed, and results anticipated, more acCovenant which consisted in entrusting cording to the calculations and arrangeits enemies with the power to do it injury. ments of human wisdom, skill, and geIt is needless for shallow thinkers to nius. Not that, in the latter case, the overimagine they can decide the question ruling influence of Providence is more in
summarily, by terming the one party men abeyance than in the former, but that its
of enlightened and liberal sentiments, direct power is less conspicuously displayand the other narrow-minded and intol- ed. Now, the Covenanters regarded the,rant bigots. The Covenanters had seen war as as of a strictly religious characthe storm of war borne back innocuous ter, otherwise they would not have enfrom their mountain bulwarks but a few  gaged in it at all; and therefore they
years before, when not a man was allowed could not, they dared not, employ means
to take up arms in the sacred cause of re  on which they could not implore and exligion who was not believed to be person- pect the blessing of the Lord of Hosts.
ally under its influence.  They had, Men of no religion may deem this view
besides, the analogy of all scriptural his- fanatical; but it will require more than
tory in their favour; so that the views the usual amount of reason and hilosothey held appeared to have the sanction phy-we speak not to such men of reliof recent facts and of the Word of God. gion-which they bring to bear upon the
And had their opponents been as truly subject, before they prove it to be either
patriotic as they pretended, instead of irrational and absurd, or inconsistent with
seeking political influence before they the providential government of the "Most
would lend their aid, might they not have High, who doeth according to his will in
formed themselves into a separate army, the armies of heaven, and among the inhung on the enemy's flanks and rear, habitants of the earth."
distracted his attention, cut off his sup-  It is unnecessary to dwell on the minor
plies, and thereby promoted in the most details which took place during the reliberal and unselfish manner, and to the mainder of the Protectorate. After the
utmost of their power, the rescue of their death of Oliver Cromwell a series of incountry from the strong invader  This trigues commenced, which ended in the
would have entitled them to the honour- r.storation of Charles II. In Scotland
able appellation of men of truly enlight- these intrigues were chiefly guided by
ened minds and genuine patriotism; but Robert Douglas, the leader of the Resotheir whole conduct, then and subse- lutioners, through the instrumentality of
quently, proved them to have been influ- James Sharp, who at that time affected,
enced chiefly by ambitious, selfish, and perhaps entertained, as thoroughly as
despotic principles.                 such a man could, a warm zeal for the
Let the reader take up the question, interests of the Presbyterian Church of
and muse upon it deeply, in the form of Scotland.  Monk, who had remained in
the following hypothetic proposition:-  Scotland since its subjugation by CromAre there not principles and rules appli- well, appeared for a time to favour the
cable to wars strictly religious, by which Presbyterian cause, and continued to hold
all operations should be governed anddi- intercourse with Douglas through the
rected, essentially different fiom those in- medium of Sharp.  The epistolary corvolved in ordinary warfare? What we respondence between Douglas and Sharp,
mean to suggest is this: that in wars preserved in Wodrow, clearly proves the
strictly religious, which are of course duplicity, selfishnes, and treachery of
solely defensive (for religion may not be Sharp, and prepares us for the dark and
propagated. by the sword, although it may, cruel tyranny which that hollow-hearted
in extraordinary cases, be so defended), and ruthless man subsequently exercised
no principle of merely secular policy can towards the Church which he had first
be admitted without vitiating the cause; betrayed, and then set himself to perseno principle can be held and acted upon cute.*
which has not the clear warrant of the
Word of God, either in stated precept or  F or a very full, accurate, and impartial view of the
recorded 7 ea le Onteperiod that elapsed between the death of Charles I.
recorded example.  On the other hand, and the restoration of Charles II., the reader is referred




A. D. 1660.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                              205
Charles II. entered London in triumph    a change    so sudden and    so greak, an
on the 29th of May 1660; and with his investigation more minute; searching, and
restoration to the sovereignty begins a profound, than it has ever yet received.
new era of the Church of Scotland's his- Into that subject, however, we cannot entory, the record of which is one of suffer- ter, further than merely to remark, that
ings, and lamentations, and woe.            for the fundamental error of restoring the
king to full power, without any prelimiting conditions for regulating the exercise
of that power, the Church of Scotland, as
a body, was not to blame. So early as
CHAPTER        VII.              the 6th of February 1660, six of the leading ministers met in     Edinburgh, and
FROM  THE RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO agreed       to  send  Mr. James    Sharp to
THE REVOLUTION OF 1688.            London, to hold intercourse with Monk,
according to that wily politician's desire e
state of Affairs at the Restoration-James Sharp-  according to that wily politician's desire
Council of State-Apprehension of Argyle and ofand gave to him instructions by which he
James Guthrie-Middleton's Parliament-Oath of was to regulate all his stipulations in beAllegiance-Act Recissory-Proceedings of the
Church-Trial and Execution of Argyle and Guthrie halfof the Church of Scotland.*  At that
-Deposition and Banishment of several Ministers- time the  of restoring t  king 
Proclamation of the King's determination to restore e the design of restoring the  in  h
Prelacy-Consecration of four Scottish Bishops in not been divulged; but these instructions
London-Prohibition of all Presbyterian Church 
Courts-Proceedings of the Prelatic Parliament-  were equally applicable whatever form
Oaths and Declaration against the Covenant-Refor- of civil government should be established
mation-Diocesan Meetings-Act of Glasgow-Ejec- 
tion of nearly Four Hundred Ministers-Conse- -a matter with which the Presbyterian
quences-Trial and Death of Warriston-Re-erection
of the Court of High Commission-Persecutions-Church did not wish directly to interfere,
Proclamation against Conventicles-Causes of the though decidedly favourable to monarchy.
Rising of Pentland-The Rising itself, Discomfiture, t
and Fatal Consequences-Martyrdom of Hugh M'Kail Sharp seems to have been chosen as the
and others-Severities of the Army-The Bond-       f the Church at this junctur   beMitchell's Attempt-Increased Severities-The Firstaent of the Church at th
Indulgence-Dissentions caused by it-Field-preach- cause of his success in some previous neing —The Accommodation proposed by Leighton —
Continued Persecution-Second Indulgence-Pro- gotiations during the time of Cromwell,
ceedings against Conventicles and Field-preaching — when he  ad been sent by the ResoluThe lighland Host-Barbarities committed by themwen  e      een sen         e   e
-Continued Persecution, Instances-Death of Arch- tioners to counteract the influence of the
bishop Sharp-Declaration of Rutherglen-Battle of Pro er
Drumclog-The West-country Army-Dissensions-Protesters.  His conduct on that occaBattle of Bothwell Bridge-Trials, Executions, and sion gave great satisfaction to his party,
Increased Oppression-General Persecution, Instances-The Society People-Queens-ferry Paper and is praised in the most extravagant
and Declaration of Sanquhar-Skirmish at Ayramoss terms by Bili  who calls him  "that
-Death of Cameron and others-The Torwood Ex-terms  y Balle,          all  m      t
communication-Trial and Death of Cargil-Perse- very worthy, pious, wise, and diligent
cutions and Martyrdoms, Instances-The Test-Pro-          T. 
ceedings against Argyle-His Escape-Circuit Courts young man, Mr. James Sharp."   His
-Murders in the Fields-Proceedings against the character was better understood by Bishop
Society People-Their bold and resolute Conduct —
Death of Charles II.-James VII.-Unsuccessful At- Burnet; and as it is difficult for a Presbytetempt of Argyle-His Capture, Trial, and Execution 
-Dunottar Castle-Transportation to the Colonies rian to mention his name and character in
as Slaves-The King'sLettertoParliament-Schemes such terms as he deserves, without being
for restoring Popery-Acts of Indulgence-Tolera-.
tion-Liberty of Conseience-Trial and Execution of thought to be influenced by violent and
Renwick-The Society People-Letter of the Scot- vindictive feelings, it may be epedient to
tish Prelates to the King-Letter of the Presbyterian            may     exp    ent
Ministers to the Prince of Orange-The Revolution. quote the language of the prelatic histo[1660.] THE Restoration of Charles II.     an.
to the throne of his ancestors, without the   "mong thesolioners of Scotlans 
guard of precautionary conditions of a    ployed by the Resolutioners of Scotland,
guard o         f p recautionar y c onditions of  ny  was one.  He carried with him  a letter
kind, and the strange frenzy of extrava- from    the Earl of Glencairn to Hyde,
gant loyalty    which   seized  upon   the    ade soon after Earl of Clarendon re
whole kingdom        like some uncontroll- m
whole kingdom like some uncontroll- commending him as the only person caable epidemic, so     strongly  contrasted            anag   the d    n of s 
with the conduct and temper exhibited pable to manage the design of setting up
byi the cton dut and temper exibitede Episcopacy in Scotland; upon which he
by    the  nation but a few  years before   was received into great confidence.  Yet,
would require for the explanation ofas he had observed very carefully the suco the "I istory of the Church of Scotland during the cess  of  Monk's  solemn  protestations
(ommonwealth," by the Rev. James Beattie, recently
published.' Wodrow, Dr. Burn's edit. p, 5.




206             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VII
against the king and for the common- employment of such men sufficiently
wealth, it seems he was so pleased with proves it.
the original, that he resolved to copy after  The correspondence which took place
it, without letting himself be diverted from  between Douglas and Sharp, during the
it by scruples.  For he stuck neither at residence of the latter in London, is highsolemn protestations, both by word of ly instructive, both in showing the views
mouth and by letters (of which I have entertained by the large party in the
seen many proofs), nor at appeals to God Church of Scotland, whose counsels were
of his sincerity in acting for the Presby- directed by Douglas, and in detecting the
tery, both in prayers and on other occa- duplicity of Sharp.  A very able paper
sions, joining with these many dreadful was transmitted by Douglas to Sharp, on
imprecations on himself, if he did prevari- the 26th of March, containing the maturcate. He was all the while maintained ed opinions of that sagacious man conby Presbyterians as their agent, and con- cerning the settlement of the government
tinued to give them a constant account of in the three kingdoms. In that document,
the progress of his negotiation in their Douglas proceeds strongly to advocate
service, while he was indeed undermin- the restoration of Charles, and the estabing it. This piece of craft was so visible lishment of the Presbyterian form  of
he having repeated his protestations to as church government in Scotland, Engmany persons as then grew jealous of land, and Ireland; admitting, at the same
him, that when he threw off the mask, time, the perfect right of England and
about a year after this, it laid a founda- Ireland to determine for themselves, and
tion of such a character of him, that no- disclaiming all intention of using force.
thing could ever bring people to any tol- Yet in the same paper, he does not hesierable thoughts of a man whose dissimu- tate to lay it down as an incontrovertible
lation and treachery was so well known, proposition, that " Episcopacy and other
and of which so many proofs were to be forms are men's devices, but Presbyterian
seen under his own hand."*            government is a divine ordinance."*
To this nothing need be added regard- Such, indeed, was the general opinion of
ing the man; but what must be thought the period.  It was at a considerably
of the system which needed such a man subsequent time that the idea of defending
and such arts for its introduction?  Yet, Prelacy, on the ground of its being a dilet this be said,-few, very few, Episco- vine institution, began to grow prevalent,
palians have ever expressed their appro- though it had been previously held by a
bation of either Sharp or his treachery to few; and it was, of course, solely on the
the Church of Scotland; and no system  ground of its political capabilities that
is justly chargeable for all the faults of its kings and statesmen were so anxious to
adherents.  In truth, men are always have it established. Sharp easily pereither better or worse than their system  ceived in what direction the politicians
or their party.  A good man may be at- were endeavouring to steer; but he did
tached to a bad system or party; but he every thing in his power to conceal it
will avoid as far as possible what is evil from Douglas, lest some strong resolution
in it, and cleave chiefly to what is good, should be adopted by the Church of Scotand will accordingly be better than his land, and his design frustrated.  Dougsystem or his party. A bad man may be las proposed that a commission should
attached to a good system or party; but proceed to London to make the mind of
he will acquire and exhibit little of what the Church clearly known; but Sharp
is good in it, and will draw forth, embody, urged the inexpediency of such a step
and display peculiarly what is evil, and with so much plausibility, that it was
will therefore be worse than his system  abandoned. He knew well, that if Dougor party.  Thus Sharp, and the greater las himself had been on the spot, his own
part of the Scottish prelates, were worse machinations would have been discoverthan their system, unscriptural as we be- ed, and all his golden hopes at once deslieve that system of Church government troyed.
to be, and as we think its unreluctant  In the meantime, Douglas had enough
~- Burnet s HIstory of his Own Times, vol. i. p. 92.  - Wo.dow, vol. i. p. 15.




A. D. 1661.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   207
to do to manage matters at home. The notices of the state of affairs at the Restomajority of the Resolutioners placed full ration. The whole nature of the great
confidence in him, and allowed themselves convulsion through which the nation had
to be directed according to his judgment; passed had tended to draw forth into the
but the Protesters could not be moved most marked contrast two very opposite
from their position. They distrusted the states of mind, or aspects of character.
king, the courtiers, and their brethren of The essential subject of the contest was
the opposite party in the Church, and religion; the one party seeking to govern
would not unite with them in the meas- and restrain it; the other striving to proures they were proposing. This contin- cure for it not only freedom, but supremaued antagonism was productive of the cy in its own department. Of necessity,
most pernicious results.  It' kept the the defenders of religion were men of
Church of Scotland in a state of equipoise, graver manners and more thoughtful
or rather paralysis. Neither party could minds than its opponents.  But in the
give utterance to what might justly be re- heat and anger of the struggle many
garded as the national mind; for their joined each party who valued little the
opinions mutually counterbalanced each intrinsic nature of the subject in dispute,
other, so that the nation seemed to have and deemed it enough to assume the exno decided will or wish on the subject. ternal characteristics of the party which
This was exactly the condition in which they joined. The consequence was, that
the most deadly enemy of the Presbyteri- such adherents presented the most ridicuan Church could have wished it to be lously exaggerated caricature of their replaced. Had either party possessed a spective parties; so that a stern and
decided preponderance, the politicians gloomy fanaticism came to be regarded
would not have dared to assail it; or, as the characteristic of a Presbyterian,
had they been able to unite, as in the while drinking, swearing, and licentiousearly days of the Covenant, they might ness of every kind were the tokens by
have bid defiance to every assailant. In which a royalist was known. Accordnumbers the Protesters were the weaker ingly, the restoration of the king was a
party, but in unwavering integrity of signal for the universal display of these
principle and character the stronger. characteristics of loyalty. "A spirit of
They could not form a coalition with the extravagant joy," says Burnet, "spread
Resolutioners without a sacrifice of prin- over the nation, that brought on with it
ciple and conscience; while the other the throwing off the very professions of
party might have joined them without virtue and piety. All ended in entersacrificing any thing but expediency and tainment and drunkenness, which overpride. They were destined to be more run the three kingdoms to such a degree,
united ere long; but not till both had that it very much corrupted all their morbeen thrown into the furnace.       als."*  " Mzn did not think," says KirkIt deserves to be particularlyremarked, ton, "' they could handsomely express
that the Protesters made repeated ad- their joy, except they turned br te+ for devances to their brethren, and that Doug- bauch; yea, many a sober man was
las was prevented from complying with tempted to exceed, lest he should be contheir proposals for a union, chiefly through demned as unnatural, disloyal, and insenthe insidious policy of Sharp, who con- sible."f  The effect may be easily imatinued to assure him that the safety of gined, both in degrading the royalist parthe Church would consist in its majority ty, and in disgusting their opponents,
keeping aloof from the Protesters, against driving them to the opposite extreme, and
whom the king cherished an irreconcila- rendering the chasm between them more
ble enmity. He intimated also his ma- wide, deep, and impassable. It will aclesty's willingness to ratify the proceed- count also for much of the exaggerated
ings of the Assembly of 165', in which language used by party writers on both
the Protesters had been r'demned, re- sides, while describing not the essential
garding this as a clear piout of the royal characteristics, but the distorted caricafeelings.                            tures, of the two contending parties.
With one other remark we shall conclude.. comparaive..pr r'Burnet's History of lis Own Times, p. 92.
elude these comparatively preliminary            + Kirkton, p. 65.




208             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
Little more than a month was sufficient dure was likely to be. Ten ministers
to ripen the schemes of those who wished and two elders had met.hat day in the
to establish an arbitrary government, and house of a friend in Edinburgh, for the
to give them courage to commence the purpose of framing a humble address and
putting of these schemes into execution. supplication to the king, congratulating
A council of state was formed for the ad- his return, expressing their loyalty, reministration of affairs in Scotland, corn- minding him of his own and of the naposed of men decidedly hostile to the tion's Covenant, and praying that his
Presbyterian cause.  The Earl of Mid- reign might be prosperous.  They were
dleton, a fierce, rude, and unprincipled all Protesters, and had determined upon
soldier of fortune, was made commission- taking this step in consequence of the oper for holding the parliament, and gener- posite party, beguiled by Sharp, refusing
al of the forces, and thus head of both to join with them in a general address
the legislative and executive departments. from the whole Church. Their intention
The Earl of Glencairn was chancellor; was, to transmit the supplication to their
the Earl of Lauderdale, who had been brethren throughout the country, that it
one of the commissioners to the West- might obtain as many signatures as possiminster Assembly, was appointed secre- ble, and then to call a larger meeting,
tary of state; the Earl of Rothes, son of from which it might be sent to his majesthe celebrated Rothes, who gave such im- ty. No sooner did the committee receive
portant aid in the time of the Covenant, intelligence of this private meeting, than
was president of the council; the Earl of they sent a party of soldiers, seized their
Crawford, lord treasurer; and Sir Archi- papers, and committed themselves to pri.
bald Primrose, clerk register. Private son, from  whence one of them, James
instructions were given to Middleton to Guthrie, came not out but to trial and extry the inclination of the country for Pre- ecution.*  It was remarked, that this violacy, and to devise the best method of in- lent and illegal apprehension of these
troducing it. For this purpose it was ne- ministers took place on the very day of
cessary to remove those whose opposition the month on which, exactly an hundred
might have been formidable. The Miar- years before, the Scottish parliament had
quis of Argyle was justly regarded as passed an act abolishing Popery, and perthe most powerful supporter of the Cove- mitting the free progress of the Reformanant; and he had many enemies among tion.    They were now    attempting to
the Scottish nobility, in addition to which abolish Presbytery at the command of a
the king himself regarded him with de- king who was secretly a papist, and who
cided hostility.  Argyle, nevertheless, would have been glad to have brought
unconscious of evil, repaired to London, the nation once more into the dark and
and requested an audience of the king; enslaving bondage of the Roman aposbut no sooner was Charles informed of tacy.
his arrival than he commanded him to be  In the beginning of September Sharp
conrminliue to the Tower.  This took came from London, and brought a letter
place on the 8th of July. On the 14th from the king, addressed to Robert Dougof the same month, orders were sent to las, but to be communicated to the PresEdinburgh to imprison Sir James Stew- bytery of Edinburgh. It was prepared,
art, Sir John Chiesly, and Sir Archibald as Wodrow states, by Sharp himself, and
Johnston of Warriston.  The two former was cunningly adapted to gratify the
were seized, but Warriston made his es- Resolutioners, and to throw all blame
cape, although a proclamation was im- upon the Protesters. It produced the efmediately issued, offering a reward for feet intended. All suspicion was lulled
nis apprehension, and subjecting every asleep, the most extravagant expressions
person who should conceal him to the of delighted gratitude were poured forth,
penalties of treason.                 and copies of it were sent to every presOn the 23d of August, the committee bytery, to prove to the kingdom the truchof estates met in Edinburgh, to com- ful fidelity of his majesty, and to show
mence the administration of national af- how  groundless and unjust were the
fairs. The first act gave but too clear an jealous suspicions of the Protesters.  Yet
indication what the course of their proce-      Wodrow, vol. i. pp. 66-72.




A. D. 1661.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     209
the letter contained expressions of a sons entirely at the devotion of the court;
character so manifestly evasive that it and as no act of indemnity had yet been
might well have excited suspicion, even passed, many of the staunch adherents
had there been no previous cause of dis- of the Covenant were deterred from seektrust. It startled the unscrupulous Mid- ing to be elected, and some of them were
dleton, who declared that he thought cited before the parliament, to prevent
it beneath the dignity of a king thus to them being returned as members.  The
equivocate with his people and deceive result was the election of a parliament,
them.*'                               the decided majority of which was cornSome proclamations were, about the posed of royalists and malignants, as
same time, issued by the committee of es- those were termed who had been either
tates against all unlawful meetings and the direct opponents of the Covenant, or
seditious papers, all seditious slanderers who had deserted it, and were the more
of his majesty's government, and all re- bent on its entire destruction; together
monstrators and their adherents. It was with a considerable number of persons
evident against whom these were fulmi- whose estates had been ruined during the
nated, and for what purpose; but the preceding troublous times, and who were
committee could stoop to stillmeaner em- prepared to support any measures by
ployment. About the middle of Septer- which they could hope to repair their
ber a proclamation was issued against broken fortunes.
Rutherford's " Lex Rex," and J. Guth-    [1661. —The new    parliament was
rie's " Causes of God's Wrath," and all opened by the Earl of Middleton, as rewere ordered to bring in their copies of presentative of his majesty, on the 1st of
those books, that they might be burned. January 1661, and proceed to the desThey would have shown more wisdom     patch of public business on the 4th of
by either leaving these works unnoticed, that month. Some of the proceedings of
or by appointing their ablest reasoner to this parliament require to be attentively
try his strength in answering them. The considered, in consequence of the subverprinciples and arguments of the " Lex sive use made of them at a subsequent peRex" have not yet received, and will not riod.  The very constitution of the parsoon receive, a refutation; and it had liament was vitiated from the first. An
been well if the committee had so regu- act'had been passed in 1651, when the
lated their conduct as to avert that Divine king himself was present, requiring evewrath, the causes of which had been so ry member of all succeeding parliaments
forcibly stated by Guthrie.          to sign and subscribe the Covenant be.
In October a proclamation was issued fore entering upon business, without
calling a parliament to meet in Decem- which its constitution, and all its acts,
her, which was subsequently prorogued were declared void and null. This was
till January, to allow more time for the not done; but instead of it another oath
maturing of the measures then to be pro- was proposed, termed in its title " an oath
posed. In that proclamation there were of parliament," and in the body of the
some ominous intimations of the spirit by act " an oath of allegiance."  In it there
which it was likely to be pervaded. The occur the following expressions:-" I acroyal prerogative was mentioned as that knowledge my said sovereign only su"by which alone the liberties of the peo- preme governor of this kingdom over all
ple can be preserved;" the people were persons and in all causes," " and shall at
significantly told, that petitions or addres- my utmost power defend, assist, and
ses were to be made only to the parlia- maintain his rrmjesty's jurisdiction aforement or committee of estates; and an act said, against all deadly, and never decline
of indemnity was promised after the hon- his majesty's power and jurisdiction.
our of the king and the prerogative of There can be no doubt that these clauses
the crown should have been asserted. In admitted of a double interpretation.  So
the time which elapsed before the meeting far as their meaning applied to, civil matof parliament, every kind of exertion was ters alone, they would not have been opmade, by bribery, intimidation, and party posed by any of the Covenanters; but
influence, to procure the election of per- there was no such limitation specified,' Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 109.  and therefore it was evident, that the first
27




210              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VIl.
might be construed to admit his majesty's other persons who shall be required by
supremacy in ecclesiastical causes as well his majesty's privy-council, or any having
as in civil matters; and that the second authority from them, to be obliged to take
was intended to prevent the declining of and swear the oath of allegiance, and the
the king's jurisdiction in religious affairs, acknowledgment of the king's prerogaas the Church of Scotland had always tive."  The next act of this reckless pardone.   Subsequent events proved that liament was the act recissory, not merely
such was the express intention of the repealing certain acts of parliament for
oath; but it was thought proper to con- reasons stated, but at one broad sweep anceal this for a time; and when the Earls nulling all the parliaments held since
of Cassilis and Melville, and the Laird of 1633, with all their proceedings, and thus
Kilbirnie, refused to take the oath with- totally abolishing all the laws made in faout its being understood as not extending vour of the Presbyterian Church, as well
the royal supremacy beyond civil matters, as those in favour of civil liberty, which
they were allowed to take it in that limit- had been enacted during the late reign,
ed sense, but not permitted to have their and -many of them with the full sanction
explanation recorded. Middleton and the of the king himself.
Chancellor Glencairn publicly declared  "This," says Burnet, was a most exthat the oath was not intended to give his travagant act, and only fit to be concluded
majesty any ecclesiastical, but only a civil after a drunken bout. It shook all possisupremacy; yet a short time afterwards, ble security for the future, and laid down
when the Presbyterian   ministers ex-a most pernicious precedent."t  Nothing
pressed their willingness to take it in could more clearly prove the intimate
this sense, they were not allowed.*   connection between civil and religious
Having thus established the king's su- liberty than this very act. The whole
premacy, they proceeded to evolve its design of this parliament was to destroy
consequences by a series of acts as con- the Church of Scotland; but in the atsistent with the strong premise as the tempt to accomplish this deed they were
most rigid logic of despotism could re- under the necessity of destroying not onquire. They declared it to be his majes- ly all the existent laws of the land, but
ty's prerogative to choose all officers of all the security which law itself can give,
state, councillors, lords of session; to call by not only repealing laws, but even anhold, and prorogue, and dissolve all par- nihilating the legislature of the kingdom.
liaments, conventions, and meetings; and Such conduct amounted to a virtual dissothat all meetings held without the royal lution of the social compact, by putting
warrant are void and null; that no con- an end to all trust in public deeds, and
vocations, leagues, or bonds, can be made leaving:to men no alternative but subwithout the Sovereign; and that to the mission to absolute despotism, or the wild
king belongs the sole power of making recoil of utter anarchy.  Yet even this
peace and war. A tolerable broad foun- glaring violation of all legislative princidation was thus laid for the erection of ples was carried, after some oppsition, in
absolute despotism; but someobstructions this "drinking parliament," as it was
needed to be taken away. The chief of commonly termed, in allusion to the inthese was the Solemn League and Cove- temperance of Middleton and the royalists.
nant; and an act was accordingly passed,  Since by the act recissory the whole
absolving the lieges from its obligation, government of the Church of Scotland
and prohibiting its renewal without his was virtually overthrown, another act
majesty's special warrant and approba- was passed, "concerning religion and
tion. Another act was passed, approving church government," in which his majesof the Engagement in 1648, and con- ty declares his intention to secure the godemning the conduct of those who oppos- vernment of the Church " in such a frame
ed it, terming them-" a few seditious per- as shall be most agreeable to the Word
sons."  And to concentrate and confirm  of God, most suitable to monarchical goall the arbitrary acts already passed, an- vernment, and most complying with the
other was framed, requiring not only all public peace and the quiet of the kingpersons in civil official stations, but "all dom;" "in' the meantime allowing the
Wodrow, vd i. pp. 92, 93.'Burnet's Own Times, p 119,




A. D. 1661.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    211
present administration by sessions, pres- they were ready to sacrifice civil liberty
byteries, and synods."  There could be in their fierce desire to subject the preachlittle doubt as to the meaning of this act, ing of the gospel and the discipline of the
in which the settlement of church govern- Church to equal thraldom.  This, while
ment was left to the king, and the Pres- it explains their conduct, stamps the
byterian form "allowed" to remain evi- brand of infamy more deeply both on the
dently no longer than till his majesty's men, and on the system which such men
plans should be fully matured. And a and such measures were employed to insufficient indication was given what was troduce.
the nature of these plans, by an act ap-  But where was the Church of Scotpointing the 29th of May to be kept as a land, that it did not raise aloud its voice
solemn anniversary thanksgiving for his in bold and indignant condemnation of
majesty's restoration; and another restor- such proceedings?  It was paralyzed by
ing patronages and presentations, " as its own unhallowed internal divisions.
what they knew had been still a dead The Protesters were awed into comparaweight upon, and really inconsistent tive silence by the seizure and imprisonwith, the Presbyterian Establishment.'"* ment of James Guthrie, their ablest and
Such is a brief outline of the public boldest leader; and the Resolutioners
acts of Middleton's parliament, especially were still partly possessed by the blind
with regard to the Church. It might spirit of party contention, and partly beseem strange that such acts could have guiled by the wily subtleties of the traitor
been passed by any parliament composed Sharp.  Yet some attempts were made
of men not actually born in slavery, and by the ministers to prevent the utter subso habituated to bondage as -to have be- version of the Church. The ministers
come enamoured of their chains, and of Edinburgh presented petitions, supplieager to impose the same ornaments upon cations, and remonstrances, against the
all others. Where were Scotland's bold act recissory and other acts of similar
and free barons, who had never been ac- character, but without effect. When the
customed to bend their haughty necks synods began to hold their meetings in
beneath the arbitrary yoke of any sove- April and May, endeavours were made to
reign?  Some of the best were dead, or frame addresses to the parliament resin disgrace and danger; others were pecting the danger to which the Church
plunged in debt, and eager to repair their was exposed by the recent enactments;
shattered fortunes by court favour; and but as those addresses were generally
a large majority of them were addicted proposed by the Protesters, the Resoluto those glaring vices which had become tioners opposed them, urging the feeble
the badges of the royalists,-drunkenness but pernicions plea, so commonly used
and immorality,-which they knew the by men of time-serving and undecided
Presbyterian  Church would censure; character, that it was unseasonable anti
and therefore they were eager to destroy unexpedient to apply to parliament in the
a Church whose purity they both feared present circumstances.*  Such was the
and hated. "Vices of all sorts," says case in the synod of Glasgow; and
Burnet, " were the open practices of those though the Protesters could have carried
abouttheEarlofMiddleton. Drinking was their measure by a majority, yet, to prethe most notorious of all, which was often vent the appearance of division, they
continued through the whole night till agreed to delay, and meantime to utter
the next morning."  They came to the an equivocal declaration, such as men of
parliament reeling from  the over-night all views might support. This declaradebauches, and passed acts subversive of tion was of course futile, and they were
the whole civil and religious constitution prevented from holding another meeting;
of the country with less care than they which ought to be a warning to the
bestowed upon their preparations for the Church to be equally prompt and decided
next scene'of revelry and wickedness. It in her Divine Master's cause, and never
was not strange that such besotted slaves to defer till to-morrow the sacred duty of
of sin were the enemies of religious free- to-day.
dom,; and that, in their hatred of religion,  The synod of Fife, which had in for
Wodrow, vol. i. p.106.' Wodrow, vol. i. p. 117.




212              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VII
mer days often borne the brunt of the bleman had been too firmn and steady an
conflict in times of danger to the Church, adherent to the Presbyterian cause to find
were engaged in preparing a petition for favour with the king and the prelatic
a new act, ratifying the privileges of the party: he was too powerful to be perChurch, when they were interrupted by mitted to remain in the enjoyment of libthe Earl of Rothes, ordered to depart, and erty and life; and the Earl of Middleton
obeyed the order without a protestation hoped to obtain a grant of his forfeited
against this infringement of the shadow  estates.  In  addition to these public
of liberty left by the late parliament. causes of hostility against Argyle, the
The synod of Dumfries was interrupted king cherished a personal hatred of him,
and dissolved in the same forcible man- partly because Argyle had checked some
ner, and yielded with equal submissive- of his licentious conduct when formerly
ness.  The synod of Galloway better in Scotland, and partly because he had
maintained the character of the Church himself broken his promise to marry Arof Scotland.  Mr. Park, the moderator, gyle's daughter, and consequently hated
protested against this procedure, as an in- the man whom  he had injured.*  His
jurious encroachment upon the spiritual indictment, however, carefully avoided
liberties of a court of Christ, incompetent allusion to the real causes for which his
to the civil magistrate; and refused to life was sought, and bore reference to his
withdraw till he had regularly dissolved public acts,-first, during the late civil
the meeting with prayer.  The synod of contentions,-secondly, with regard to
Lothian was so far overawed by the pre- his treatment of the royalists, and particsence and the interference of the court, as ularly of Montrose,-and thirdly, his
to suspend six or seven faithful afd pious concurrence with Cromwell during the
ministers of the Protesters, on the absurd period of the protectorate.  Argyle deand groundless charge of rebellion. And fended himself with great eloquence and
the synod of Ross deposed the celebrated force of reason, so as nearly to baffle the
Thomas Hog, minister of Kiltearn, al- malice of his enemies, although his death
though he had not signed the protestation, had been determined even before his trial
but merely because he was known to be commenced.   To secure his condemnaopposed to Prelacy, for the honours and tion, Monk sent to the Scottish adminisemoluments of which    some of these tration some private letters in which Arnorthern brethren were longing.  Yet gyle had expressed concurrence with his
so strong is conscience in hearts not ut- government. By this base act Monl seterly seared, that the moderator, a keen cured the condemnation of a man whose
prelatist, in pronouncing the sentence of guilt, if guilt it could be called, was imdeposition, did it with an air of veneration, measurably less than his own, Argyle
and in tones of deep respect, reminded having only submitted to a power which
the venerable man, that Christ himself he could not successfully oppose, wielded
had suffered great wrong from the scribes by Monk himself. The sentence was
and pharisees.t  The synod of Aber- passed, adjudging him to be guilty of
deen, as Burnet tells us, was the only high treason, and condemning him to be
body that made an address looking to- beheaded, and his head to be affixed in
wards Episcopacy,-so consistently did it the same place where that of the Marpreserve its bad pre-eminence, as the quis of Montrose had been. He received
least enlightened part of Scotland, and the sentence kneeling; and then rising,
the first to return to its scarcely half- said, "I had the honour to set the crown
broken darkness.                      upon the king's head, and now he hasHaving by these unconstitutional en- tens me to a better crown than his
actments prepared the way for the entire own."'
overthrow of the Church of Scotland, the  Between the time of his condemnation
parliament proceeded to ratify their des- and his execution, Argyle enjoyed not
tructive acts with the blood of some dis- merely tranquillity of mind, but such a
tinguished victims.  The first of these in perception of the love of God as filled his
time, as well as in rank, was the Mar- soul with heavenly gladness, and with the
quis of Argyle.  That distinguished no- very peace of God. When his lady and' Wodrow, vol. i. p. 129.      Kirkton, p. 50.  t Wodrow, vol. i.p. 150.




A. D. 1661.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   213
some of his friends exclaimed against the ical, such as presbyterial acts and letters,
cruelty of his enemies, he replied, " For- preaching, and the discharge of what
bear, forbear! truly I pity them; they belonged peculiarly to the ministerial
know  not what they are doing; they function. This declinature had been premay shut me in where' they please, but sented to the king and council at Perth
they cannot shut out God from me." To in February 1651; and though the king
some ministers who were with him in had managed to procure a sentence of dethe prison he said, that shortly they position against him in the packed Aswould envy him   who was got before sembly of St. Andrews and Dundee, yet
them, adding emphatically, " Mind that I as that assembly was not recognised as
tell you; my skill fails me if you who free and lawful by the Church, the senare ministers will not either suffer much tence fell into abeyance, and Guthrie conor sin much; for though you go along tinued to discharge his ministerial duties,
with these men in part, if you do not do till he was seized by the Committee of
it in all things, you are but where you of Estates, as above related.  When
were, and must suffer; and if you go not brought to trial, he defended himself
at all with them, you shall but suffer;"-  with such eloquence, knowledge of law
words worthy to be held in lasting re- and strength of argument, as utterly
membrance, for the deep wisdom which amazed his friends and confounded his
they contain. On the day of his execu- enemies. He proved clearly that his detion, the 27th of May, his soul was filled clinature was agreeable to the Word of
with alla martyr's holy and inexpressi- God, to the Confession of Faith, accorble joy. " What cheer, my Lord!" said dant with the doctrine and practice of the
the Rev. Mr. Hutchison. " Good cheer, Church of Scotland from the period of
Sir; the Lord hath again confirmed and the Reformation, and confirmed and sanc.
said to me from heaven, "Son be of good tioned by many acts of parliament, and
cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.' " And therefore had the support of both divine
when taking leave of his friends, after and human laws. His enemies could
having freely stated that he was naturally not answer his arguments, nor prove the
of a timid disposition, but that God had relevancy of their own accusations; but
taken away all fear from him, he said, he had been the leader of the Protesters;
" I could die like a Roman, but choose his death might strike terror into that
rather to die as a Christian."  He as- truly  Presbyterian party, and induce
cended the scaffold with steady step, calm them to yield; and he had pronounced
pulse, and unmoved countenance, spoke a sentence of excommunication on the Earl
grave and earnest address to the assem- of Middleton many years before, for
bled multitude, breathed forth a fervent which that vindictive man sought to be
prayer, kneeled down beneath the sharp revenged.  He was therefore pronounced
axe of the decapitating instrument, prayed, guilty of high treason, and condemned to
gave the signal, the weapon fell, and his die as a traitor, on the first of June.
spirit returned to God who gave it.    "My lord," said this eminent man to
So fell the first and noblest Scottish his partial judge, "my conscience I canvictim of royal tyranny and prelatic am- not submit; but this old crazy body and
bition, leaving behind him a name and mortal flesh I do submit, to do with it
character which enemies have in vain whatsoever you will, whether by death,
striven to blacken and depreciate; which or banishment, or imprisonment, or any
needs no other vindication than a simple thing else; only I beseech you to ponder
statement of the truth; and which Scot- well what profit there is in my blood. It
land still holds, and long will hold. in is not the extinguishing me or many
deep and affectionate remembrance.   others that will extinguish the Covenant
The next victim was James Guthrie, and the work of reformation since the
minister of Stirling, of whose seizure and year 1638. My blood, bondage, or banimprisonment mention has already been ishment will contribute more for the promade. The chief accusation against him  pagation of those things than my life or
was his declinature of the king and coun- liberty could do, though I should live
cil's competency to judge, in the first in- many years." But his persecutors would
stance, respecting matters puirely ecclesias- have their malice gratified, and their




214             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND              [Ch AP. VHI.
thirst for blood satiated.  The Christian parliament, were crimes of unpardonable
martyr is beyond the reach of fear. So enormity.
was it with Guthrie.  On the day of his  The parliament seemed to think that
execution he was not merely serene,-he blood enough had been shed for the prewas unusually cheerful. "He spoke," sent; but their tender mercies were still
says Burnet, "an hour upon the ladder, cruel. Several ministers of distinguished
with the composedness of a man that talents and character were apprehended,
was delivering a sermon rather than his cast into prison., and finally banished. Of
last words. He justified all he had done, these, the most remarkable were M'Ward
and exhorted all people to adhere to the of Glasgow and Simpson of Airth, who
Covenant, which he magnified highly." were both banished to Holland. MonWhen on the scaffold, adds another rela- crieffof Sconie and Trail of Edinburgh
tion, he lifted the napkin off his face, just were deposed from the ministry, and exbefore he was turned over, and cried, posed to many sufferings and dangers, in
" The Covenants, the Covenants, shall addition to the protracted imprisonment
yet be Scotland's reviving."         which they had endured. But Patrick
Thus died the Rev. James Guthrie, Gillespie was more leniently treated,
who may, with strict propriety, be termed partly in consequence of his having many
the first Scottish martyr for Christ's friends in the parliament, and partly beCrown and Covenant, inasmuch as the cause he made submissive acknowledgvery essence of the accusation brought ments of having given offence to his
against him consisted in his declining to majesty by the Remonstrance, which
subject Christ's kingly and sole dominioon none of the other sufferers could be inover his Church to the arrogated supre- duced to make. He was deposed from
macy of any earthly court or monach. the ministry, and confined to Ormiston
In this, indeed, he but followed the ex- and six miles round it, but exempted from
ample of Knox, and Melville, and Bruce, severer punishment. Yet he was, of all the
and Black, and Welch, and Calderwood, ministers, the most disliked by the king,
-in short, of all the great and pious men chiefly because of the direct intercourse
of both the First and Second Reforma- which he had held with Cromwell,
tions of the Church of Scotland; but he When his majesty heard that Guthrie
was the first who died for that great and had been put to death, he asked, " And
sacred truth, for which others had suf- what have you done with Mr. Patrick
fered bonds, affliction, and banishment. Gillespie?"-adding, "Well, if I had
He died; but the cause for which he known you would have spared Mr. Gilsuffered martyrdom  cannot die. It is lespie, I would have spared Mr. Guthrie.'
living now, and once more putting forth The true explanation of Patrick Gillesthose sacred energies before which all pie's conduct appears to be this: he was
human opposition must ultimately be con- at least as much a man of the world as
sumed tike stubble in the flames. It is, he was a Christian minister, and allowed
indeed, the chief of those great principles his conduct to be swayed as much by
which form the essential characteristics political motives as by Christian princiof the Church of Scotland, inclosed im- ples. A man of such a mixed character
perishably within its very heart, disap- will rarely.act with thorough consistency,
pearing in times of defection or of leth- and generally his worldly and self-inteargy, but reviving and putting forth its rested motives will, in the hour of danger,
undiminished might ever when the re- obtain the ascendency over those higher
awakening call of God quickens its vital principles which they had been too often
and eternal powers.                  permitted to intermingle with and vitiate.
Another victim was sacrificed along  The deadly gripe of the parliament
with Guthrie, named William   Govan, was attempted to be laid on a man of a
who was accused of being implicated in very different mould, —the heavenlythe death of Charles I. But though this minded Rutherford.  Not content with
was not proved against him, he had been burning his work entitled " Lex Rex,"
engaged in the Western Remonstrance, they summoned him to appear before
and generally had favored the Protesters, them at Edinburgh, to answer to a charge
which, in the estimation of Middleton's of high treason. He was at that time




A. D. 1661.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   215
lying on his death-bed. "Tell them," principle of the whole preceding p.rliareplied he, " that I have received a sum- mentary enactments.  The arbitrary will
mons already to appear before a superior of the sovereign had been distinctly deJudge and judicatory, and I behove to dlared to be the source of all authority;
answer my first summons; and ere your and the repealing of acts and annulling
day arrive, I will be where few kings and of parliaments having left no other source
great folks come."                   of authority, the language of despotism
It was now thought that the Presby- was the fitting medium for declaring the
terian spirit of Scotland was sufficiently restoration of Prelacy.
humbled, and that Prelacy might be in-  All preliminary steps were now comtroduced without further delay. Some pleted; and Sharp again hastened to
of the leading men pressed the king to London, to receive episcopal consecraproceed forthwith with the intended tion, taking with him some of his brechange of church government in Scot- thren, who, like himself, were ready to
land, and Sharp prepared for another purchase Prelacy at the cost of perjury.
journey to London, to complete his treach- These were, Andrew Fairfoul, James
ery. Before his departure he had the Hamilton, and Robert Leighton. Of the
dissimulation, or the effrontery, to visit character of Sharp it is unnecessary to
Robert Douglas, and pretend that the write a single word. Fairfoul appears
king wished to make that distinguished to have been vain, facetious, somewVhat
man Archbishop of St. Andrews. Doug- learned, and loose in hismoral conduct.
las answered that he would have nothing Hamilton was a weak, trimming, unto do with it; and when Sharp rose to principled man, equally readly to pretend
withdraw, Douglas called him back and extreme zeal for the Covenant, and to
thus addressed him, "James, I see you adjure and betray it.  But what had
will engage,-I perceive you are clear,- Leighton to do in such company, and on
you will be Bishop of St. Andrews; take such an errand?  That pious, amiable,
it, and the curse of God with it;"-and modest, and gentle-hearted man seems to
laying his hand heavily on the apostate's have been selected expressly to present to
shoulder as he spoke, moved him to the Scotland the abstract possibility that a
door.*                               prelate might be a man deserving of esThe subversive process now went on teem and love. It might be, too, that
rapidly. A new privy council was formed some of more sagacious mind might
for the permanent management of public anticipate from  Leighton's moderation
affairs in Scotland. Soon after the meet- and kindliness of heart, a greater ining of the council, a letter, bearing date fluence in recommending Prelacy, than
the 14th of August, was sent by his ma- could be expected from the arbitrary and
jesty to them, declaring his " firm reso- oppressive conduct and disreputable charlution to interpose his royal authority for acter of his brethren.
restoring the Church of Scotland to its  When they arrived at London, it was
rightful government by bishops."  This ascertained that Sharp and Leighton had
letter was published by proclamation with not received episcopal ordination, having
the addition of penalties, to which all been both ordained since the abolition of
should be liable who might fail in ren- Prelacy in Scotland. The English bisdering obedience. Such was the result hops refused to consecrate them to the
of his majesty's often-repeated oaths and prelatic office till they should be redeclarations to maintain and defend the ordained as deacons and priests. This
Presbyterian Church of Scotland. And Sharp at first opposed, as contrary to the
it deserves to be remarked, that this pro- precedent in 1610, when Spotswood had
clamation was of the most arbitrary char- not been required to receive prelatic orracter, resting the whole change upon dination before his elevation to a bishopthe royal prerogative alone, without re- ric. But the English prelates had begun
ference to the advice of council, parlia- to insist on the Divine institution of Prement, or Assembly.  This, indeed, was lacy,-a notion introduced into the Engthe natural result of the absolute preroga- lish Church by Bancroft, and carried to
tive which had been made the ruling its extreme height by Laud, but which'Kirkton, p. 135.       the great and good men of England's




216             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VIi.
Reformation never entertained. Leigh- Synods, Presbyteries, and Kirk-Sessions
ton regarded the whole matter as an continued to meet by virtue of their own
indifferent ceremony, which might be intrinsic powers, cramped merely with
omitted or performed, according to the constant moderators, possessing a negacustom of different churches; and Sharp tive upon the proceedings of these church
was too intent on reaching the summit of judicatories. But now they were not to
his ambition to offer any protracted resis- be held at all, till called by the prelates,
tance. On the 12th of December 1661, and to possess no power except what these
these four men were formally consecrated despots should be pleased to grant.
to the episcopal office, and concluded the  One good effect resulted from this arservice of the day with feasting and re- bitrary proclamation; it put an end to
velry, to a degree which shocked the much of the rivalry which had existed
heart of Leighton.  He said to Burnet, between the Resolutioners and the Pro"that in the whole progress of that affair testers, though too late to be of much
there appeared such cross character of an avail. Robert Douglas exclaimed, "Our
angry Providence, that how fully soever brethren the Protesters have had their'
he was satisfied in his own mind as to eyes open, and we have been blind;" and
Episcopacy itself, yet it seemed that God David Dickson said, " The Prosters
was against them, and they were not like have been much truer prophets than we.'
to be the men that would build up his Wood of St. Andrews, also, who had
Church; so that the struggling about it maintained a long and painful contest
seemed to him like a fighting against with Rutherford, acknowledged that he
God.* It was not strange that he should and his party had been mistaken in the
come te that conclusion; but it was views they took of matters.  But their
strange that he persevered so many years disunion had been of too long continuain what he regarded as little better than tion to admit of a ready and cordial coafighting against God, till at last he was lition, even in such a time of general
constrained to abandon the fearful at- danger and distress. Sorrow and dejeceempt, wounded in conscience, and almost tion filled the minds of the great majority,
broken-hearted.                      instead of that prompt and decisive energy
[1662.] On the 2d of January 1662, which might even yet have prevented the
the council received a letter from his subversion of the Church, had it been put
majesty, announcing the consecration of forth as in the early days of the Covethe prelates, and prohibiting the meeting nant.  In a state of silent stupor they
of Synods, Presbyteries, and kirk-Ses- generally submitted to the blow; a very
sions, till they should be authorised by few Presbyteries only having the courage
the archbishops and bishops; calling to meet and protest against this invasion
upon the nobility, gentry, and burgh ma- of their spiritual liberties. Why had the
gistracy, to give all countenance and en- Church of Scotland so soon lost its primicouragement to the bishops, and threaten- tive spirit, and sunk into such cowardly
ing that severe and exemplary notice despair?  Because it had sinned in
would be taken of every one who should passing these baneful " Resolutions," expresume to reflect or express any disre- pressive of acquiescence in the schemes
spect to their persons, or the authority of deceptive  expediency devised  by
withwhich theywere intrusted. Thiswas worldly politicians; and therefore were
speedily followed by a proclamation from  its councils distracted, and its strength
the council of the same tenor, and a let- was become weakness.  The fiercest
ter to sheriffs and magistrates throughout storm of royal wrath and prelatic revenge
the kingdom, intimating the prohibition was indeed directed against the highof all meetings of Synods, Presbyteries, principled and clear-sighted Protesters;
and Sessions, till they should be ordered but who will say that it was not better to
by the bishops. By this proclamation die the noble death of a Christian martyr,
the Presbyterian Church was more com- like Guthrie, than to sink, like Baillie, to
pletely overthrown than it had been the grave, beneath the piercing anguish
during the reign of James VI.; for then of a disappointed and a broken heart?
Burnet's Own Times, vol. ii. pp. 140, 141.  Pray," said the Earl of Loudon to his




A. D. 1662.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   217
pious countess, " that I may die before Redeemer's eternal crown to the brows
the meeting of parliament, when I must of a sinful and mortal man.
either sin or meet the fate of Argyle."  An act was also passed " for the preser
On the 8th of April, Sharp and his vation of his majesty's person, author
three brother prelates reached Berwick, ity, and government;" probably one of
having travelled from London all in one the most pure pieces of despotism that
coach; but there Leighton left them, ever emanated from any legislative body.
being thoroughly weary oftheircompany, It involves in the guilt of treason "all
and hastened privately to Edinburgh, to covenants and leagues for reformation;"
escape the infamy of that pompous pro- brands the covenants as unlawful oaths
cessional entrance which the others against the fundamental laws and libercourted and obtained. Soon after their ties of the kingdom, though the king
arrival, six others were consecrated to himself has sworn them; stigmatizes
the prelatic function, but without that re- all protestations and petitions as unlawful
ordination to which Sharp and Leighton and seditious: rescinds the acts of the
had submitted, as if to prove the incom- Assembly of 1638, and all ratifications
patibility of Prelacy to the Scottish char- of them; prohibits, on the severest peacter, and the impossibility of manufac- nalties, all writing, speaking, painting,
turing bishops in Scotland according to preaching, praying, &c., tending to stir
the high episcopalian rules. When the up a dislike of his majesty's royal preroparliament met, a deputation was sent to gative and supremacy in cases ecclesiasinvite the prelates to take their seats, as tical, or the government of the Church
the third estate of the realm. The very by archbishops and bishops. Such are
first act passed by this parliament, which the leading clauses of this arbitrary act,
met on the 8th of May, was one "for the unquestionably a fine specimen of prerestitution and re-establishment of the latic legislation, and a sufficient proof
ancient government of the Church by that in Scotland at least, tyranny and
archbishops and bishops."  After a false Prelacy are inseparably connected. But
preamble respecting the evils sustained their schemes were not yet fully develby the community during the late rebel- oped. Another act prohibited any perlion, as the late Reformation is termed, in son to teach in universities, or to preach,
consequence of casting off the " sacred keep schools, or to be tutors to persons of
order of bishops," that order is restored quality, who did not own prelatic govto all its accustomed dignities, privileges, ernment, and obtain a license from the
and jurisdictions, and to all power of or- prelates. By another act, all persons in
dination, censure, and discipline, " which public trust were ordained to sign a dethey are to perform with advice and assist- claration condemning as unlawful all
ance of such of the clergy as they shall leagues and covenants among subjects,
find to be of known loyalty and pru- upon any pretext whatever; and particudence."  The act further annuls every laiy the National Covenant and the Sokind and degree of church power and lemn League and Covenant, which were
jurisdiction "other than that which ac- declared by the subscriber to be of no
knowledgeth a dependence upon and obligation upon himself or any of the
subordination to the sovereign power of subjects. It did not seem to the prelates
the king as supreme."*  This, certainly, enough for a man to say that he ceased
was enough to gratify the utmost desire to regard the Covenants as binding upon
of the most thorough Erastian, ancient or himself he must also affirm the same of
modern, and might be studied with ad- others though he could know nothing of
vantage by those who regard the Church their conscientious opinions. One canas purely the "creature of the State." not help conjecturing, that the prelates,
No wonder that the men who had sworn somewhat uneasy under their own perjuto maintain Christ's kingly government ry, were anxious that the whole kingof his Church regarded Prelacy, thus in- dom should be plunged into similar guilt,
troduced, and avowing no allegiance but or that men should become as accustomed
that due to an earthly monarch, as in- to oaths, as to regard their violation as a
volving a virtual transfer of the Divine matter of no real moment, infelring nei~ See the act in Wodrow, vol. i, pp. 257, 258.  ther guilt nor infamy.' One or other of
28




218            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VII.
two consequences such a multiplicity of lates were about to hold, to give their conensnaring and' often self-contradictory currence to them. and to refrain from
oaths were sure to have: they would holding any other ecclesiastical meetings
either involve the nation in wide-spread on pain of the censures provided in such
irreligion and immorality, or would bring cases.  These diocesan meetings were
into trouble, poverty, and suffering, all generally termed the: Bishop's Courts;
who venerated the sanctity of an oath. and notwithstanding the threatenings of
For it has always been observed, that the privy council and the prelates, very
where these solemn bonds are made too few of the ministers attended them.  Incommon, they cease to bind: they are deed, they could, not, without abandoning
iron fetters to the good, but threads of all their Presbyterian principles, and, in
gossamer to the bad. A    government particular, that principle essentially Preswhich multiplies oaths of office, proves byterian, that all ecclesiastical jurisdicitself to have little consciousness of their tion is derived from Christ alone, whereawful sanction, manifests distrust of its as the jurisdiction of the prelates was
subjects, and holds forth a snare to tempt avowedly derived from. the king alone, so
ambitious and self-interested men to the that to attend the diocesan meeting would
commission of perjury. So was it with have been to violate their allegiance to
the Scottish prelatic parliament.  The Christ.*  The case was different during
numerous oaths which they imposed shut the semi-prelacy established by King
out from places of. public trust nearly all James; for then the Presbyterian church
men of the highest worth, opposed no courts had not been suppressed, but mereobstacle to the admission of the wicked, ly invaded, and the ministers held it even
and became directly instrumental in the their duty to retain as much of their privinfliction of the most extensive and re- ileges as they could, to keep possession
lentless persecution.                 of their sacred judicatories, and to resist
The act of indemnity, so long expect- the invading prelates to the utmost. But
ed, came at last, but came in a character now these judicatories had been wholly
which sufficiently proved its paternity. abolished, were attempted to be reconIn addition to a list of persons excepted structed on prelatic principles alone, and
from the benefit of this: act, it had, in the could not be so much as entered by a true
form of an appended exception, what Presbyterian, without abandoning all his
was in reality another act, empowering own most sacred principles, and doing
a committee to impose fines upon as violence to his conscientious convictions.
many as they thought proper, and to     But the wild career of Middleton was
whatsoever amount they pleased. A list now near its close, although, like an
of persons to be fined was accordingly eastern tornado, its last fierce burst of fury
made,, including all who were known or was the most destructive.  There had,
suspected to be favourable to the Presby- from. the time of the king's restoration,
te.rian Church.  The avowed object of been a constant rivalry between Middlethis list was, by means of these fines, to ton and Lauderdale, and each had been
depress the Presbyterians and enrich the continually plotting to ruin the power of
royalists and the favourers of Prelacy. his rival. Lauderdale's situation near the
The parliament terminated its sittings by person of the monarch gave him an adpassing an act, the effect of which was vantage which Middleton attempted to
the immediate ejection of the ministers of counterbalance by his zeal in the destrucEdinburgh, and of several other ministers tion of the Presbyterian Church; and this
in different parts of the country soon after, had stimulated him to press forward his
who held the laws of God in higher esti- pernicious schemes with a degree of premation than acts of parliament.       cipitation too impetuous to admit of taking
When the parliament rose, the privy a deliberate estimation of their possible
council assumed the management of pub- consequences in case of failure or recoil.
lic affairs, and proceeded to enforce those Having finished his tyrannical labours in
arbitrary enactments in a congenial spirit. the parliament and council, he began a
They published an act respecting dioce- tour through the west of Scotland, for the
san meetings, commanding all ministers double purpose of enjoying the festive ento repair te the meetings which the pre-  ~ ee Apologetical Relation, section viii. pp. 91-100.




A. D. 1662.1      HIPSTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    219
tertainments given to him by the obsequi- when the poor persecuted ministers took
ous nobility, and of urging upon the Pres- leave of their people."  In many instanbyterians the: declaration recently passed ces the congregations could not repress
by parliament.  When he came to Glas- their feelings, but wept aloud, till their
gow, th;e archbishop, Fairfoul, laid before lamentations resembled the wild wailings
him the most grievous complaints, that of a city taking by storm.  This desolanone of the younger ministers within his ting blast fell first on the western coundiocese, entered since 1649, had attended ties, but it soon extended over the southhis courts, or acknowledged his prelatic ern and midland parts of the kingdom,
superiority; that he was exposed to the till it caused the ejection; of nearly four
odium which attends that office in Scot- hundred ministers in the course of a few
land, but possessed nothing of its power; months, involving a large portion, of Scotand that, unless some more effectual: steps land in sudden spiritual destitution.f
were taken, the prelatic office itself would  Great was'he astonishment, and even
sink into general contempt. Middleton consternation, felt by the prelatic party at
requested him to state his plan, and he the wide devastation caused by the Act of
would immediately put it in execution. Glasgow.    They had committed the
Fairfoul proposed that an act of council grievous error which unprincipled men
might be passed and proclaimed, peremp- are so apt to do, of concluding what the
torily banishing all the ministers who Presbyterian: ministers would do by what
had entered since the year 1649, from  they would themselves have done in simtheir houses, parishes, and respective ilar circumstances, and they saw their
presbyteries if they did not before the 1st error when it was too late easily to repair
day of November ensuing, procure pre- it. They could not but perceive that the
sentations from the patrons, and present unpopularity of their proceedings would
themselves to the prelates to receive colla- be very greatly increased by the firm and
tion and admission to their charges;. as- high-principled conduct of the ministers,
suring  the  commissioner, that there submitting readily to the loss of all that
would not be ten in his diocese that would human nature holds dear, rather than
not rather sacrifice their principles than. they would violate their sacred principles.
lose their stipends.*  The result proved The more wary of the prelates, and in
the folly of a prelate judging Presbyte- particular Sharp himself, had intended to
rian ministers by his own standard.    follow a very different method for the seThe council met at Glasgow on the 1st curing of their triumph over the Presbyof October, and passed an act, known by terian Church.  Their plan. was graduthe designation of "the Act of Glasgow," ally to depose the leading men of the
in exact conformity with the archbishop's Presbyterian ministers, not more rapidly,
suggestions.  Burnet informs us, that the nor in greater numbers, than they would
Duke of Hamilton, who was one of the be able to supply with successors of tolercouncil, told him, that "they were all so able education and character, so that in
drunk that day that they were not capa- the course of a generation, an. entire
ble of considering any thing that was change might be effected by almost imlaid before them, and would hear of no- perceptible degrees, and Prelacy quietly
thing but the executing the law without but firmly be established.  This dangerany relenting or delay."'  The Presby- ous policy was at once rendered impossiterian ministers obeyed the law.  They ble by the Act of Glasgow;: and that
submitted to the very letter of its penalty. there is little reason to doubt, that while
On the last Sabbath of October they the most sagacious of the prelatists deplorpreached and bade farewell to their deep- ed the sudden precipitation of the struggle,
ly-attached congregations; and on that the Presbyterians, amidst all their sufferday, as Burnet states, above two hundred ings, rejoiced at the false movement of
churches were at once shut up, and aban- their enemies. Need we hesitate to say,
doned equally by pastors and by people. that God confounded the councils of
" I believe," says Kirkton, "there was               Kirkton, p. 150.
never such a sad Sabbath in Scotland, as  t Wodrow gives a list of ejected ministers, amounting to 412, but several of themi had been deposed before
the Act of Glasgow, so that the number cast out by
Wodrow, vol. i. p. 282.  t Burnet's Own Times, that Act fell somewhat short of 400. See Wodrow
sol. i. p. 154.''  ol. i. pp. 324-329




220             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
Ahithophel, and caused the crafty to be extempore. By these means they had a
taken in their own snares             comprehension of matters of religion
An attempt was made by the council greater than I have seen among people
to retrieve this false step, by an act passed of that sort any where. As they (the
at Edinburgh on the 23d of December, ministers) lived in great familiarity with
extending the term within which minis- their people, and used to pray and to talk
ters might receive presentation and colla- oft with them in private, so it can hardly
tion, to the Ist day of February 1663; be imagined to what a degree they were
but the penalties for non-compliance were loved and reverenced by them."*
not relaxed, and a fine of twenty shillings  Let the candid reader look on these
Scots was ordered to be exacted from all two pictures, drawn by the hand of a prethe people who did not attend their parish late from personal observation and knowchurches.  As the testimony of an adver- ledge, and say whether it was possible
sary is always held peculiarly valuable, that the people of Scotland could regard
we may here conclude our account of the with favour a system, the unconstitutional
proceedings of this year by extracting and tyrannical introduction of which
Bishop Burnet's statement of the conse- drove to the vilds their own faithful,
quences resulting from the Act of Glas- pious, and beloved ministers, and forced
gow.                                  upon them the desecrating services of
" There was a sort of an invitation sent such an irreligious and immoral crew of
over the kingdom, like a hue-and-cry, to the very lowest spawn of Prelacy. But
all persons to accept of benefices in the these curates, as they were designated
west.  The livings were generally well somewhat incorrectly, had obtained " preendowed, and the parsonage-houses were sentations from patrons and collation from
well built, and in good repair. And this the bishops;" and these qualifications
drew many very worthless persons thith- would, in the estimation of some people,
er, who had little learning, less piety, and cover any multitude of sins.  Others,
no sort of discretion. The new incum- however, will be disposed to think, as the
bents who were put in the place of the bereaved and oppressed people of Scotejected preachers, were generally very land did, that the very fact of patrons and
mean and despicable in all respects. prelates so readily concurring to thrust
They were the worst preachers I ever such men into churches, which their
heard; they were ignorant to a reproach; presence could only desecrate, furnished
and many of them were openly vicious. a very strong proof of the unchristian
They were a disgrace to their orders and origin of both patronage and Prelacy.
the sacred functions, and indeed were the Will any sane man say, that that system
dregs and refuse of the northern parts. is of divine origin which directly expels
Those of them who rose above contempt from the Church such men as Douglas,
or scandal were men of such violent tem- Traill, and  Hutcheson of Edinburgh,
pers, that they were as much hated as the Livingston of Ancrum, Blair of St. Anothers were despised.                 drews, Wylie of Kirkcudbright, Welch' The former incumbents, who were of Irongray, and Brown of Wamphray,
for the most part Protesters, were a grave, and forces into it such men as even Bursolemn sort of people.   Their spirits net cannot write of without contempt?
were eager, and their tempers sour; but But we must proceed, though the heart
they had an appearance that created re- sickens at the consciousness of the dreadspect.  They were related to the chief ful character of the narrative on which
families in the country either by blood or we are now more distinctly to enter. So
marriage, and had lived in so decent a strong, indeed, is our reluctance to dwell
manner that the gentry paid great respect on scenes of almost unmingled horror,to them. They used to visit their parishes so great is the repugnance which we feel
much, and were so full of the Scriptures, to relate the bloody and inhuman brutaliand so ready at extempore prayer, that ties perpetrated by Prelacy in Scotland,
from that they grew to practise extempore -that we purpose to sketch the outline
sermons. They had brought the people of prelatic persecution as briefly, and
to such a degree of knowledge, that cot- with as little reference to its darker tertagers and servants would have prayed      Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. pp. 156-158.




A. D. 1663.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     221
rors, as may be possible, consistently with year, and who were accordingly left for
the historian's duty.                 a time in the possession of their parishes.
[1663.1  The year 1663 began with To the churches of these men the people
great hardships to both the ejected minis- flocked from great distances when their
ters and the deprived people of Scotland. own ministers were cast out, and thus
The ministers were compelled to leave continued for a time to obtain instruction
their houses, the scenes of their ministry, to which they could listen without violathe people whom they had been accus- tion to their consciences. Some of the
tomed to instruct with such anxious and ejected ministers also were allowed to
successful care in the knowledge of the reside in their parishes, though not in the
way of salvation,-all that they held dear manses or parsonages; and the people
on earth, and much that had been to them  collected together in great numbers at
both earnest and foretaste of heaven,-  those hours in which they were accusand to hasten away to other districts, tomed to have family worship, that they
chiefly to those north of the Tay, in the might enjoy the private expositions and
depth of a stern, inclement Scottish win- prayers of their beloved pastors.  To
ter, because they would not bring upon such an extent did this proceed, that often
their souls the guilt of perjury.  The no room could be obtained large enough
people were at once deprived of the high- to contain the assembled worshippers,
ly-valued labours of their beloved pas- who were constrained, both minister and
tors, at the very time when the course of people, to betake themselves to the open
religious instruction to which they had air, there to adore the God w>o made
been accustomed was producing its most heaven and earth. This was the origin
beneficial effects, and when they were of what were termed conventicles and
become most able to appreciate truly the field-meetings in Scotland, against which,
worth of an evangelical ministry.  It a few years afterwards, the rage of the
soon became a question of deep moment, persecutors burned so fiercely. Even at
whether they could conscientiously attend the very beginning of this method of
the churches where the prelatic curates seeking the benefit of a gospel ministry,
preached, but not long a question of diffi- the people were exposed to abusive treatcult solution.  Great numbers of the peo- hment. The act of 23d December had
pie were beyond all comparison better imposed a fine upon those who did not
acquainted with their Bibles than the attend their own parish churches; and
curates were; and it would be insulting the rude soldiery, instigated by the cuto the memory of the Scottish Covenant- rates, began the practice of intercepting
ers to compare them, in point of moral people on their way to the churches of
character, with the dissolute and licen- the old and unexpelled ministers, and extious creatures of the prelates.  To attend acting the fine specified in the proclamathe ministry of such persons was abso- tion. Other occasions of persecution also
lutely impossible for men who had any began to be common. In several infeeling of what was due to the hallowed stances, the people, especially the females,
day of God, and to the sacred nature of opposed the entrance of curates forcibly,
religious ordinances; nay, even their re- till their resistance was overcome by
gard to the welfare of their own souls military power.  This the wiser part of
forbade them  to listen to men whose the Covenanters deplored, as calculated
whole conduct was such as to render their to give some colour of justice to the
interference with holy things a hideous harsh retaliation inflicted by the armed
profanation. The people therefore re- supporters of the prelatic intruders; but
fused to attend the ministry of the curates, the prelatists were not slow in availing
whom they could not look upon without themselves of every opportunity of inflictequal disgust and indignation.        ing vengeance upon their opponents.
It will be remembered, that the Glas-  Allusion has already been made to the
gow  Act included directly only those political rivalry between Middleton and
ministers who had entered into their Lauderdale, and to the effect which it had
charges since 1649.   But there were in stimulating the former to press forward
considerable numbers of more aged min- the establishment of Prelacy upon the
isters, who had entered previous to that ruins of the Presbyterian Church, as the




222             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
best method, in his opinion, of securing prompt and effectual measures for the
the favour of the king.  His majesty, suppression of the Church which he had
however, saw clearly that the Glasgow.most solemnly vowed to defend.
Act was an impolitic measure, more      A parliament was held in Edinburgh,
likely to injure the cause of Prelacy than on the 18th of June, at which Lauderdale
to promote it; and, though well enough was present, to commence his career of
satisfied with Middleton's zeal, was by power, assisted by the Earl of Rothes,
no means disposed to hazard the failure with whom he was in close political conof his schemes for any regard to the for- *nection. The first act of the new admintunes of his most zealous adherent. Lau- istration was one which paralyzed the'derdale availed himself of this opportu- parliament, by restoring the old method
nity to assail his rivaland prepared for a of electing the Lords of the Articles.
final effort to overthrow him. The ava- The second was intituled, an  "Act
rice of Middleton supplied what was against Separation and Disobedience to
wanting for his ruin. The king thought Ecclesiastical Authority;" Its object was,
proper to send to the Scottish council -to prevent people from -leaving the curates
a letter suspending the payment of: and following the ejected ministers; and
the fines imposed on non-conformists; to effect that purpose, it declares of the
but Middleton, eager to get hold of the latter, "that their daring to preach, in
money, prevented the proclamation of his -contempt of the law," is sedition, andthey
majesty's letter postponing the term of are subjected to punishment as seditious
payment. This Lauderdale represented persons; while all men are enjoined to
as a daring violation of the royal prero- attend " such ministers as by public augative; and the king, offended more with thority are or shall be admitted to their
this tampering with his authority, than, parishes," those who absent themselves
with all the despotic proceedings of Mid- being liable to be fined, each nobleman
dleton against the liberties of the people, gentleman, and heritor, the fourth part oi
deprived him of that power which he a year's rental, and each tenant the same
had so greatly abused, and sent him in a proportion of his moveable property, dekind of honourable banishment to Tan- ducting the payment of the rent due to
gier, where he soon afterwards died in his landlord: and each burgess to lost
consequence of a fall.'*             the   liberty of trading within burgh
Lauderdale became now    the chief towns, and the fourth part of his movea.
manager of Scottish affairs; but this ble property.  This act was commonly
brought no mitigation to the sufferings of termed "The Bishop's drag-net," and
the Presbyterians.  He had, indeed, been formed the foundation of:a great part of
himself at one time not only a Covenant- the oppressive exactions afterwards levied
er, but even one of the commissioners throughout the kingdom. The privy
from the General Assembly to the West- council were directed to be careful to see
minster Assembly of Divines; and at this act put in due execution, by inflicting
the Restoration he at first -advocated the not only the specified censures and penestablishment of the Presbyterian Church alties, but also such other corporeal punas that of the three kingdoms.t  Per- ishments as they should think fit,-a
ceiving the king's rooted aversion:to the clause of dark import, destined ere long
Presbyterian Church, Lauderdale, with to be interpreted and enforced with terrific
the supple pliancy of a courtier, aban- cruelty.
doned his cause, and, with the spirit of a  Another act was passed, enforcing the
renegade, became the deadly persecutor signing of the declaration condemnatory
of the religion from which he had apos- of the Covenants, without which no pertatized.  And now, when elevated to the son was eligible to places of public trust;
chief power in Scotland, he deemed it to which was now added, that those who
expedient'to remove any lingering suspi- should refuse t) sign it should " forfeit all
cion which might still attach to him on the privileges of merchal:dising ard traaccount of his former conduct, by taking ding." -From this it seems to h.ve been
Burnet'sOwn Times, vol. i. pp. 200.222.  the dire policy of Laudeidale and the
- It was at that time that the King tttered the well- prelates, to render it impossible for any
known expression "Presbytery is not a religion for ao  i 
gentleman."  X                        man even to live in the kingdomn without




A. D. 1663.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    223
submitting to Prelacy.  The last act of w as passed on the 7th of October, which
any importance passed by this servile rendered the despotic series nearly comparliament was one for establishing a na- plete. Its first part was directed against
tional synod, molelled after the plan of the Presbyterian ministers who had fled
the English convocation, but still more from Ireland to escape the prelatic perseabortive, inasmuch as it was hever once cution there, rendering them liable to the
held, the prelates finding that their work penalties of sedition if they dared to reside
could be more expeditiously and effectual- or preach in Scotland-: its second part
ly done by the privy council itself, and by directed the curates to read out from the
the Court of High Commission, which pulpit lists of such people in their parishes
was soon afterwards revived. Lauder- as absented themselves from public wordale finished this parliament by the vain ship in these parishes, which intimation
parade of an act, offering to his majesty should be sufficient ground for proceeding
an army of twenty-two thousand infantry against such persons if they.dd not inand two thousand cavalry, if necessary, stantly submit; and not only magistrates,
to aid in the preservation of Christen- but " officers of the standing forces," are
dom against the Turks; unless, indeed, required to give their assistance to ministhe act had a private interpretation, and ters in the discharge of their office, to
was designed to show the king that an put the law in execution, and to enforce
army could be raised for him in Scot- the penalties expressed in the acts of parland, in case his English subjects should liament and council.*  The -effect of this
grow refractory.                     -was, to authorise the curates to act as
During the sitting of parliament, the spies and informers against their parishprivy council thought proper to meet and ioners, and the army to act as executionpass some acts manifestly beyond their ers of the law almost on their own repowers, especially while the superior sponsibility,-functions which both these
legislative body was assembled.  The classes of persons soon proved themselves
two archbishops had been by this time equally ready to perform with the most
made members of the privy council, and ruthless cruelty.
to this may be fairly ascribed both its  The only public instance of actual marencroachment upon parliamentary privi- tyrdom which occurred this year was
leges, and the despotism of its acts.  The that of Warriston.  He had escaped
first, which was proclaimed on the 13th from the hands of his enemies about two
of August, is known as " The Mile Act." years before, and had fled to the continent
It commands all the ministers included for safety. While he was at Hamburg,
within the Act of Glasgow " to remove he had an attack of sickness, and was atthemselves and their families, within tendedby Dr. Bates, who had been one
twenty days, out of the parishes where of the king's physicians, and was by him
they were incumbents, and not to reside subjected to such improper medical treatwithin twenty miles of the same, nor ment as to deprive him almost entirely of
within six miles of Edinburgh or any the use of his faculties.f4  His memory
cathedral church, nor within three miles departed to such a degree that he -could
of any burgh royal within the kingdom," not remember what he had said or done
under the penalties of the laws against a quarter of an hour before. In this demovers of sedition. Every person must plorable condition, the wreck of his
see that it was physically impossible to former self, he was basely given up by
comply with the terms of this act, coupled the French monarch to an emissary of
with a former-one which prohibited any Charles, brought to Edinburgh, tried,
two of the ejected ministers from residing and condemned to death.  The pitiable
within the boundaries of the same parish. spectacle of the helpless old man, reFour hundred spots such as the act de- duced to premature imbecility by the
scribes could not have been found within treacherous conduct of the royal physithe kingdom, though all its lonely wilds cian, failed to excite the compassion of
had been selected with geographical ex- his persecutors; nay, Sharp and the
actness. But it requires no comment to other prelates triumphed in the weak and
point out the blundering cruelty of these
absurd tyrants.  A                      Wodrow, vol. i. pp. 341 343.  t Apologeticta
absurd tyrants. Another act of council Relation, pref.




224             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
wavering accents of him whose bold and to Sir James Turner to lead a body
fervid eloquence had often formerly held of troops to the west and south of ScotAssemblies and parliaments mute in land, to levy fines and compel submissilent admiration.  But God did not for- sion to the prelates.  Sir James was a fit
sake his aged servant when compassed instrument for their purposes.  He was
round with his exulting and merciless a military"adventurer, selfish, cruel, and
enemies. The night before his execu- unprincipled, ready to sell his sword
tion he was visited with that deep, calm, to whatever party would pay the highest
refreshing sleep, which the Father of price for it, and regarding no law, human
mercies " gives to his beloved," and or divine, except the orders of his supeawoke in the morning marvellously re- rior in command, as he has himself disstored.  His memory returned, and all tinctly stated. This mercenary soldier
his faculties were remarkably revived, received orders to follow the directions. while his soul was filled with that " peace of the curates, and to pillage the defenceof God which passeth all understanding." less country people to the heart's content
He prepared a speech, which he read of their oppressors. In this Turner and.
with clear and audible voice on the scaf- his " lambs" rejoiced as a bloodless camfold, where also he prayed aloud with paign, where they might without danger
such fervour, liberty, and power, as as- indulge all their vicious propensities, as
tonished every auditor.  His last accents if in an enemy's country, and receive the
were those of prayer and praise; and thanks of the council for their service.
almost without a struggle he expired, When sent to any refractory Presbytewith his clasped hands held up to heaven rian to levy the imposed fine, if it was not
in the attitude of adoration.*        instantly paid, they took free quarters in
The more general sufferings of the his house, revelled in riot and drunkenChurch this year consisted in the expul- ness, destroyed much more than the
sion of a great number of the best minis- amount demanded, and inflicted the most
ters from their parishes, the intrusion of wanton insults and barbarous outrages on
the curates, and the grief which over- the unoffending people, without distincwhelmed the bereaved people. At Kirk- tion of age or sex, or, rather, with such
cudbright and Irongray the women op- distinctions as age and sex rendered possiposed the entrance of the curates in a ble. One of the most common of the
very determined manner, which drew    practices of these plunderers was, to go
down, not only upon themselves, but upon to some public-house in the vicinity of a
the whole parishes, and even districts of church where a Presbyterian minister
country which they inhabited, the severe not yet ejected preached, and after drinkdispleasure of the council and the prelates, ing till nearly the time when public worand gave occasion to the exaction of very ship terminated, then to hasten to the
heavy fines from persons suspected of be- church, place themselves at the churching attached to the Presbyterian Church. door, and demand of every person upon
The two deadly elements recently intro- oath, as they came out, whether they beduced by the prelates began to do their longed to that parish. If they could not
work.  The curates began to prosecute say they did, the fine was immediately
their congenial labour of acting as spies exacted, and when money could not be
and informers, conveying private informa- obtained, they seized upon their Bibles,
tion to the ruling powers against every hats, bonnets, plaids, and any part of
man whom they knew or suspected to be their clothing which could easily be caropposed to their base ministry and baser ried away and sold; returning from the
characters, keeping a list of all such per- violated house of prayer laden with booty,
sons, and delating them from time to time, as from a sacked and plundered city.
as their malicious dispositions prompted  [1664.] The beginning of the year
them. The army also began to be exten- 1664 was signalized by the re-erection
sively employed in the levying of fines, of the Court of High Commission. Sharp,
in which they were cheered on by the it appears, was not satisfied with the
curates with inhuman eagerness. Orders privy council, which, in his opinion, did
had been given by the privy council not display sufficient zeal and activity in
Naphtali, pp. 177-182.    the suppression of the Presbyterians. In




A. D. 1664.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    225
particular, he entertained suspicions of either passed sentence upon the bare acthe Eari of Glencairn, the chancellor, re- cusation, or required the oath of supregarding his influence as tending to retard macy to be taken, and, upon its being
and mitigate the course of persecution. refused, inflicted whatever sentence they
He therefore hastened to London, and thought proper, short of death. Some
prevailed upon the king to grant a corn- were reduced to utter poverty by fines;
mission for the re-erection of that dread- some were imprisoned till they contracted
ful court, to which should be intrusted fatal diseases; some were banished to the
the execution of all laws concerning remotest and most unhealthy and inhosecclesiastical matters.  This commission pitable parts of the kingdom; and some
was obtained on the 16th of January were actually sold for slaves.*  Of the
1664, and was, if possible, more arbitrary great numbers summoned to appear bein its character than its predecessor had fore this terrible court of inquisition, not
been.  Its basis was the essence of des- one is recorded to have escaped without
potism. " His majesty, by virtue of his suffering punishment, and often to an ex
royal prerogative in all causes, and over treme degree of severity.
all persons, as well ecclesiastical as civil,  One addition was made to the persecuhas given and granted," &c. In this ting acts already in force against the
commission there are nine prelates and ejected ministers, to the effect that no perthirty-five laymen; the quorum is five, son should give charitable relief to them
of which one must be a prelate.  They in their absolute starvation, on the pain
were empowered to summon before them  of being regarded as disaffected, and
and punish all the deposed ministers who movers of sedition. This appears to have
presumed to preach, all attenders of con- been done at the instigation of Alexander
venticles, all who kept meetings at fasts Burnet, archbishop, of Glasgow, who
and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, said that the only method to be taken
and all who write, speak, preach, or print with the fanatics, as he was pleased to
against Prelacy. They were empowered call them, was to starve them out.t About
to inflict censures of suspension and de- the same time a party of soldiers were
position; to levy fines and imprison; to sent to the parish of Dreghorn, to quarter
employ magistrates and military force for upon the people, and compel them, by
the apprehension of their victims; and direct force, to attend the preaching of the
finally, "to do and execute what they curate, who had been thrust into the
shall find necessary and convenient for parish after the expulsion of its former
his majesty's service in the premises."* minister.  This seems the climax of inSurely the heart of Sharp must have trusion; first, to force an unworthy crealeapt for joy when placed at the head of ture into a parish contrary to the stronglythis court of absolute despotism.  This expressed dissent of the congregation, and
was certainly prelacy restored to its full then, when they abstained from attendglory, under the dignified auspices of a ing his profanation of the ministry, to
perjured apostate.                    send a band of armed men to drive them
The proceedings of the Court of High like a flock of sheep to the place, not of
Commission were such as were to be ex- worship, but of desecration.
pected from  its spirit and construction.  [1665.] The persecution of the PresIt at once assumed the power of both the byterians continued during the year 1 665
swords, and acted equally as an ecclesi- with unabated rigour; but the persecu,
astical and as a civil court.  Holding the ting system was now so completely mamost intimate intercourse with the curates, tured, that little addition could be made to
who formed an organized espionage co- it. The prelates continued, to let loose
extensive with the nation, the Court of the soldiery upon the country, and to, en —
High Commission obtained information courage them to those excesses in outrage
respecting every sincere Presbyterian and plunder to which they were, of their,
throughout the   kingdom, summoned own accord, sufficiently prone.    The
every one whom it was their pleasure death of the Earl of Glencairn,. in the
to oppress, and, without the formalities preceding year,, gave Sharp hopes of oh
of citing witnesses and hearing evidence, taining the chancellorship; but this was
" Wodrow, vol i. pp. 381-386.   Wodr.ow, vol. i. p. 390,  tlKirkton, p. 218..
29




226              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.           [CHAP. VII
frustrated, as the Scottish nobility began tunity of exterminating the population, if
to be aisgusted with the arrogance of that they could not otherwise extirpate Presaspiring arch-prelate.  The Earl of bytery. Early in the spring, Sir James
Rothes was intrusted with the general Turner was again sent to devastate the
management of Scottish affairs, under south and west of Scotland. Nithsdale
the control of Lauderdale; and so far as and Galloway were the chief scenes of
Rothes was personally concerned, the his wasting visitations on this occasion;
persecution was somewhat relaxed; but and his oppressive conduct far outwent
in the Court of High Commission, and in any of his previous campaigns.  The
the privy council, the prelates continued soldiers availed themselves of the extento exercise the chief sway. Some dim sion of their powers which the late act
apprehensions appear to have been enter- against conventicles seemed intended to
tained, that the continued course of pre- give, and exacted fines at their pleasure
latic tyranny might at last provoke the from  each and all.  Gentlemen were
country to rise into resistance; for, dur- made answerable for their wives, chiling the summer of this year, Sir James dren, servants, and tenantry; and tenants
Turner was empowered to search the were fined if their landlords were held to
houses of the people for arms, and carry be disaffected, Like a swarm of eastern
them forcibly away. The act of fines locusts, the soldiery literally devoured
was also renewed, that this method of the country, wasting what provisions they
wearing out the Presbyterians might still could not use, and reducing the miserabe an available weapon in the hands of ble inhabitants to utter starvation. If any
the prelates. On the 7th of December, a person dared to complain, the only anproclamation was issued by the council swers were neglect or increased abuse.
"against conventicles."  This proclama- In the course of a few weeks the sum of
tion was of the same general import as fifty thousand pounds Scots was raised in
those which have already been specified, the west; and the exactions in Galloway
prohibiting the preaching, or even private were still more oppressive, and the presmeetings for worship, of the ejected min- ence of the plunderers of longer continuisters; only that it went considerably ation.*
beyond them in the power which it gave  Seven months had this excessive barof inflicting punishment, not only to the barity continued, not only with unabated
privy council, but to all such as had or vigour, but even increasing in its severity
should have his majesty's commission to in proportion as the exhausted state of the
that effect.'This was speedily interpreted country rendered it more difficult to levy
to imply, that even a private soldier, be- fines from  a people already reduced
cause he acted under the royal authority, nearly to starvation; when one act of
might, at his own discretion, seize, fine, shocking brutality put an end to the
drag to prison, or punish, " as he should patient endurance of intolerable wrongs,
think fit," any person who either held a and compelled the country to rise in the
conventicle, that is, worshipped God, attitude of self-defence. On the 13th of
others being present and joining in wor- November, while four countrymen, who
ship, attended one, or allowed one to be had been wandering in concealment from
held in his house.  The fearful use soon the devastators, were taking some refreshmade of this proclamation we shall have ment in the village of Dalry, in Upper
occasion to relate.                  Galloway, information was brought to
[1666.] The year 1666 is sadly mem- them that three or four soldiers were inorable in the annals of the Church of flicting the most barbarous abuse upon a
Scotland. During the space of the six poor old man, whom they had seized
preceding years, Prelacy had been speed- in order to compel him to pay the ruinous
ing on in its career of oppressive cruelty, fines which they demanded. They hastrampling under foot the dearest rights tened to the spot, and found the aged vicand privileges, civil and sacred, of the tim lying on the ground bound hand and
Presbyterian people. It seemed as if foot, and the soldiers proceeding to strip
there was a positive determination to him naked, in order to execute their hid
drive the country beyond all possible en- eous threat of stretching him upon a reddurance, that they might have the oppor-  wodrow, vol. ii.. 8, Naphintli, pp. 125 126, 235




A. D. 1666.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  227'
hot gridiron. The voice of outraged hu- death; but this was withstood by Neilson
manity was louder than the cold whisper of Corsack, whose property had been alof cowardly prudence, and they inter- most utterly ruined by the soldiery.
posed to rescue the venerable sufferer.  Having received a small addition to
The soldiers turned upon them  with their numbers at Dumfries, they resolved
drawn swords, so that they were cor- to march towards Ayrshire, in order to
pelled to fight in their own defence. A form a junction with the grieviously opbrief struggle ensued, in which one of pressed inhabitants of that district, on
the soldiers was wounded; upon which whose sympathy and support they confihis comrades yielded and were dis-dently calculated.   They accordingly
armed.*                             marched forward in that direction, and
The reflection of a few  moments meeting with Colonel Wallace, put themshowed the countrymen in what immi- selves under his command. But they
nent peril they had placed their lives by were miserably disappointed in their exthis unpremeditated act of humanity. pectations. The spirit of the west counThey knew well that their deed would be try seemed to be completely broken; and
designated rebellion, and that they need instead of rallying round the standard of
not hope for mercy, should they be religious liberty, they remained quietly in
seized. The people of the village and their homes, waiting the issue, willing to
neighbourhood were equally well aware avail themselves of freedom, should it be
that they would be counted participators gained, but unwilling to expose thenin the crime because they had not sup- selves to danger in the attempt to snap
ported the soldiers. Tamely to yield, asunder the chains of slavery.  The
would, they knew, be death; to rise gen- small band of insurgents moved from
erally in self-defence might secure more place to place, according to their expectafavourable terms, and, if unsuccessful, tions of being joined by their countrycould but be death. They resolved, men, but everywhere experienced the
therefore, to adopt the more manly and same discouragement. It was at length
rational alternative of self-defence; and seriously debated, whether they ought not
early next morning surprised a party of to separate, and seek comparative safety
about a dozen soldiers, who were quar- in a private return to their own abodes.;
tered in the vicinity, before they were for the rising had been so sudden and unaware of the seizure of their comrades. expected, that there existed no preconOne soldier, who would not yield, was certed understanding among the sufferkilled in the struggle; the rest submitted, ers in the different parts of the country;
and were disarmed and made prisoners. and very many considered the enterprise
Several of the neighbouring gentlemen as far too important to be undertaken
now joined the insurgents, and they without the previous arrangements which
marched hastily to Dumfries, where Sir would secure a wide-spread simultaneous
James Turner was, made him prisoner, movement. To this it may be added,
and disarmed all the troops who where that a number of leading gentlemen in
with him. They then proceeded in a the west had a short time before been
body to the market-place, and publicly seized on suspicion, by an order of the
avowing that their object was self-defence council.
alone, they drank his majesty's health,  In the meantime the alarm of the preand prosperity to his government, to lates was great. The Earl of Rothes
manifest their unshaken loyalty. And had gone to London a day or two before
in proof of their humanity, it must be re- the commencement of the insurrection;
corded, that notwithstanding the intense and Sharp himself had, in consequence,
and protracted oppression to which they become the head of the privy council.
had been subjected, no violence was of- Immediately upon the intelligence reach
fered even to Turner, who had been the ing Edinburgh, the council *met, dechief agent of the persecution. One spatched the tidings to the king, and gave
Gray, an Edinburgh merchant who hap- orders to raise an army for the supprespened to be in Dumfries, and joined them  sion of this dreadful rebellion and " hor
there, proposed the putting Sir James to rid conspiracy," as they termed it in their
Kirkton, p. 230; Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 17.  terror. Dalziel of Binns was appointed




228            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VIi.
to the command of the army; and all no-  They then marched to Lanark, where
blemen, gentlemen, and magistrates were they halted till they renewed the Coveurgently ordered to put the country in a nant, and prepared and published a destate of defence. Edinburgh assumed claration setting forth the cause of their
the appearance of a beseiged city; Glas- appearing in arms, and vindicating them
gow the same; the ferries of the Forth selves against the charge of rebellion.
were secured; and Stirling bridge bar- By this time Dalziel was lose at hand,
ricaded so as to resist the approach of an and they had no choice but to give him
army. A guilty conscience sounds a battle, or make a rapid march on Edinloud alarm, and the prelates appear to burgh. In the hope of being joined by
have believed that the whole kingdom  friends as they advanced, they resolved
was about to rise in arms, and inflict that still to shun an engagement, and continue
vengeance which their own hearts told their forward movement. After a dreadthem that they so fully deserved. So fully fatiguing march through the pathprompt and extensive were their defen- less moors between Lanark and Bathsive measures, that long before the insur- gate, they arrived at the latter place, late
gents had obtained any considerable ac- at night, and when they arrived, fir.;ing
cession to their strength, Dalziel's army no shelter, were compelled to continue
had mustered at Glasgow in far more their exhausting march. When mornthan sufficient force both to crush them  ing dawned, it was found that the half
and to overawe the western counties.  of their little army had melted away,
The small and unsupported band of worn out by excessive fatigue, and their
Presbyterian sufferers, learning that the spirits exhausted  by this destructive
army was approaching, and receiving march of a day and night, drenched with
little assistance from their friends, drew  heavy rains, and without food, shelter, or
towards the hilly part of the country, repose. Next day they continued their
marching from Cumnock by Muirkirk march to Collington, about three miles
to Doug.as, where they halted, and con- from Edinburgh; but there they learned
suited whether they should there disperse that no assistance was to be expected
or continue in arms.  The result of their from that town, nor from their friends
deliberations was a firm determination to in the east country. A messenger came
persevere, and either to secure their reli- to them there, sent by the Duke of Hamgious liberties, or to fall in their defence. ilton, to persuade them to lay down their
They could not, they said, expect a arms, in the hope of an indemnity which
clearer warrant to rise in self-defence the duke promised to endeavour to pro.
than they at present had, when every cure.   But as no mention was made of
thing dear to them as men and Christians redressing their grievances, they refused
was at stake.  They were persuaded to submit to such terms. Again the
that the hand of Providence was in the former messenger, the laird of Blackmatter; that there was a distinct call of wood, returned, and offered Dalziel's
sacred duty for them to go forward; and word of honor for a cessation of arms for
whether it might be God's pleasure to a day, till a letter might be sent to the
assert His own cause by their means at privy council, to ascertain what answer
that time, by granting them victory and could be given to their demands. There
deliverance, though but an handful, or is reason to believe, that this cessation of
to employ them merely as sufferihg wit- arms was offered by Dalziel as a stratanesses for the truth, still it seemed to be gem, to keep them  in suspense, till he
their duty to persevere, till they should should be ready to assail them; and no
have as clear a warning to desist as they answer was returned by the council to
already had to begin the enterprise. their demands, the object being to keep
"We will follow on," said these heroic them in suspense.
Christian soldiers, " till God shall do his  Colonel Wallace seems to have susservice by us; and though we should all pected the design of his antagonists, and
die at the end of it, we think the giving therefore began to retreat, taking the diof a testimony enough for all."*      rection most likely to enable him to retire in safety. He moved towards higher' Wallace's Narrative, in M'Crie's Lives of Veitch tire in afety. He moved towards higher
san4:Brysson, p. 402.                 grounds, less accessible to cavalry round



A. D. 1665.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    229
ing the shoulder of the Pentland Hills, broken Covenanters.  A considerable
intending to retreat by Biggar, along the part of Dalziel's cavalry was composed
skirts of the mountain range. Towards of gentlemen, who were not eager to
evening, on the 28th of November, he shed unnecessarily the blood of their
halted on the side of a ridge called Rul- persecuted and unfortunate but brave
lion Green, to call in the stragglers and countrymen. About fifty were killed in
to refresh. the men. Scarcely had he the battle, and as many taken in the
taken up this position when the van of pursuit. The soldiers, after the conflict,
Dalziel's army appeared, which had ad- stripped the dead and dying, and left
vanced through a pass farther westward, their naked bodies exposed to the chill
with the evident design of cutting off the severity of a November night, freezing
retreat of the Covenanters. Wallace's their blood before life was quite extinct.
army did not exceed nine hundred, while Next day the prisoners were dragged to
Dalziel's was at least thrice as numerous. Edinburgh, the army entering the town
But as Wallace had taken up a strong in triumph, as if they had achieved a
position, his antagonist hesitated some glorious victory over fierce invaders, the
time before proceeding to the attack. citizens gazing on the hapless victims
At length a party of the royal cavalry through tears of unavailing pity. They
advanced to charge'the Covenanters, were cast into prison till the privy counwho detached an equal number to meet cil should determine what punishment
them. A sharp encounter took place on should be inflicted. Thus was suppressed
the level ground between the armies till that unpremeditated and ill-supported inthe royalists recoiled and fled. Again surrection, commonly termed the Rising
did they assail the Covenanters, and of Pentland, taking its designation from
again were beaten back to their main the place where the battle was fought.
army. A third charge proved equally    And now began a scene of horrors,
unsuccessful  But by these successive which may not be altogether passed over,
encounters the Covenanters had been and yet which sickens the heart too
drawn from their position, nearer to the much to permit us to dwell on its dreadplain  and Dalziel now put his whole ful details. The cowardly terror of the
force in motion to assail them. Wallace prelates had been extreme, and now their
hesitated a moment whether to resume thirst of vengeance could not be satishis position and act on the defensive, till fied.  Rothes was still in London;
night should terminate the conflict; but, consequently, till his return, Sharp reaware that the next morning would find tained the presidency of the council,
his own forcediminished, and that of his and all its acts were issued in his
enemy increased, while, even if defeated, name. First, the lord treasurer was orthe nature of the ground, and the fading dered to secure the property of all who
light, would enable him to retreat with had been at Pentland, which was equivlittle loss, he resolved to meet the shock. alent to an act of general confiscation of
While Dalziel was advancing, the Cov- the greater part of Galloway and Ayrenanters spent the grim battle-pause in shire.  Next, General Dalziel was comprayer, and then stood ready for the final manded to " search for and apprehend
struggle. Once more did they beat back all persons who had been in arms with
their first assailants; but while their left the rebels, or were suspected, or who had
wing and main body were pressing vic- given shelter or assistance to them:" and
toriously forward, their right was de- was empowered to quarter upon their
feated, and Dalziel, charging with an lands with his forces. Soon afterwards
overwhelming force on their unprotected a proclamation was issued, forbidding all
flank, threw them into inextricable con- subjects to correspond with or conceal
fusion, and pursuing his advantage, scat- the persons of a great number of gentletered their broken ranks, and drove them  men, ministers, and elders, mentioned
precipitately from this well-fought field.* by name, or, " any others concerned in
The pursuit was not continued long, the late rebellion;" and commanding
for night speedily closed in, casting its them to pursue, seize, and deliver them
favouring shades over the wearied and up to justice, on pain of being regarded' Wallace's Narrative, pp. 415-419.  as equally criminal; and the prelatic cu



230             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
rates were particularly enjoined to furnish fearful engine of torture; shrieking nalistsofall suspended persons,-an employ- ture attested his agony, but his soul -vas
ment worthy of such men, and in which clear of the guilt wherewith he was
they engaged with great alacrity and zeal. charged, and he would not blacken it by
The trial of the prisoners was then making a false acknowledgment of a
begun,-a trial in which condemnation crime of which he was innocent. When
had been predetermined before evidence the persecutors found that they could exwa.-sought. Eleven ofthemwerebrought tort nothing from him but groans and
before the Court of Justiciary; and, after anguish, they condemned him to suffer,
a brief form of trial, were condemned to along with his guiltless friends, the shorter
be hanged, and their heads and right pangs of death.*
hands cut off and disposed of as the   Hugh M'Kail was the next victim of
council might see fit. One of them died torture.  He was a young preacher,
*of his wounds before the day of execu- learned, eloquent, and eminently pious.
tion: the other ten were hanged on one He had been but a short while with the
gibbet on the 7th of December. Their insurgents, and had left them before the
heads were fixed up at Kirkcudbright, day of the battle, unable to endure the
Kilmarnock, and Hamilton, and their fatigue to which they were exposed; but
right hands at Lanark, because they had he had, on one occasion, when preaching,
sworn the Covenant there.  The joint and having cause to speak of the suffertestimony and dying speches of these ings of the Church in all ages, said, that
martyrs for Christ's crown and covenant it had been persecuted by a Pharaoh on
are recorded in Naphtali, and prove con- the throne, a Haman in the State, and a
vincingly that it was indeed for the cause Judas in the Church; and though he
of religion that their blood was shed.* made no application of this statement,
Other five were tried without the aid of it had reached the ears of Sharp, was
counsel, and put to the same death on the thought himself alluded to under the
14th of December.                    character of Judas. For this he would
The death of John Neilson of Corsack have been laid hold of at the time, had
demands more particular mention.  He he not gone abroad, and escaped for a
was a gentleman of considerable property little the prelate's rage. But he was now
in Galloway, of superior talents, and of in the hands of his enemy, and was to sufunblemished character. But in this last fer the dire effects of implacable revenge.
particular consisted his unpardonable   When he was brought before the
crime. He was too much of a Christian council, he was interrogated respecting
for the curates, and consequently he was the leaders of the insurrection, and what
included in their list, and exposed to the correspondence they had, either at home
ruinous exactions of Sir James Turner and or abroad. He declared himself utterly
his brutal soldiery. When the people of unacquainted with any such corresponGalloway rose in self-defence, he joined dence; and frankly stated how far he
them; and, notwithstanding the cruel had taken part in their proceedings. The
treatment whieh he and his family had instrument of torture was then laid before
received from Turner, Mr. Neilson argued him, and he was informed that, if he did
strenuously and successfully against the not confess, it should be applied next day.
proposal of some to put the oppressor to On, the following day, he was again
death.  As the prelates could not con- brought before the council, and again
ceive that the persecuted Presbyterians ordered to confess, on the pain of immewould have dared to rise in self-defence diate torture. He declared solemnly that
unless there had been a widely extended he had no more to confess. The execuconspiracy, they determined to extort a tioner then placed his leg in the horrid
confession of the nature and extent of instrument, applied the wedge, and prothis plot from such of the prisoners as ceeded to his hideous task. When one
were certain to be acquainted with it if heavy blow had driven in the wedge,
it existed. For this reason they resolved and crushed the limb severely, he was
to put Neilson to the torture of the boot. again urged to confess, but in vain.
In vain did they crush his leg in this Blow after blow succedeed, at consider
~ Naphtali, pp. 182-192.' Wodrow, vol. ii., p. 53.




A. D. 1665      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     231
able intervals, protracting  the terrible Presbyterian, and will be regarded by
agony; but still, with true Christian for- the Church of Scotland as one of the
titude, the'heroic martyr possessed his fairest jewels that ever she was honoured
soul in patience. Seven or eight succes- to add to the conquering Redeerer's
sive blows had crushed the flesh and crown of glory.
sinews to the very bone, when he pro-   It is almost too disgraceful to human
tested solemnly in the sight of God, that nature to record, that before the death of
he could say no more, though all the M'Kail, and after several executions had
joints of his body were in as great tor- taken place, a letter came from the king,
ture as that poor leg. Yet thrice more prohibiting any more lives from being
the wedge was driven in, till the bone taken; but Sharp and Burnet suppressed
itself was shattered by its iron compres- this letter till after the death of M'Kail, so
sion, and a heavy swoon relieved him  that they may justly be charged with the
from longer consciousness of the mortal cold, deliberate murder of that guiltless
agony.  He was carried back to prison; youth, and of violating the most sacred
and soon afterwards condemned to death. prerogative of the crown, that they might
Between the day of his condemnation perpetrate the monstrous deed.*  This
and that of his death, his mind was in a barbarous conduct of Sharp, which was
continual state of holy joy and heavenly generally known at the time, tended
peace.  When brought to the place of greatly to increase the detestation in
execution, he was more than serene; he which he and his coadjutors were hel.
was filled with unutterable transport. by the people. Indeed, the sufferings of
His last speech breathed the very spirit the unfortunate victims who were put to
of the Christian martyr's triumph: its death after the Pentland insurrection, and
conclusion is inexpressibly sublime. "And especially their dying speeches, produced
now I leave off to speak any more to a deep impression throughout the whole
creatures, and turn my speech to thee, O of Scotland. It was easy to brand the
Lord.  And now I begin my intercourse insurrection with the name of rebellion,
with God, which shall never be broken and to assert that the victims suffered on
off. Farewell, father and mother, friends account of their having been guilty of
and relations; farewell, the world and treason; but the conduct of the men
all delights; farewell, meat and drink; themselves on the scaffold, the speeches
farewell, sun, moon, and stars. Wel- they uttered there, and the written testicome, God and Father; welcome, sweet monies they left behind them, wrought
Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant; conviction in the hearts of their sympawelcome, blessed Spirit of grace, and thizing countrymen, and awoke a reGod of all consolation; welcome, glory; sponse which acts of privy council could
welcome, eternal life; welcome, death. no more check than they could stem the
O Lord, into thy hands I commit my rising tide. Men began to ask, whether
spirit; for thou hast redeemed my soul, that could be a bad cause for which such
Lord God of truth."*                  martyrs suffered so heroically; and wheThus passed from earth, on the 22d ther that could be a good cause which reof December 1666, one of the brightest, sorted to such methods to secure its
purest, and most sanctified spirits that triumph? And many who had disliked
ever animated a mere human form; a and opposed the west country Whigs, as
victim to prelatic tyranny, and a rejoicing they were sometimes termed, began to
martyr for Christ's sole kingly dominion entertain a still stronger dislike to the
over his Church, and for that sacred prelates, who had displayed such a relentCovenant in which the Church of Scot- less and persecuting spirit, and such utter
land had vowed allegiance to her Divine disregard of all liberty, civil and reliand only Head and King.      Till the gious. It is not, we trust, necessary to
records of time shall have melted into vindicate the Pentland insurrection now;
those of eternity, the name of that for the very same principles which urged
young Christian martyr will be held in these martyrs of civil and religious liberty
most affectionate remembrance and fer- to take up arms in their own defence,
vent admiration by every true Scottish
" Wodrow, vol i, p. 38; Kirkton, p. 255; Memoirs
Naphtali, pp. 218-234.    of Veitch, p 37; Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 237.




232             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VII.
were afterwards espoused by the whole of Dalziel or Turner, Bannatyne added
empire at the Revolution, and cannot now  the most atrocious indulgence in lascivibe gainsaid by any man who is not in ous licentiousness, both in his own conhis heart a tyrant or a slave.       duct and that of the soldiery. Female
[1667.] Soon after the privy council chastity was exposed to every nameless
had glutted their vengeance with the outrage, the presence of parents or huspublic execution of a considerable num- bands being no protection to young maiber of persons both at Edinburgh and in dens or married women, but exposing to
different parts of the country, the army insult, wounds and death, those men who
was sent to the disaffected districts, under presumed to defend their daughters, their
the command of General Dalziel, with sisters, or their wives, from the infamous
full powers to him to gratify his savage attempts of Bannatyne and his brutal
disposition by inflicting whatsoever bar- crew.*  That in acts of mere cruelty
barities he pleased upon the unoffending Bannatyne was not inferior to Dalziel
people. It was not necessary for him to himself, appears from his treatment of a
go through the tardy process of a trial; woman in the parish of Dairy, whom he
the previous acts of council had given to tortured by tying matches betwixt her
persons bearing his majesty's commis- fingers and setting them on fire, because
sion, powers which a little straining she was supposed to have assisted her
would make amply sufficient for all ty- husband in escaping from the hands of
rannical purposes; and Dalziel felt no his pursuers.  To such an extent did
difficulty in straining them to the utmost, they proceed in their barbarity, that one
and putting the whole country under of her hands was entirely destroyed, and
military law.  At Kilmarnock, where she died of the effects of the torture within
he took up his head-quarters, he not only a few days.
let loose the soldiery,-he hounded them  But the prelates and the council had
on with the most relentless ferocity. Sus- another object in view than merely the
picion of having been with the insurgents, gratification of their cruelty.  They
or given them food, or of entertaining wished to secure to themselves and their
favourable sentiments with regard to fiiends the property of those who either
them and their cause, was by him consi- had been, or were suspected of having
dered proof enough, on the strength of been, concerned in the Pentland rising.
which he might inflict any punishment They therefore contrived to procure an
which caprice or cruelty might dictate. opinion from the Court of Session, that
Money was extorted from those who had persons accused of treason might be conany; upon others the troops were quar- demned in absence, a sentence of death
tered till they had "eaten up" every kind passed upon them, and their estates forof sustenance, and reduced their victims feited. In consequence of this unpreceto starvation; numbers were crowded dented opinion, the property of the most
into a dungeon in the prison so densely, considerable gentlemen in several disthat they could only stand upright day tricts of Clydesdale and Galloway fell
and night, though sick and dying from  into the hands of these rapacious persecuits noisome and pestilential vapours; tors, and in a short time Dalziel and his
some were, without trial, and upon the lieutenant, Drummond, received the esbare orders of the general, shot dead, tates of Caldwell and Kersland, as a restripped naked, and left weltering in ward for their services.
their blood upon the spot were they had  But symptoms of a change of measures
thus been murdered; and one woman, began to appear. Several of the nobility
merely because a man had fled through had become weary of this incessant course
her house and escaped the pursuit of the of persecution in which they were kept
soldiers, was cast into a pit swarming by the prelates, as well as disgusted with
with noxious reptiles.               the pride of these domineering churchIn Galloway, the military command men.    The majority of the council was
was intrusted to Sir William Bannatyne composed of prelates and officers in the
instead of Sir James Turner; but the army; and the Scottish barons felt themchange was even for the worse to the per- selves insulted and degraded by the consecuted Presbyterians. To all the cruelties' Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 15.




A. D. 1667.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  233
duct and the company of such men. and servants, under the penalty of a full
Lauderdale was quite aware of this state year's rent.  The enforcement of this
of matters, and contrived to countermine bond was likely enough to fill the coffers
the prelatic party, and to procure a letter of the treasury; but there was anothel
from the king to the council, giving per- effect which it might have had, and was
mission to imprison and try all suspected probably intended to have,-it caused not
persons, but not sanctioning the arbitrary a little discussion among religious and
forfeitures; and at the same time an jnti- conscientious people whether it might be
mation was given to Sharp to confine taken with propriety. It was so comprehimself to his own diocese, and not inter- hensive in its terms, that it might be exmeddle with public affairs. This disap- plained as consenting to the existing
pointment checked their zeal considera- forms of government in the Church, as
bly; and when, some time afterwards, a well as in the State; and if so, none who
positive order came from  his majesty, were opposed to Prelacy could with sincommanding the army to be disbanded, cerity subscribe any such bond.  The
with the exception of the guards, they differences of opinion entertained by the
were in despair, Burnet, archbishop of Presbyterians concerning the bond of
Glasgow, exclaiming, "Now that the peace, did not produce any dissensions
army is disbanded, the gospel will go out among them; and it was not long till
of my diocese."*  What idea that arch- very different measures put an end to the
prelate entertained of the gospel, may be danger of disunion on that account. The
easily conjectured. Now that the army council, during some of their sittings
was to be disbanded, it came to be a seri- towards the close of the year, gave
ous question with the privy council how  proof of their critical acumen by emitthe country was to kept in peace without ting a proclamation against Brown of
a military power. It formed no part of Wamphray's "Apologetical Relation,"
their scheme to promote peace by abstain- and the well-known book called " Naphing from committing outrages upon the tali, or the Wrestlings of the Church of
country. But they were divided between Scotland."  These works, however, surthe enforcement of the declaration and vive, notwithstanding the impotent wrath
the framing of a new document to be of men who hate the truth because it contermed the Bond of Peace.    Chiefly demns them, and will survive so long as
through the influence of Sir Robert truth is valued, martyrs held in honour,
Murray, the council determined upon the and tyranny abhorred.
bond of peace, which was accordingly  [1668.] In the beginning of the year
passed. About the same time an act of 1668, the council, in which the prelatic
indemnity to those who had been con- party had for a time lost their ascendency,
cerned in the late insurrection was trans- thought proper to inquire into the conmitted from the king, and also passed by duct of Sir James Turner, whose cruelty
the council, but clogged with so many ex- and oppression had caused the insurrecceptions that it proved an indemnity in tion, and of Sir William  Bannatyne,
name rather than reality. "In the be- whose still greater enormities were not
ginning," says Wodrow, L' it pardoned unlikely to provoke another similar atall; in the middle very few; and in the tempt. Turner proved that he had not
end none at all."  Both the act of in- exceeded his commission; but yet he was
demnity and the bond of peace were pub- deprived of his military rank, as some
lished on the 9th of October.       atonement to the feelings of the country.
The bond of peace varied somewhat Bannatyne was convicted of having perin its forms, but its chief provision was, petrated such barbarities as humanity
that the person taking it bound and could not endure, and he was sentenced
obliged himself to keep the public peace, to banishment. He retired to the contiand not to rise in arms against or without:nent, and was soon afterwards killed by
his majesty's authority; and in the act of a cannon-ball at the seige of Grave. But
council enforcing it, noblemen, gentle- while the council thought proper to remen, and heritors were compelled to be- move these bloody men from places of
come bound for themselves, their tenants, trust, there was little abatement in the
Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 89.  severities employed against those who
30




234             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. V1.
had been concerned in the late insurrec- bishop Sharp. Mitchell had been to
tion, or those who refused to subscribe some extent implicated in the insurrection
dhe bond of peace. In a letter to the which was suppressed at Pentland, and
king, mention is made of the numbers was excepted from the indemnity. After
who had yielded, and of those who still having wandered about for some time in
held out; and in a private letter from  daily peril of his life, and having seen
Tweeddale to Lauderdale, it was more many of his fiiends perish on the scafminutely stated, that two hundred and fold, others driven into banishment, their
eighteen had submitted, three hundred property confiscated, and their families
and nine refused, eighty had been killed reduced to starvation, the sense of intolin the the field, forty executed, thirty-one erable wrong, national and individual, so
had died in the counties of Galloway and far influenced his mind, that he determinDumfries, thirty had fled, and twenty ed to avenge his suffering country upon
forfeited; amounting to about seven hun- the perjured and relentless author of her
dred sufferers out of a small army not sufferings.  This determination he disexceeding nine hundred when broken at closed to no person, but provided himself
Pentland.*                           privately with a pair of pistols, and
The acts against conventicles were this watched for an opportunity of meeting
year enforced with greater rigour than with Archbishop Sharp.  On the llth of
they had previously been, in consequence July he perceived the primate's carriage
of the repeated complaints of the curates ready for its owner's reception, and ianthat some of the ejected ministers con- mediately took up such a position as
tinued to preach, and that where such might place the person of his enemy
was the case, the people almost univer- within his reach. The archbishop ensally deserted their own ministry. War- tered the coach and took his seat; Mit.
rants were accordingly issued to appre- chell stepped forward, aimed, and fired
hend all ejected ministers, or others, who the pistol; but at that moment Honeyshould keep conventicles; and the magis- man, bishop of Orkney, in entering the
trates of burghs were obliged to sign a carriage, stretched forth his arm, and rebond to pay a certain sum if a conventicle ceived the ball in his wrist. Thus it was
should be held within their jurisdiction. turned aside from Sharp, and the excited
Several eminent ministers were seized in sufferer saved from the commission of a
consequence of this increased severity, of great crime. The cry immediately rose
whom the most distinguished were, Mi- that a man was killed, and people began
chael Bruce, who had been a minister in to rush to the spot where the deed had
Ireland, Thomas Hogg, minister at Kil- taken place; but when this cry was met
team, and John Wilkie, a very aged by the response'that it was only a
man, whose infirmities rendered him phy- bishop," the crowd quietly dispersed.
sically incapable of committing the al- Mitchell escaped from observation and
leged crime for which he was oppressed, pursuit, and remained undetected for sevenot having been out of his own house ral years.*
above twice during the course of a whole  This criminal attempt by a man whor
year.                                persecution had driven nearly mad, was
Notwithstanding these severities, the productive of very injurious consequences
oppression of the Presbyterians was con- to the cause of Presbyterians. For alsiderably relaxed upon the whole, and though, as a party, they were not in the
there appeared some probability that even slightest degree implicated in Mitchell's
more favourable terms would be granted. guilty attempt, it was charged against
But an incident occurred which had a them; and on the pretence of searching
most injurious effect in every point of for the assassin, or for persons concerned,
view, both in leading to a renewal of the as was alleged, in a murderous conspirapersecution, and in giving a degree of cy of which he was merely the agent,
plausibility to the accusations  urged great numbers of people were brought
against the Presbyterians.  This was an into trouble, and subjected to grievous
attempt made by a preacher of the name hardships. Several persons were appreof James Mitchell to assassinate Arch- hended on suspicion; and, among others,' Wodrcw  vol. ii. p. 107; Sir J. Turner's Memoirs.'Wodrow, vol. ii. pp. 115,116; Naphtali, pp. 250-260.




A. D. 1669.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    235
three women, two of whom were widows. comparative peace to the country.  At
One of them, a minister's widow, was length, on the 15th of July, a letter from
threatened with the torture of the boot, the king was laid before the council by
which would have been inflicted had not Tweeddale, containing the indulgence.
Rothes jestingly said, "It was not proper Its chief provisions were, that the privy
for gentlewomen to wear boots." She was, council should " appoint so many of the
however sentenced to be imprisoned, and ejected ministers as had lived peaceably
then banished to the colonies.*       and orderly," either to, return to the par[1669.J-The proceedings against con- ishes whence they had been expelled, if
venticles, as they were called, continued still vacant, or to such others as the counduring the early part of the year 1669; cil should approve of; that they should
and in order to enforce the suppression be allowed to receive the stipend of such
of these meetings as effectually as the parishes, upon condition of their receivwant of a sufficient military force would ing the consent of the patron, and collaadmit, there were appointed collectors of tion from the bishop, to which, if they
fines, who were sent to the several disaf- would not submit, they should only posfected districts. But these collectors fell sess the manse and glebe;. that they
far short of the soldiery in their exac- should be strictly enjoined to keep prestions; so that the Presbyterians obtained byteries and synods, that is, to attend diosome mitigation of their sufferings. The cesan meetings held by the prelates, for
archbishop of Glasgow exerted himself there were no truly Presbyterian meetto the utmost to oppress the non-conform. ing; that they should not allow the peoing ministers; but when they were called pie from the other parishes to attend their
before the council, their defence was so churches and receive ordinances; and
calmly urged, and with such strength of that all these favours should be withreason, that the proceedings against them  drawn if they should publicly speak or
were allowed to drop, greatly to the preach against the ecclesiastical supremamortification of the disappointed arch- cy of the king.  In conclusion, it is debishop.                               clared, that seeing all pretences for conBut the chief event of this year was the venticles are thus taken away, if any
passing of the first indulgence.  It has should thereafter presume to hold or frebeen already mentioned, that the nobility quent them, " our express pleasure is,
had become weary of the continued course that you proceed with all severity against
of persecution in which the intolerance the preachers and hearers as seditious
and cruelty of the prelates kept them en- persons, and contemners of our authority.
gaged; and that Sharp's duplicity and   This indulgence appeared to the pretyranny had at length impelled the king lates to be greatly too favourable to the
to prohibit his further interference in the persecuted Presbyterians; and meetings
affairs of the nation. In England, also, were held to devise by what methods it
a more temperate line of policy had been might be rendered as little beneficial to
pursued since the fall of Clarendon; and the ejected ministers as possible. It could
Charles himself had become impatient not be set aside, since it was the king's
of the continual complaints addressed to declared will; but Sharp consoled his
him from all quarters against prelatic afflicted brethren, by promising to do his
cruelty, and had expressed his intention utmost to " make it a bone of contention
to be no longer the king of a party, but to the Presbyterians."*  His device, it
the king of the whole people."  Lau- appears, was, to revive the old contest
derdale had no peculiar regard for the between the resolutioners and the protesprelates, and had repeatedly interfered to ters, by proposing that the indulgence
check the persecuting zeal of Sharp. should be granted to the resolutioners
Tweeddale was still more favourable, alone.t  But this contest had sunk into
and had held interviews with some of the comparative  insignificance, in  conseejected ministers, with a view to ascertain quence of the fiercer fires of the persecuwhether some terms of mutual accommo- tion into which the whole Church had
dation might not be framed, or some been thrown, and by which they had
measure adopted, calculated to restore
Wodrow, Vol. ii.      Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 131.  t Burnet'e Own' Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 118.  t Ibidl, p. 115.  Times, vol. i. p. 278.




236            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VII
been, as it were, fused into union.  Yet were included in the first indulgence
Sharp's wily scheme was so far followed, amounted to forty-two. All of them
that when the council selected those to made some form of protestation against
whom the indulgence was to be offered, the royal supremacy, or at least some dethey endeavoured to induce those who claration of the opposite principle; and
had been of the resolutioners to accept very few accepted of either the direct prethe ensnaring boon, and in many instances sentation of a patron, or collation from a
they were but too successful.         bishop.  Their wish appears to have
At first ten were selected to whom the been to obtain liberty to resume the disindulgence was offered; and of those the charge of their ministerial duties without
most distinguished was George Hutchi- molestation, though at the same time withson, who had been one of the ministers of out receiving any stipend, and so far their
Edinburgh   before the Glasgow   Act. conduct was disinterested and unselfish;
Hutchison, in his own name and that of but it proved extremely detrimental to the
his brethren, returned thanks to his ma- cause of the Church of Scotland.  It
jesty and the council for this act of clem- divided the ejected ministers into two parency; guarding their acceptance, how- ties, the Indulged and the Non-indulged,
ever, by saying, i" We having received and thereby put an end to that unanimity
our ministry from Jesus Christ, with pre- which their common sufferings had rescriptions from  him for regulating us produced, and which, since the Pentland
therein, must, in the discharge thereof, be insurrection  had  been increasing  so
accountable to him."   This cautious steadily, as to promise ere long to be bestatement gave satisfaction to no party. yond the power of kings and councils to
Those of the council who most strenu- subdue. Much has been written respectously asserted the royal supremacy, were ing the indulgence, and the propriety of
displeased with it, as containing a denial complying with it, for the sake of peace
of that high prerogative; while on the and liberty to preach the gospel. But
other hand, the greater part of the Pres- the whole discussion may be resolved into
byterian ministers regarded it as a weak the question, which of three things ought
and sinful betrayal of the great doctrine to have been chosen by the Church;
of Christ's sole supremacy. And cer- whether unanimously to accept the indultainly, if the reader has entered fully gence, in which case she would at once
into the principles which have been re- have become prelatic; or unanimously to
peatedly brought before his notice in the reject it, in which case it would fall
preceding pages of this history, he must harmlessly to the ground; or some to rebe aware that the indulgence proceeded ceive and some to reject, in which case the
upon a principle clearly subversive of the Church would be divided, weakened, and
Presbyterian Church.  Its very existence trampled in the dust. The first could
depended upon the king's supremacy in not be chosen without injury; the second
matters ecclesiastical; without which he would have been the choice of high princould have neither the right nor the ciple and sound prudence; the third was
power, on his own sole authority, and by the course followed, recommended by the
his absolute command, to depose, suspend, usual weak and shortsighted arguments
restore and limit ministers in the discharge of expediency, and proved to be the
of their strictly ministerial functions. course of ruin.  The fatal effects resultViewing it, therefore, solely as a matter ing from this division, caused by partial
of principle, we have no hesitation in say- compliance with the indulgence, might
ing, that not one of the ejected ministers teach, if men could be taught by the exought to have accepted     the  indul- perience of others, how dangerous it is to
gence, because it was impossible to do so quit the path which clear principle points
without sacrificing the fundamental ad out, however beset with perils, and to
essential principle of the Presbyterian turn aside into the crooked by-ways of
Church-that which constitutes its glory human expediency, allured by the fallaand its life-the sole sovereignty of cious hopes of peace and safety.
Christ.                                 It appears that a little reflection showed
The whole number of ministers who the privy council that they had proceeded
Brown's History of the Inulgence, passion.  rashly in giving immediate effect to the




A. D. 1670.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   237
indulgence, merely upon the authority " So now the Episcopal party, that were
of his majesty's letter, as it was contrary wont to put all authority in the king as
to several existing laws, which could not long as he was for them, began to talk
be repealed or superseded without a meet- of law."  A meeting of the clergy of
ing of parliament. At the same time that diocese was held, and a strong rethere was a proposal to unite the Scottish monstrance was drawn up against the inand English parliaments into one, which dulgence. When it was transmitted to
also would require to be discussed in the the king, he termed it another Western
parliaments of the respective countries. Remonstrance, said it was as bad as
For these reasons a parliament was called, Guthrie's, and ordered the archbishop
after an interval of eight years. Its first to be deposed. Leighton, bishop of Dunact, passed on the 16th of November, was blane, was translated to the archbishopric
intended to legalize the indulgence.  It of Glasgow, where he soon afterwards
certainly accomplished that purpose, and took a leading part in attempting to arnot a little more. It commenced by sta- range the terms of an accommodation with
ting the necessity of clearly asserting his the Presbyterian ministers.
majesty's power and authority in relation  [1670.] The year 1670 began with
to matters and persons ecclesiastical; and severe measures against the indulged
then proceeded to declare, " That his ma- ministers, at the instigation of the prelates
jesty hath the supreme authority and because they did not conform in all partisupremacy over all persons and in all culars to the very terms of the indulgence.
causes ecclesiastical within this his king- They were prohibited from lecturing,
dom; and that, by virtue thereof, the or- because the curates did not or could not
dering and disposal of the external gov- lecture. They were watched narrowly
ernment and policy of the Church doth as to their conduct in granting ordinanproperly belong to his majesty and his ces to people who came from  other
successors, as an inherent right of the parishes. And they were called before
crown; and that his majesty and his suc- a committee appointed by the privy councessors may settle, enact, and emit such cil, and compelled to answer generally
constitutions, acts, and orders, concerning as to the manner in which they dischargthe administration of the external govern- ed their ministry.  This must have
ment of the Church, and the persons em- shown them that, in complying with the
ployed in the same, and concerning all indulgence, they had really subjected
ecclesiastical meetings, and matters to. be themselves to the arrogated supremacy
proposed and determined therein, as they of the king and the council in ecelesiasin their royal wisdom shall think fit." It tical matters.
is wholly unnecessary to offer any corn-  And as the indulgence had, according
ment on an act which utterly abolished to its own statement, taken away all preall church power whatever, and elevated tence for conventicles, the acts against
the king at once to the state and power of these meetings were enforced with ina royal pope.  Indeed, it put it com- creased severity.  This was the more
pletely into the power of the king or his practicable, in consequence of an act passuccessor to restore Popery whenever he sed by the parliament respecting the
might think proper; and Burnet is of militia, in which the power of arming
opinion that Lauderdale, who knew the the subjects, and keeping them as a standsentiments of the Duke of York, pro- ing force for any purpose in which his
cured the passing of this act for that very majesty might think proper to employ
purpose.*                           them, was declared to be an inherent
This act proved to be of too potent a right of the crown. By this act, the loss
character for even the prelates. Alexan- of the army, which had been disbanded,
der Burnet, archbishop of Glasgow, was amply supplied, and a sufficient
had been exceedingly opposed to the in- military force again put into the hands
dulgence; and now when this act was of the council. Several ministers were
passed, he saw that it placed his own or- seized and punished for keeping convender as much in the power of the sove- tides; and a considerable number of
reign as it did the Presbyterian ministers. country gentlemen were subjected to' Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 284.   * Bur; et's Own Times, p. 233.




238             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VII
heavy fines for giving countenance to "fining, imprisonment, or banishment to
these meetings. But, instead of being the plantations."  By this it was intend
discouraged and ceasing to meet together, ed to compel people to give evidence
both ministers and people seemed to be- against their nearest relatives and dearest.ome the more resolute as they were the friends. Another act " anent field-conmore severely treated. What were term- venticles" was of a still more crimson
ed field-conventicles, or field meetings, hue. It prohibits all "outed ministers,"
began to be frequently held, and nu- and "other persons not authorised by
merously attended.  The first of these the bishop of the diocese," from preachTeld-meetings, at which people appeared ing, expounding Scripture, or praying
n arms for their own defence, was held except in their own houses, and to their
~ Beath-hill, in the parish of Dunferm- own family alone; appointing heavy and
me, about the middle of June.  Wor- ruinous fines to be exacted from all who
hip was conducted chiefly by the Rev. should violate these restrictions, and renTohn Blackadder, who had been ejected dering the heads of every household anseveral years before, and had resolutely swerable for each other and for the memrefused to conform. Great numbers at- bers of their families. It further ordains
tended from the whole country round; that those who " convocate" or conduct
and when some officers of militia came, such conventicles in the fields, "shall be
as if to disturb and break up the meet- punished with death and confiscation of
ing, they were met by men of determined their goods;" and a reward is offei-d to
courage, armed for self-defence, and con- any person who should seize and secure
pelled either to remain and listen quiet- the persons of those who preached at
ly, or to promise to depart peaceably, these field-meetings, with  an indemand leave the people to worship God be- nity for any slaughter that might be comneath the open canopy of heaven. There mitted in the seizure.  This most atrois related to have been a very remark- cious act was to endure for three years,
able manifestation of spiritual influence " unless his majesty should think fit that
in the sacred services df that day, great it continues longer."  Two other actssolemnity, and deep devotional feeling, one against persons procuring baptism
impressions which were never obliterated for their children from any other than:rom the hearts and minds of many of the ministers licensed by governmentthe worshippers.*                    the other against people separating themTwo other large meetings of the same selves from the congregations where these
kind were held the same year-one at government ministers preached-conthe Torwood, and another at Carnwath; pleted the persecuting enactments of this
but neither of them quite equalled that of parliament.
Beath-hill.  They were, however, suffi-  The object of the indulgence might
cient to alarm the prelatic party, and to have been now sufficiently apparent.
excite the bitter indignation of the coun- For these most iniquitous acts plainly
cil. When the parliament met in the proved, that mercy was not its intention,
end of July, they proceeded to pass the but merely such a division among the
most sanguinary enactments against con- Presbyterians as might draw off all the
venticles, with the manifest determination timid and wavering, and leave the more
of utterly suppressing them, though it determined to swift and utter destruction.
should be by the entire. exterminaton of There is a fearful meaning in the limitathe'persons by whom they were held. tion of the act at first to three years; as
On the 3d of August an act was passed if the persecutors contemplated the anni" anent deponing," or giving evidence hilation within that time, of the entire
on oath, against those who either held or body of Presbyterians in Scotland. But
frequented conventicles.  In this, "all when the malice of man wages war
and every subject, of what degree, sex, or against the cause of God, the result is not
quality soever," were commanded to doubtful.   The very means employed' depone upon oath " their knowledge with such relentless cruelty against the
of any person holding or frequenting Presbyterians were overruled to the inthese meetings, under the penalty of creasing of their numbers, their courage,
Blackadder's Memoirs, pp. 144.148.  and their progress in vital religio a.




A. D. 1670.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  239
These barbarous enactments, so far from  The latter part of this year was chiefly
putting an end to field-meetings, roused occupied by the discussions to which
the people to the determination to frequent Leighton's attempt at an accommodation
them  more than they had previously between the Prelatists and the Presbytedone, and to come in such numbers, and rians gave rise. When Alexander Burprepared with such defensive weapons, net was removed from the archbishopric
as might protect them against any sud- of Glasgow by the king's orders, Leighden assault of their persecuting enemies. ton, at that time bishop of Dumblane,
And the very danger which men had was appointed commendator or administhus to encounter in the worship of God, trator of the vacant archiepiscopal see.
had a powerful tendency to elevate their This eminent man had kept as much as
minds above that listlessness and torpidi- possible aloof from direct participation in
ty which too often prevail in congrega- the atrocities perpetrated by his brethren;
tions met in their usual place of worship, and when appointed to the more influenand as a matter of ordinary occurrence. tial position of Glasgow, he set himself
They must have loved the gospel, who to attempt some accommodation between
thus braved every peril that they might his party and that of the persecuted Preshear it freely and fully proclaimed by byterians. His first step was a very nemen whose very act of proclaiming it ex- cessary one. It was an inquiry into the
posed them to the loss of life; or they conduct of the prelatic clergy within his
whose native courage loved the wild thrill own diocese, with the view of correcting
of heart which rises at the encounter of the abuses that were prevalent among
danger, would soon love the gospel for them. From this attempt he was soon
the very danger's sake. And we may obliged to desist, in consequence of finddimly imagine, though we cannot fully ing it utterly impossible to correct abuses
realize,the intense earnestness with which so universal and so enormous; besides,
they would listen to the bold and fervent that his attempts to be impartial in his ineloquence of a minister who indeed quiries were greatly checked by a lay
preached as a dying man to dying men, committee which the council had ordered
not knowing but that his sermon might to assist, but which really impeded him.
be abruptly closed with his expiring He next attempted to try the force of argroans, and his blood and theirs be gument upon the nonconforming minismingled together on the trodden heath, ters and people, and selected six of the
before the day was done. Nor need we most learned and pious of the prelatic
doubt that all these strong emotions would clergy to travel over the western counties
be raised to the highest pitch of which and endeavour to proselytise the people.
they were capable, by the scarcely per- Gilbert Burnet, at that time professor of
ceived yet mighty influence of the scenery theology in Glasgow, was one of these
amidst which these field-meeting were six, and has- recorded their endeavours,
generally held,-that sensations and feel- and their unsuccessfulness, in his Hisings of the solemn, the sublime, and the tory of his Own Times. " We were inglorious, would be wrought into their deed amazed," says he, "to see a poor
minds from the grave austerity of vast up- commonalty so capable to argue upon
land moors, the stern majesty of frown- points of government, and on the bounds
ing crags and lofty mountains, and the to be set to the power of princes in matoverclouded or serene illimitable skies, ters of religion. Upon all these topics
from which the sun, like the broad eye they had texts at hand, and were ready
of heaven looked down upon their wor- with their answers to any thing that was
ship. To all these incalculably power- said to them. This measure of knowlful natural influences, the records of these edge was spread even among the meantimes give us good reason to add, what est of them, their cottagers and their
was infinitely more mighty than them  servants."* From this alone men might
all, the felt presence of the Spirit of God deduce one of the reasons why the Presaccompanying the administration of word byterian ought to be preferred to the Preand ordinance, and sealing divine truth latic form of church government by a
upon the souls of the quickened, melting, wise and patriotic legislature. By the
and adoring multitudes.                    Burnet'a Own Times, vol. i. p. 293.




240            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
Presbyterian Church the whole body of his public conduct as that of a persecutor
the people are educated and thought to although his gentle spirit shrunk from
think and reason; by the Episcopalian the contemplation of the bloody scenes
this never yet has taken place, nor even in which his unnatural connection with
been attempted, in its actings as a na- Scottish Prelacy involved him.
tional church.                          [1671.] No great events signalized the
In further prosecution of h's scheme year 1671. The indulged ministers, inof accommodation, Leighton procured a deed, experienced some of the tender
meeting of some of the most distinguished mercies of the council, by being confined
of the indulged ministers to be held in within their parishes, and threatened to
Edinburgh in August, and subsequently be deprived of their stipends, because
another at Paisley in December. Much they had not strictly obeyed all the direasoning passed between Leighton and rections contained in the indulgence.
them, on the point of the difference be- Several heavy fines were exacted, and
tween Prelacy and Presbytery, and the people imprisoned in irons, for frequentpossibility of some intermediate form, ing conventicles. Popery began to raise
partaking of some of the essential fea- its head openly in various parts of the
tures of both, by the adoption of which country, and experienced no such molesharmony might be restored. It was not tation as was directed unsparingly against
difficult to see that any real and perma- the Presbyterians. The island, or rather
nent accommodation was absolutely im- rock, of the Bass, was purchased by the
possible, unless the Presbyterian minis- crown, and converted into a state prison,
ters were prepared to abandon every es- of which Lauderdale was made captain,
sential point of their own form of church -the place, the purpose, the office, and
government and discipline, one by one, the man, all in dreadful harmony.
as the prelatic power chose to make its  [1672.]  The aspect of. affairs grows
insidious but irresistible advances. They darker as we enter upon the year 1672.
could not but know that Prelacy had Lauderdale was created a duke, as if to
been thrust upon the Church of Scotland testify the king's satisfaction with his
in King James's days, in a great meas- previous administration and to encourage
ure by the device of the constant moder- him to proceed in his atrocious career
ators; and Leighton's proposal not only His marriage to Lady Dysart, "a wo
retained these, but did not abolish the man," says Sir Walter Scott, "of connegative vote of the presiding prelate, so siderable talent, but of inordinate ambition,
that presbyteries and synods, so constitu- boundless expense, and the most unscruted would have been but a name. The pulous rapacity," had a very pernicious
attempted accommodation, was, therefore, effect in rendering him still more overfinally abandoned, greatly to the regret bearing and incapable than he had preof Leighton, who was, we are persuaded, viously been.  The fines, which had
sincerely desirous of peace, and pitied been hitherto sufficiently oppressive, were
the sufferings of his. oppressed country, increased and exacted with double rigour.
having on one occasion declared that he The acts against conventicles and fieldcould not approve of the severities em  preachings were enforced with immitigaployed against the nonconformists, even ble cruelty.  The ejected ministers were
for the purpose of planting Christianity hunted from place to place, as if they had
in a heathen land, much less for the been wolves, who were to be extermimere substitution of one form of church nated as a matter of public duty. An
government for another.* Yet he cannot act was passed against what parliament
be exonerated from the blame of having was pleased to term " unlawful ordinabeen accessory to these severities, through tions," by which was meant all except
his compliance with the scheme of over- prelatic ordination. The intention of this
throwing the Presbyterian Church, and act was manifestly to secure the final exestablishing Prelacy on its ruins. And tinction of the Presbyterian Church, by
however much we must deplore that such preventing the ordination to the ministry
a stain should rest on the memory of of young men who might supply the vasuch a man, historical truth condemns cancies caused by the death of the old.
Pearson's Life of Leighton, pp. 62, 63; Burnet.  It caused great hardship to the whole




A. D. 1672.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    241
Presbyterian community, and, could it the limits of the respective parishes to
have been fully enforced, must have which theywereappointel. Thisscheme,
proved fatal in the course of a single it appears, was founded upon a suggesgeneration. As it was, it rendered it ne- tion of Burnet's, supported by Leighton,
cessary for young men to be sent to Hol- who said that when burning coals were
land, where a presbytery was constituted scattered all over the house, in danger of
of banished Scottish ministers, by whom  setting it on fire, it might be prevented
these young men were ordained. It had by gathering them all into the hearth,
another effect, which, of course, the pre- where they might burn out in safety?*
lates did not contemplate.  The Scottish It had for its object, undoubtedly, the co!ministers in Holland were some of the lecting together into the narrowest possimost eminent men, in learning and abil- ble bounds, the nonconforming Presbyities, of their age. Not only had they terian ministers; and as its concluding
studied the subjects deeply for the main- clause strictly prohibited these ministers
tenance of which they had been banished, from preaching in any other churches
before they suffered that punishment, but than those of the parishes in which they
their exile furnished them with leisure to were confined, or out of doors even in
prosecute these studies, with the advan- the churchyards, and all others from
tage of being aloof from the scene of con- preaching at all, it seemed calculated to
flict, their personal interests not involved suppress field-preaching, and prevent the
in it, and themselves thereby enabled to diffusion  of Presbyterian  sentiments
take calmly both more comprehensive throughthe country. It had also another
and profounder views of the whole mat- effect. Like the first indulgence, it diters in dispute, than would have been pos- vided the sentiments of the ministers
sible had they been in Scotland. These whether it ought to be complied with or
views they communicated to the men who rejected; and, unable to come to any
came for ordination, and who returned to unanimity of opinion, some accepted,
Scotland thoroughly imbued with the others rejected, great divisions were
knowledge, and confirmed in the love, caused, and corresponding weakness enof the great and essential doctrine of the sued.
Presbyterian Church. In this manner    When recording events which take
the vital principles of Presbytery were their aspect from mental, moral, and, renot only kept alive; they were strength- ligious opinions, we are often struck with
ened into more intense activity and un- the strange contrast presented between
compromising endurance.              men's principles and their course of conSeveral other oppressive enactments duct. Had the Presbyterian ministers
were passed by this parliament, respect- looked only to the inevitable conclusion
ing baptism, the keeping of the 29th of to which their principles must lead, they
May, anda prolongation of the act against would not have hesitated one moment
conventicles. But as these differed from  about rejecting the indulgence.  The
the acts already specified only in their true nature of the question was brought
increased severity, it is not necessary to into more distinct developement by the
state their provisions.              second indulgence than it had been by
But the most important matter of this the  first.  It was  manifestly this,
year was the second indulgence, which "Whether the civil magistrate may of
was promulgated by the council on the himself, and immediately, without the
3d of September. The main peculiarity voice of the church and the previous elecof this indulgence consisted in its sending tion of the people, assign and send minisa number of the previously non-indulged ters to particular congregations, to take
ministers either to the parishes of those the fixed and pastoral oversight of them,
who had accepted the first indulgence, prescribe rules and directions to them for
where they were to reside and perform, the exercise of the ministry,, and confine
along with them, the functions of the them rigidly to those special, congregaministry, or to other parishes not pre- tions."  When the question is thus stated
viously indulged; but in either case the in its simple and essetial form, no true
arrangement coupled them together two Presbyterian can hesitate to say that it
by two, and confined each couple within     Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 341.
31




242             HIST'ORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. V1.
must at once Le met by a prompt and de- were Robert Gillespie and Alexander
cided negative. It was indeed so met by Peden, and positive orders were issued
some; for when the indulgence with its for the apprehension of others, who were
directions were offered to Mr. Blair, specifically mentioned by name, particuminister of Galston, he took the paper larly Gabriel Semple and John Welsh.
into his hand, saying, " My Lord Chan- It may give some idea of the ruinous
cellor, I cannot be so uncivil as to refuse amount of the fines levied upon the gena paper offered to me by your lordship:" tiemen who countenanced the field-meetthen letting it fall to the ground, he ad- ings, to state, that in the small county of
ded, "but I can receive no instructions Renfew upwards of ~30,000 sterling was
from you for regulating the exercise of exacted from eleven gentlemen, not of tht
my ministry; for if I should receive in- greatest wealth.*
structions from you, I should be your am-  A considerable number of the nobility
bassador, not Christ's."* For this he was began to complain of the intolerable seimmediately committed to prison; and verity of Lauderdale's administration, the
the dissensions among the ministers in- chief of whom was the Duke of Hamilcreased, some approving the decided con- ton; but Lauderdale's proceedings were
duct of Mr. Blair, others condemning his too much in accordance with the inclinawant of prudence, as they were pleased tions of the king himself for his power to
to term his bold and candid statement of be easily shaken. Yet the opposition in
his principles. Death, in the course of a the council caused a little relaxation of
few months, relieved Mr. Blair from his the severities enforced against the Presbyimprisonment, but did not diminish the terians.
indignation and alarm which his seizure  [1674.] The struggle in the council
had excited.                          against Lauderdale was terminated early
[1673.] The only peculiarities in the in the year 1674, by its dissolution, and
course of the year 1673, of sufficient im- the appointment of a new one, in which
portance to be mentioned, were the pro- the supporters of that ruthless tyrant
ceedings which arose out of the indul- formed a decided majority. This victory
gence, and the rise and growth of an op- was signalized, as was to be expected, by
position to Lauderdale's administration. the immediate resumption of the persecutThe number of ministers directly opposed ing career of the prelatic party. A comto prelatic tyranny having been consider- mittee of council was appointed, including
ably reduced by the second indulgence, Sharp, with full council-powers to meet
the council went forward with less hesi- when and where they pleased, and to
tation in the persecution of those who take what steps they might think necesstill refused; and thus the indulgence ac- sary for the complete suppression of fieldtually proved the means of increasing the conventicles. Orders were issued to apsufferings of the true Presbyterians.  In prehend twenty ministers, mentioned by
a new act against conventicles, the coun- name; and a reward of ~400 sterling of
cil had the confidence to assert, that the fered for the seizure of Welsh or Semple,
suppression of these meetings was " of and about ~55 for each of the others, a
great concernment to religion;" so that, full indemnity being at the same time seunder the hypocritical guise of a regard cured for any slaughter committed in their
for the interests of religion, they perse- apprehension.  Yet, notwithstanding
cuted the faithful followers of the Lord those sanguinary measures, field-preachJesus. And in order that information ings increased greatly, both in the fremight be readily given against the field- quency with which they were held, and
meetings, a third part of the fines ap- in the numbers by whom they were atpointed to be levied was now to be given tended. The very atrocity of the acts of
to the informer, a third part to the exac- council roused the minds of both ministors of the fines, and the remaining third ters and people; and they seemed now
to his majesty.  Several of the ejected more resolved than ever to brave every
and non-indulged ministers were seized danger, not counting their lives dear to
and committed to the Bass, among whom  them in defence of the liberty of the gospel, and fully determined that, come what' Wodrow, vol. ii. 216; Brown's History of the In pel and fully determined  at, come what
dulgence.                                     Wodrow, vol. ii. pp.'22 227.




A. D. 1674.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      243
might, they would obey God rather than the greatest amount of piety, morality, unman.                                   bending integrity, and manly indepenEarly in this year James Mitchell, who deuce of character; and nearly the enmade the attempt upon the life of Sharp, tire middle classes were true Presbynarrated above, was apprehended; and, terians.  Learning forms but a very unupon being assured that his life would be safe criterion; for there are too many
spared, made a confession of his crime. proofs that a man may be very learned,
Finding, however, that proceedings were and yet be irreligious, and immoral, and
about to be instituted against him, he re- profane. Nevertheless, we should be dotracted his confession; and there being ing great injustice to the persecuted minno other evidence, he was re-committed isters were we to compare them for a
to prison,                             moment to the prelatic clergy of that
A. paper of " grievances" was laid be- period in any possible respect.  Of the
fore the council by the prelatic clergy of truth of this there needs no more than the
the diocese of Glasgow, filled with the testimony of Bishop Burnet, though much
most bitter calumnies against the Presby- more might very easily be given.  The
terians, and urging the adoption of more real truth of the matter, however, much as
effectual measures for the suppression of it has been generally misrepresented by
field-preachings.  Having mentioned the prejudiced and party writers, is, that the
calumnies of the prelatic clergy, it may prelatic party in Scotland consisted chiefbe expedient to explain briefly a subject ly, nay, almost exclusively, of men of
on which so many erroneous statements neither religion nor morality,-of ambihave so long prevailed.  It seems to be tious and dissipated courtiers, military adtaken for granted, that the Covenanters venturers, a few perjured and apostate
of this persecuting time were the mere ministers, eager for the wealth and
dregs of society in Scotland, and that all honours of the prelacy, a swarm  of unthe noble, the gentle, the learned, and the educated, irreligious, and immoral men,
respectable belonged to the other side. thrust hastily into the ministry to fill the
The reverse would be much nearer the room of the ejected ministers, and the
truth.  A very considerable portion of very lowest dregs of society.   When,
the nobility were much more Presbyterian therefore, men write about the prevalence
than Prelatic in their feelings, though of ignorance and crime at that period,
they thought it expedient to temporize, their statements, so far as they are true,
through dread of the persecution to which are applicable almost exclusively to the
their prominent position in society would prelatic nobles, the prelates themselves,
expose them.  And, in many instances, their curates, and the very lowest grade
while the noblemen attended the privy of the common people, who formed at
council and the parliament, without tak- once the bulk of the prelatic congregaing a very active part in the persecuting tions, where any existed, and the ready
enactments there passed, their ladies gave and brutal instruments of prelatic persedirect countenance and encouragement to cution, along with the rude and licenthe Presbyterian Church.  The greater tious soldiery, whose bloody steps they
proportion of the landed proprietors in traced as regularly as did the wild dog
Fifeshire, the western counties, Dumfries- and the carrion crow, and for the same
shire, and Galloway, were staunch Pres- hideous purposes.* It must be added, that
byterians, as the very lists of persons wherever the field preachings prevailed,
fined for giving countenance to conventi- there immediately followed a very percles, and refuge to the ejected ministers, ceptible diminution of crime of every
incontestibly prove.   Nearly all the kind, even in those districts which had
tenantry throughout the counties where previously been notorious for irreligion
the persecution raged were covenanted and vice.   Of this some very remarkable
Presbyterians; and it is well known that proofs might be cited, as, for instance, the
in every civilized country, and especially great change which took place in some
in Scotland, that class of people forms the of the border counties, whose pillaging
very heart and soul of the nation. Every  - Should this view be disputed, it shall be proved;
intelligent observer will at once admit but we are not disposed to dwell on such subjects,
that in the middle Classes O y       unless compelled for the sake of truth, and for the vine
that in the middle classes of society exists dication of our maligned and martyred ancestors.




244             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. v1.
moss-troopers speedily became peaceful placed in the residence of a friend to the
and honest.*                         suffering Presbyterians, that he might be
When the council met in Edinburgh, oppressed and reduced to poverty by the
a petition was presented to them by a free quarters of the soldiery, while they
considerable number of females, some of were watching their opportunity to seize
them  ladies of rank, others minister's upon the ministers by whom these forbidwidows, imploring the council to mitigate den meetings were held.
their severe proceedings against the faith-  The issuing of "letters of intercomful ministers, and to grant them permis- muning," as they were called, was one
sion to exercise their sacred functions. of the most oppressive and inhuman
For this "unwarrantable crime," as it deeds ever perpetrated by despotism.  Afwas termed, several of these ladies were ter mentioning by name above an hunimprisoned, and three of them banished dred persons, of whom sixteen or eighfrom the town of Edinburgh! so deter- teen were ministers, and who were all
mined were the oppressors to prosecute declared to be in a state of rebellion on
their tyranny to the utmost, that they account of their holding and frequenting
punished as crimes even the respectful conventicles, this document proceeds in
petitions and complaints of widowed wo- the following terms:-" We charge and
men.                                  command all and sundry our lieges and
In the meantime the indulged Presby- subjects, that they, nor none of them, preterian ministers felt grievously the bond- sume, nor take upon hand, to reset, supage under which they had brought them- ply, or intercommune with any of the
selves, by their sinful compliance with an foresaid persons, our rebels, nor furnish
arrangement which their own conscience them with meat, drink, house, harbour,
could not approve. They saw, besides, victual, nor no other thing useful or comthat the entire extinction of Presbytery fortable to them, nor have intelligence
was the object of their tyrannical antag- with them by word, writ, or message, or
onists; and they attempted to maintain any other manner of way, under the
some shadow   of Presbyterian church pain to be reputed and esteemed art and
government, by the formation of meetings part with them in the crimes foresaid, and
resembling presbyteries and synods, to pursued therefor with all rigour, to the
which delegates were sent, and where terror of others."  By this fiend-like
they deliberated respecting their common measure the nearest relatives were produties, mourned over their common suf- hibited from  assisting each other; the
ferings, and adopted measures for the wife might not assist the husband, nor the
training of young men for the ministry, husband the wife; the brother might
when their own cloudy and troubled day not comfort the brother, nor the parent
should have set in the darkness of the give food and shelter to the son, if the
tomb.                                 sufferers  had  been  intercommuned.
[1675.] The chief topics of the year Every feeling of humanity,-every tie of
1675, so far as it is distinguished fr;m  nature,-every bond of affection, was
preceding years, were the establishing of outraged; and for what?  That Prelacy
garrisons in several parts of the country, might be established in Scotland? Yes,
the act of intercommuning, and the dis- for that, and something more; that the
sensions among the prelates. The first supremacy of the king equally in spiritual
of these measures arose from the rapid as in civil matters might be confirmed, a
progress of field-preachings, which it was pure despotism erected, religion trampled
found  impossible to suppress by the under foot, the sovereignty of the Lord
means hitherto employed. For this rea- Jesus Christ over his Church abolished,
son an act of council was passed, appoint- and Christianity reduced to a political ening garrisons to be placed in the houses gine for swaying the community. And
of two noblemen and ten gentlemen, in Scottish Prelacy assisted willingly in the
those parts of the country where conven- prosecution of this truly diabolical scheme,
tides and field-preachings, were most pre- by measures such as, Sir Walter Scott
valent. In each instance the garrison was says, might have been suggested by Sa
tan.*
Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 451; Kirkton, p. 392.  1 Wod-a
row, vol. ii. pp. 268, 269' Tales of a Grandfather, vol. ii. p. 22.




A. D. 1678.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    245
It is not necessary to relate the contests stored to Glasgow when Leighton relinwhich arose among the prelates, in con- quished the hopeless task of mitigating
sequence of the overbearing conduct of Prelacy and deceiving Presbyterian minSharp. They issued in the king's em- isters, and, shocked with the bloody barploying his ecclesiastical supremacy for barities which he could not prevent, withthe deposition of one bishop and four of drew to England, after expressing his
the ordinary clergy, without the inter- wish that he and the other prelates had
vention of any church court.t   This been cast into the Forth with millstones
might have somewhat stunned the pre- fastened to their necks.
latists, when they were made to feel their  One of the persecuting incidents of this
own tyrannical devices turned against year merits attention, on account of the
themselves. But they had still the com- light which it casts on the spirit and temfort of knowing that their own pliant per of the persecuting party. An attempt
consciences would not urge them into any was made by one Captain Carstairs to
protracted opposition to the king; and seize the Rev. James Kirkton, one of the
that his majesty, having found them such ejected ministers, for which Carstairs had
serviceable instruments in his attempts no warrant. Kirkton was rescued by
against the liberties of the nation, would Baillie of Jerviswood.  For this Baillie
not visit them with any chastisement more was called before the council, and having
severe than was necessary for reducing related the matter, would have been set at
them to their former state of ready sub- liberty, had not Sharp insisted that Carserviency.                           stairs must be supported, "otherwise it
[1676.] The appointment of garrisons could not be expected that any one would
caused the year 1776 to be one of the prosecute the fanatics."  But it was diffi
most oppressive which Scotland had yet cult to find a reasonable pretext for punundergone. Each of these became a den ishing Baillie for rescuing a friend when
of robbers, out of which issued at plea- illegally seized. To obviate this difficulsure an armed band, wasting the country, ty, Sharp procured a warrant for the appillaging from every quarter round them, prehension of Kirkton, and antedated it,
and inflicting every kind of personal out- so that it might give the appearance of
rage upon men, women, and children, legality to the attempt of Carstairs; and
under the pretence of suppressing con- on the strength of this fabricated docuventicles. A new proclamation was is- ment Baillie was imprisoned four mont}b,
sued against these meetings, pressing the and compelled to pay a heavy fine, nvnlch
full execution of all the former persecut- was given to Carstairs to encourage him
ing decrees, and laying additional restric- in the seizure of fanatics.*  Some of the
tions upon the indulged ministers; and council could not consent to this base
inflicting fines on the proprietors of those deed, and on that account the Duke of
lands where conventicles were held, al- Hamilton and the Earl of Kinkardine
though they neither knew of them, nor were removed, to make way for less scruwere able to prevent them. Yet these pulous supporters of Prelacy, who would
meetings increased, both in frequency of readily second the perfidy of Sharp.
being held, and in the numbers by whom  [1677.] The year 1677 is chiefly rethey were attended.   Frequently the markable for the passing of those acts of
most remote, lonely, and inaccessible pla- council, and application to his majesty
ces were chosen, on the brink of some vast founded on them, which led to raising an
morass, or in the heart of some deep-cleft armed force among the Highlands, and
ravine, and men were stationed on com- bringing it, like an invading army, upon
manding positions within sight, to give the western counties. The assaults upon
warning of the enemy's approach; and the large field meetings had been so frein such circumstances the persecuted wan- quent, that it had become customary for
derers worshipped God, and partook of the persecuted Presbyterians to carry
the symbols of redemption. A commis- arms in self-defence; and on several ocsion of council was now appointed, con- casions they had overawed the soldiers,
taining the two archbishops, Sharp and and compelled them to consult their own
Burnet, the latter of whom had been reBurnet, the latter of whom had been re-  Wodrow, vol. ii. pp. 327, 328; Kirkton, pp. 367-372
Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 304,  Burnet, pp. 399, 400.




246             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            CHAP. V1L,
safety by a prudent and peaceful retreat. to go to court, and by a fair and true
In Fife, Captain Carstairs had attacked a statement of Scottish affairs, endeavor to
few resolute men who were met together obtain from the king himself orders to
in a dwelling-house, and had been beaten countermand this invasion; but the privy
off, one of the soldiers being wounded in council immediately issued a proclamathe encounter. Availing themselves of tion," prohibiting noblemen and others
the.se events, the prelatic party represent- to go out of the kingdom without license."
ed.he whole south of Scotland as in a Thus prevented from access to the king,
state of incipient insurrection, requiring a the western gentlemen applied to the
force for its suppression beyond what the council, where they were met by the fusmall body of regular troops, together rious tyranny of Lauderdale, who, with
with the militia, could afford. A procla- frantic vehemence, making bare his arm
mation was issued about the same time, to the shoulder, as if about to plunge it
both calling on the gentlemen of the into blood, swore a dreadful oath, that he
western counties to put down all conventi- would compel them to take the bond."
cles, and to subscribe a bond, making  On the 25th of January the Highland
themselves answerable for the conduct of host and the militia marched from Stirling,
their wives, children, servants, tenantry, directing their course by Glasgow to the
and cottagers. The county gentlemen western counties.  They had with them
declined the bond, and answered, " that a small train of artillery, and pioneering
they found it not within the compass of implements, as if to assail fortified platheir power to suppress conventicles' at ces; and, in addition to their usual weathe same time recommending more tole- pons, they carried with them large quanrant measures. Upon this the council ap- titles of iron fetters, with which to ranaplied to the king for assistance by troops cle their captives, and thumb-screws and
from the north of England and from Ire- other instruments of torture.  At Glasland, and suggested the raising of the gow the bond against conventicles, fieldHighland clans for the same purpose. meetings, and intercommuned persons,
The king willingly acceded to their re- was repromulgated; and the savage horde
quest and suggestion; and on the 26th moved onward, disarming the people, deof December a commission was issued vastating the country, and perpetrating
for raising the Highlanders, and employ- every imaginable kind of outrage. In
ing them " against the places infested with vain did the people protest against being
rebellious practices;" empowering them  obliged to subscribe a bond which was in
to take free quarters; and " indemnifying its own nature illegal, inhuman, and imthem against all pursuits, civil and crimi- possible: they must subscribe it, or be
nal, for killing, wounding, apprehending, ruined in their fortunes, and suffer every
or imprisoning, all such as should make kind of personal abuse short of death.
opposition."                         The wild host held on its course. No
[1678.] the year 1678 was ushered in army appeared to be fought, no tumultuaby the invasion, as it may be well termed, ry meetings to be dispersed, no resistance
of the Highland Host.   Orders were to be overborne. But there were towns
given to the Marquis of Athole, and the which could be sacked, houses which
Earls of Mar, Murray, Caithness, Perth. could be pillaged, property which could
Strathmore and Airly, to raise their men, be destroyed, and men and women who
and advance to Stirling. There they could be insulted and abused; and in the
were joined by the milita under the com- perpetration of all these barbarities the
mand of the Earl of Linlithgow, forming, ferocious invaders were not only permitwhen united, an army of about 10,000 ted but encouraged to revel unrestrained.
men, 8,000 of whom were Highlanders. Several aged men, and several women,
A committee of council was appointed to including two ladies of rank, died in conaccompany them, and give encourage- sequence of the abuse inflicted on them
ment and sanction to their proceedings. by these northern barbarians. A more
Alarmed by these formidable prepara- minute specification of the enormities
tions, several of the noblemen and gen- committed by the Highland host may not
tlemen of the western counties resolved be given, as too hideously revolting to
Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 370.         Burnet's Own Times. vol. i. p. 418.




A. D. 1678.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    247
human natureto be expressed in language,  Lauderdale appears, however, to have
or more than dimly suggested to the shud- been somewhat alarmed at so strong
dering heart and recoiling mind. Even a manifestation of hostility to his meathe face of the country bore witness to sures; and accordingly an act of council
their ravages, which far surpassed those was passed about the end of February,
generally committed by an invading ar- ordering the Highland host to return to
my in a hostile territory.  Descending their own homes.  They retired laden
upon the fairest and most fertile scenes of with booty of every description, from the
Scotland, like a swarm of locusts in the plate and jewels taken from people of
regions of the east, they spread terror and rank and wealth, to the most common
ruin around them, leaving the country furniture, household implements, and
where they had appeared a waste and clothing of the cottager, and even to weardesolate wilderness.                  ing apparel torn from the persons of all,
Another device was employed by the both men and women, on whom they
council for the purpose of giving fuller could lay their hands. No exact account
scope to their persecuting zeal. On the can be given of the loss sustained by the
14th of February an act was passed " for western counties from  this devastating
securing the public peace,"* in which inroad of the Highlanders; but, at a
they contrived to include what is termed moderate computation, the county of Ayr
in Scottish law, a writ of lawburrows, alone is said to have suffered, from fines
by which a man who is afraid of violence and plunder, to the value of about ~137,
from his neighbour, upon making oath to 499.* This is a very limited estimate of
the circumstances affording ground for the direct loss of property sustained in
such apprehension, may have the party that one county: the extent of personal
bound over to keep the peace, under injury inflicted can neither be estimated
security. By this act the king was made nor expressed.
to apply for a writ of lawburrows against  Burnet suggests another reason for the
all in the western countries who had recall of the Highland host. The intenrefused to sign the bond, on the pretence tion of Lauderdale in bringing them
that his majesty had just grounds of ap- down upon the western counties, he
prehending injury from   them.  This says, was to provoke the people into
seemed an attempt to involve the loyal actual rebellion, partly to give some apPresbyterians in a personal quarrel with pearance of reason for the maintenance
the king; and in the meantime it fur- of a standing army, and partly that he
nished a pretext for maintaining a stand- and his adherents might divide among
ing army. When the western gentlemen them the confiscated estates of such noblecom-lained that the whole district would men and gentlemen as they might sucbe laid utterly waste by the interruption ceed in driving to the desperate necessity
of all agricultural labour in consequence of arming in self-defence. But the perof these most oppressive proceedings, secuted Presbyterians were aware of this
Lauderdale answered, that " it were bet- malignant scheme, and therefore deterter that the west bore nothing but windle- mined to suffer unresistingly, rather than
straws and sandy laverocks, than that it fall into the snare laid for them by their
should bear rebels to the king."i  Being cunning and relentless foe.t  Foiled by
thus driven to despair, they determined to their wonderful endurance, and perceivbrave the terrors of the proclamation ing that some even of his own party were
which prohibited them from leaving the recoiling with horror from the atrocities
kingdom, and fourteen peers and fifteen of his unparalled despotism, Lauderdale
gentlemen, headed by the Duke of Ham- so far gave way as to recall the Highilton, went to London to lay their cor- landers, and to withdraw the bond and
plaint before the king himself.  But the the writ oflawburrows. But at the samo
interest of Lauderdale prevailed so far, time he contrived to procure from his
that the supplicants received no favour majesty a letter to the council expressing
from his majesty, nor any promise of re- approbation of all their recent proceedings.
dress.
* Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 426.' Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 400.  t Tales of a Granl-  * Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. pp. 418, 419; Kirkton,
father, vol. ii. p. 30.               p. 390.




248             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VIL,
When the Highland host withdrew, spoliation of their entire property, by
the king's guards and the militia were which their enemies would obtain much
again placed in garrison in different parts more than the specified amount; and the
of the country, to suppress the field- more resolute maintained that it was sinpreachings to the utmost of their power. ful to pay it, knowing precisely for what
But what ten thousand had not been able purpose it was levied, and how it was to
fully to accomplish, two thousand could be expended. It seems clear that the latnot effect; and field-preachings were ter opinion was the correct one. For the
again held in several parts of the coun- fact, that this cess was imposed avowedly
try, and attended by great numbers. At for the purpose of supporting an army to
one, in particular, held at Whitekirk, suppress the public preaching of the gosnearly opposite the Bass, the soldiers pel in what were termed field-convenwere beaten off by the country people, tides, deprived it of the character of comand compelled to retire, one man being mon taxation, by which a general fund is
wounded in the brief conflict. For this, raised to defray all the expenditure of the
one man, James Learmont, was executed, government, and where it is impossible to
chiefly in consequence of the relentless specify the particular use of any portion
fury of Sharp. At another field-meeting of the public money so raised.  Yet the
the soldiery were more successful, dis- conduct of the Covenanters in declining
persing the meeting, and seizing upon a to pay this cess has been appealed to in
number of the people, who, after suffering modern times, as a justification of the conimprisonment, were-sentenced to be ban- duct of men who refused to pay an anished to the plantations.            cient and legal tax, levied for the purpose
These numerous -field-meetings roused of supporting the preaching of the gospel,
the fury of Lauderdale and the prelates, by men of whose doctrines they approved,
who procured from the king an order and whom they acknowledged to be faithcalling a convention of estates to meet ful and able servants of the Lord Jesus.
in July, to deliberate -in what manner'Phis unhappy disagreement between the
" field-conventicles, these rendezvouses of different parties of the Presbyterians
rebellion," as his majesty's letter was tended greatly to increase the divisions
pleased to term them, might be most among them, which had been already
effectually suppressed. On the 10th of caused by the indulgence and other simiJuly, the*convention passed an act impos- lar schemes of their crafty and merciless
ing a cess or assessment of eighteen hun- oppressors. On the strehngth of this assessdred thousand pounds Scots, or about ment, it was resolved to raise and main~*150,000 sterling, to be raised in five tain a standing army of five thousand foot
years by yearlyipayments of about ~30, and five hundred cavalry, in addition
000 sterling,'for the maintenance of an to the life-guards, which had been continarmy sufficiently strong to suppress those ued in force after the previous disbanding
dreaded and detested field-meetings.* Not of the army.  It may be mentioned, that
only was this measure in itself oppres- about this time James Graham of Claversive, but it also proved.a new cause of house began to distinguish himself by his
contention among the Presbyterians.  It fierce and cruel treatment of the Coveimmediately became a question among nanters, earning for himself that name of
them whether lthey could in conscience infamy and terror by which he will be
pay an assessment which was imposed known and held in detestation, notwithfor the avowed purpose of maintaining an standing the laudations of writers of roarmy to prevent the public preaching of mance, till the moors and mountains
the gospel. Some argued that it was of which witnessed his bloody deeds shall
the nature of general taxation, which, as have perished amid the ruins of dissolvsubjects, they were bound to pay, what- ing nature.
ever use might ibe made of the money by  One event occurred in the begifining
the ruling powers iof the State; others of this year, which demands notice, but
reasoned;from the necessity of the case, which was omitted in order to avoid insince'their refusal would only expose terrupting the narrative respecting the
them to greater suffering, and to the utter Highland host and other public transac*".Wodrow, vol. ii. p. 490.  tions.  This was the trial and execution




A. D. 1679.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    249
of James Mitchell, who, in the year Sharp strenuously insisted upon his death,
1668, attempted to assassinate Archbishop as the only way of securing his own perSharp. He had been apprehended, as son against similar attempts.   Lauderabove related, in the year 1674, and had dale yielded, with a profane jest; and
confessed his guilt, on the promise of Sharp's cowardly and revengeful heart
safety to his life; but was imprisoned for was gratified by this act of judicial murtwo years, first in Edinburgh, and after- der. Such was the conduct of Archwards in the Bass. In 1676 he was bishop Sharp, the great apostle of Scotagain brought to trial; when, finding tish Prelacy,-conduct which even Burthat the promise of life was about to be net says " was probably that which, in the
broken, he refused to acknowledge his just judgment of God, and the inflamed
confession, and there being no other evi- fury of wicked men, brought him afterdence against him, he was put to the tor- wards to such a dismal end."*  " Doubtture of the boot. He behaved with great less," says Laing, "the fanaticism  of
courage and firmness under this inhuman Mitchell was of the most daring and
treatment, refusing to gratify the malice atrocious nature; but his guilt is lost in
of his tormentors by uttering one word the complicated perfidy, cruelty, perjury,
tending to criminate himself or others, and revenge, which accomplished his
till, after nine successive blows had death.t"
crushed his leg almost to a jelly, he   [1679.] The year 1679 is one, the
fainted under the excessive agony, and records of which would be most approwas again cast into prison.  It was pro- priately written in blood.  Lauderdale
posed to crush the other leg in the same had succeeded in repelling the accusations
manner; butthis was prevented in conse- brought against him by the best of the
quence of a letter received by Sharp inti- Scottish nobility; and he had now an
mating that, if he persisted in his cruel army at his command sufficiently strong,
intention, he should have a shot from  as he thought, to suppress the Presbytea steadier hand.*  After languishing two rians entirely.  But it was necessary for
additional years in prison, he was again that purpose to adopt measures more sumbrought from the Bass to Edinburgh in mary and destructive than had yet been
the beginning of January 1678.  The attempted. Early in the month of Januaccusation was conducted by the Lord ary the council transmitted to his maAdvocate, well known as "the bloody jesty, for his approbation, a series of overMackenzie," and the defence by Sir tures, or propositions, "for the suppression
George Lockhart. As there was still no of the present schisms and disorders of the
evidence except the prisoner's confession Church;" to which the king returned an
upon the promise that his life should be early answer, expressing himself well
spared, the only way in which they could pleased with them, and empowering the
reach his life was by denying that any council to put them into effectual execusuch promise had been given.    Four tion. Some of these propositions were
members of the privy council-the Duke peculiarly atrocious; such as,-authorisof Lauderdale, the Earl of Rothes, Lord ing the soldiers to disperse all conventiHatton, brother of Lauderdale, and Arch- cles by force of arms, with an indemnity
bishop Sharp-positively swore that no for whatever slaughter they might comassurance of life had been given to Mit- mit;-enjoining them  to seize on the
chell to induce him to confess. Mitchell preachers and as many of the hearers as
produced a copy of the act of council in possible,-to strip those whom they could
which that assurance had been given, and not take with them of their upper garcraved that the register itself might be ments, as a means of future apprehension
examined. This was refused, and sen- and conviction;-and offering rewards of
tence passed, condemning him to death. ~500 sterling for the apprehension of Mr.
When the trial was over, the lords exam- John Welsh, 3000 merks for any inter
ined the register of the council, and found communed minister, and 900 merks for
the act containing the assurance of life on any other preacher.  Detachments of the
which Mitchell had founded his defence. newly levied army were stationed in difLauderdale would have spared him~ but
Lauderdale would have spared him, but * Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 416.  t Laing's
* Law's Memorial's, p. 85.  History, vol. ii. p. 80.
32




250             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VII
ferent parts of the country, encouraged to civilly or criminally." T'his was equivatheir bloody work by the commands lent to a proclamation of war against
of the council, and assisted by the prelates these ministers and every person who
and their underlings the curates. One should endeavour to protect their lives;
effect of these oppressive measures was and it appears to have been so regarded
very soon apparent. It became certain by the more rash and daring of the perdeath for the Presbyterians to meet for the secuted Presbyterians. It was unquesworship of God, except in such large tionably the direct cause of the insurrecnumbers as might enable them to defend tion which soon afterwards took place.
themselves against their assailants. The  In the meantime another event occured
field-meetings became therefore more rare which had no little influence in precipitain their occurrence, but correspondingly ting the conflict. Archbishop Sharp had
more formidable, both in the numbers been in Edinburgh attending the meeting
who attended, and the army-like aspect of privy council which issued the precedwhich they began to wear. The preach- ing order. Other measures were proposers were generally accompanied by a ed, which would require the direct sancband of armed men, who were resolved tion of his majesty; and Sharp resolved
to protect their ministers at the hazard of to go to London himself, to aid in the artheir lives; and when they met for public rangement of one great, and what he
worship, they chose strong positions, and hoped might prove a conclusive, effort
posted armed sentinels all around them, for the utter destruction of the Presbyteto watch the movements of the enemy, and rian Church of Scotland.  The shire of
to warn their friends for a timely flight Fife he regarded as under his peculiar
or a resolute resistance. At one of these care; and being much provoked that conmeetings in the parish of Lesmahago, venticles were frequently held in his donear Lanark, on the 30th of March, the main, he had resolved to suppress them
soldiers, not daring to attack the main with the utmost rigour, and for that purbody, attempted to gratify their malice by pose had appointed a person named Carplundering some women on the outskirts michael, to employ all the methods comof the meeting. Upon this a party of men manded by the council without mercy or
left the meeting, and compelled the plun- mitigation. Carmichael was an instruderers to give back their pillage, and ment suitable for such a purpose. His
retire. About the same time two soldiers barbarities drove the people to despair,
were murdered at Loudon Hill, not by and in their misery they determined either
the Presbyterians, but, as Wodrow has to put him to death, or to terrify him so
proved, by some of the mean villains em- far as to compel him to leave that part of
ployed as Government spies.*         the country. For this purpose nine perThese' occurrences, as might be ex- sons, some of them gentlemen of considpected, roused the wrath of the persecu- erable property and rank, met on the
tors to tenfold fury, and more violent and morning of the 3d of May, prepared to
oppressive orders were immediately issued carry their intention in effect.  Carmiby the council; and a committee was ap- chael, however, had received information
pointed to be ready to act at all times and that some gentlemen had been inquiring
to issue such orders as circumstances for him, and kept himself concealed. Bemight seem to require, the twoarchbishops ing thus disappointed, they were on the
being members of committee.  On the 1st point of separating, when they were inof May a new order of council was issued, formed that Sharp  was approaching.
commanding the Earl of Linlithgow to Startled and excited by this unexpected
send a strong military force against the intelligence at such a moment, one of
Rev. Messrs. Welsh, Cameron, Kid, and them exclaimed, "Our arch-enemy is deDouglas, and the party which accom- livered into our hands;" and proposed
pained them, to seize them wherever they that they should put him to death. Hackmight be found, " and, in case of resist- ston of Rathillet opposed his design, but
ance, to pursue them to the death, declar- could not prevail upon his companions to
ing that the said officers and soldiers abandon it; and though he would take
shall not be called in question therefor, no part in the matter, he consented to reWodrow, vol. iii. pp. 37, 38.  main with them.




A. D. 1679.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  251
The party then rode forward to Magus the ground; but when they were about
Moor, about three miles from St. Andrews, to depart, perceiving him still alive, they
where they descried the prelate's coach, returned and despatched him with their
and immediately galloped on to intercept swords. So perished that deeply guilty
him. Perceiving himself pursued, Sharp and most miserable man, whose life had
cried out to his coachman,' Drive, drive," been one tissue of unbounded perfidy and
in that extreme terror of his life which remorseless cruelty, having been the
his many cruelties to the Presbyterians cause to his suffering country of a greater
may well have suggested to his dark and amount of woe and ruin than ever was introubled mind.  At length one of the flicted on it by any other human being.
pursuers overtook the coach, dismounted Yet, though his death may be justly
the postilion, cut the traces, and put an viewed as an instance of the retributive
end to the unhappy prelate's flight, call- judgment of God, the deed of those by
ing out to him, "Judas, be taken!" When whom his blood was shed cannot be rethe whole party had come up, they corn- garded in any other light than as an act
manded Sharp to come out of the coach, of murder.  True, it was such a deed as
and prepare himself for death, judgment, Greece celebrated with loudest praises in
and eternity. The miserable man shrieked the case of Harmodius and Aristogeiton,
aloud for mercy, and clung to his daugh- and Rome extolled when done by Caster, who was with him in the carriage. sius and Brutus; but the weapons of a
Upon his refusing to come out, they fired Christian's warfare are not carnal, nor
into the carriage, but being unwilling to do the precepts of the gospel allow priinjure the person of the lady, their un- vate individuals to stain their hands in
steady aim did not take effect, and they blood, though for the purpose of avengagain commanded him to come forth, ing a public wrong, and rescuing their
otherwise they would drag him out. At suffering country from the criminal oplength he came out, repeating his vehe- pression inflicted by a lawless and cruel
ment cries for mercy, offering to save tyrant.  And therefore, though few will
their lives,-to give them  money,-to doubt that Sharp deserved to die, none
abandon his prelatic station,-if they will approve the conduct of those men,
would but spare his life. His cries for outraged grievously though they had
mercy were in vain.  They reminded been, who, in the exercise of what Bacon
him  of his apostasy,-of the eighteen terms " wild justice," took upon themyears of bloodshed of which he had been selves the office of his executioners.
the chief cause,-of his repeated acts of  When the intelligence of Sharp's death
perjury,-of his withholding the king's reached the council, they immediately
letter till nine sufferers, whom it would despatched information to the king, and
have saved, were put to a cruel and issued proclamations offering a large reignominious death; and having thus set ward for the seizure of the murderers.
his crimes in terrible array before his In this their efforts were ineffectual; for
face, they again exhorted him to pray to these men, after remaining together till
God for that mercy which he himself had night, separated, and betook themselves to
never shown to man. Still the wretched different parts of the country for better
man could raise no cry to heaven,-a cir- concealment.  Several of them joined
cumstance which appalled the assassins, their friends in the west, but carefully aband caused them to stand aghast at such stained from stating their participation in
a spectacle of utter despair. He availed the fatal deed-so well were they aware
himself so far of their half-recoiling hor- that the principles or impulses which
ror as to creep grovelling towards Hack- had excited them to the slaughter of the
ston, who remained on horseback a little arch-persecutor, were disavowed and conapart, imploring him to interpose and demned by almost the entire of the persesave his life; but Hackston answering, cuted Presbyterians.  Yet prelatic wri" I shall never lay a hand on you," turned ters have generally accused the whole
aside, and left him to his fearful fate.* body of entertaining similar opinions, and
They then fired upon him, and he fell to approving of the unhappy prelate's assassination; and the ensnaring question,
Burneows wn Time, vol.. 4 irkton 442;  Whether they approved of the killing
Burher's Own Timea, vol. i. p. 47.1.




252             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.           [CHAP. VII.
of the archbishop?" was frequently put drive them beyond what cooler reason in
by the soldiers to their prisoners, imme- happier times can sanction. Some of the
diate death being the frequent consequence more impetuous, especially among the
of an unsatisfactory answer. Many of laymen, began to enquire whether it was
those to whom this question was put not their duty to do something more than
would have readily interposed to save the stand on the defensive. They thought
life of the wretched victim, but would not the time was come when they were
express condemnation either of the deed called upon to make a bold and public
itself, or of those by whom it was cor- declaration of their sentiments, condemnmitted, not considering themselves en. ing the various steps by which the countiled to judge the motives of other men, try had been reduced to such a state of
or to determine respecting such matters.  misery, and censuring the conduct of
On the 13th day of May, a new pro- those who continued to give any colour
clamation was issued against conventi- to the proceedings of the persecutors by
cles, sufficiently expressive of the coun- subscribing their ensnaring bonds, or
cil's determination to wage henceforth a tamely submitting to their oppressive
war of extermination. After rehearsing tyranny. Sentiments of this kind were
the previous acts against appearing in strongly advocated by a gentleman named
arms, especially at field-meetings, those Robert Hamilton, son of Sir Thomas
" rendezvouses of rebellion," his majesty Hamilton of Preston, a man of personal
is made to express a degree of self-cen- piety, but of narrow and contracted views,
sure for his past clemency! and a deter- ill-directed zeal, and overbearing temper.
mination that his subjects should no long- His opinions were adopted by a considerer be led astray by such improper len- able number of the more youthful and arity! Authority is then given to judges dent of the people, and by Cameron,
and officers of the forces "to proceed Cargill, and Douglas, among the interagainst all such, who go with any arms communed ministers. It was at length
to these field-meetings, as traitors;" and, resolved to make a public declaration of
lest this should seem to express lenity to these sentiments; and accordingly, on the
those who went unarmed, the concluding 29th of May, Robert Hamilton, Douglas,
clause expressly involves them in the same and about eighty armed men went to
danger. The act of council on which this Rutherglen, extinguished the bonfires
proclamation was formed was the last act which had been kindled to celebrate the
to which Sharp set his persecuting hand, it Restoration, burned the persecuting acts
having been proposed by him, and passed of parliament and council, read their own
with some difficulty, on the 1st of May, declaration and testimony, and then peacebefore he left Edinburgh to meet his ably retired, leaving a copy of their
fate. From this circumstance this tyranni- declaration affixed to the market-cross.*
cal act was termed "the bishop's legacy."*  The Rutherglen declaration was magThe extreme of patient endurance was nified by the prelatic party into a daring
now almost overpast. The persecuted act of open rebellion; and on Saturday
Presbyterians saw no alternative between the 31st of May, Graham of Claverhouse
sinking into a state of absolute slavery set out from  Glasgow in quest of the
of both soul and body, and assuming party who had made this public manifesarms in defence of their liberties, civil tation. When he arrived at Hamilton,
and religious. They would not submit he surprised Mr. King, one of the interto the prelatic yoke,-they would listen communed ministers, and about fourteen
to the preaching of the pure gospel by unarmed countrymen. Learning that a
their own ministers; and when their own field-meeting was to be held next day
lives and those of their pastors were as- near Loudonhill, he determined to assail
sailed by the lawless soldiery, they con- and disperse it; and set out in the mornceived themselves entitled, by every law ing, taking with him his prisoners, bound
of God, nature, and reason, to defend together two by two. Before he came
themselves. To this extent who will say in sight of the Presbyterian party, they
they were wrong? But intolerable op- had received information of his approach,
pression began, after long endurance, to and had come to the determination to
Wodrow, vol. iii. 58-60.              Wodrow, vol. iii. p. 66




A. D. 1679.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND                    253
prevent the meeting from being dispersed, by considerable numbers, they resolved
by placing themselves in his line of to march on Glasgow, and dislodge the
march, a considerable space in advance army from that town. But before they
of their friends, intending also to rescue arrived, the troops under the command
the prisoners should they find it in their of Lord Ross and Claverhouse had prepower.   Mustering about forty horse, pared such means of defence as the counand one hundred and fifty foot, indiffer- trymen could not force; and, after susently armed, but full of courage, they taining a slight loss, they retired, and
took up their position at a place called encamped on Hamilton Moor, on the left
Drumclog, where they were somewhat bank of the Clyde.
protected by the swampy nature of the  Scarcely had the insurgents withdrawn,
ground, and by a broad ditch which ran when the royal troops also left Glasgow,
along their front.  Hamilton took the and retreated in hasty confusion towards
chief command, supported by Hackston Stirling to the main army. Proclamaof Rathillet, Balfour of Kinloch or Bur- tions and acts of council were issued, of
leigh, John Paton, William  Cleland, which it is difficult to say whether they
Henry Hall, and some others of less abound most in the language of terrified
note. When Claverhouse approached, exaggeration or ferocious cruelty. Conand marked the strength of their posi- siderable exertions were made to increase
tion, and the resolute front which they the army, and the Duke of Monmouth,
presented, he perceived that they were the king's illegitimate son, was sent down
not likely to be routed without a struggle, to take the chief command.
and therefore left a small party to guard  In the meantime, the army of the inthe prisoners, commanding them to be surgents had received a considerable acshot should he be defeated.*  Hamilton cession in point of numbers, but was
gave an order of a similar import that paralyzed by dissension and disagreeno prisoners should be taken. The bat- ment. As the insurrectection, like that
tle was begun by Claverhouse, who com- which terminated at Pentland, had arisen
manded his men to fire upon the Cove- out of an unforeseen event, there was no
nanters. They returned his fire with previous concert of opinions and plans
effect; and, after the interchange of for their guidance; and when numbers
several volleys, Balfour and Cleland began to flock to their army, it was conburst through their own line of defence, sidered necessary to frame and publish
rushed upon their assailants, and, after a a declaration, stating the causes of their
sharp conflict, put them to flight. Thirty rising in arms, and the ruling principles
or forty of the soldiers fell in the battle by which they were actuated. Hamilton
and the pursuit, and five were taken pri- and his party were for taking the Ruthersoners, one of whom was shot by Hamil- glen declaration as the basis of their
ton; the rest were saved by the interpo- new manifesto, and even purposed to
sition of the other officers.        emit a testimony against the indulgence
After this encounter, the victorious and the payment of the cess; but as
Presbyterians deliberated what course to many who had joined them had submitfollow,-whether to disperse, or to re- ted to both these measures, such persons
main together for their mutual protection. would not consent to a declaration by
The latter opinion was speedily adopted, which their own conduct'would be dias they were well aware that their baf- rectly condemned. These, on the other
fled and enraged enemies would exact a hand required that the manifesto should
cruel revenge the moment it was in their contain a declaration of their unshaken
power. They determined, therefore, to loyalty to the king, notwithstanding the
remain together in arms, both for their oppressive tyranny which had been pracown defence, and to see whether the tised in his name; while Hamilton and
country would rally round them in suffi- his friends would not consent to acknowcient strength to enable them to procure ledge the king and his government rerelief from the tyranny under which they garding his right to the crown, as forhad so long groaned. Next day they feited by his violation of the Covenant,
advanced to Hamilton, and, being joined which he had sworn, and by his longWilson's Relation, p. 7.  continued and severe despotism. Neither




254            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
party would submit to the other, and all be offered.  In one point of view it
their councils became scenes of tumult would seem that the opinions of Hamiland angry contention, discouraging the ton and the stricter party, were sounder
army, keeping back many who would and more consistent than those of their
have joined them, inducing others to opponents. The indulgence was unquesabandon a divided and falling cause, and tionably based upon the act of supremacy,
holding them spell-bound while their en- and, therefore, inconsistent with the fun
emies were preparing to crush them. damental principles of the Presbyterian
They seized on Glasgow, and advanced Church. But it was not so clear a mat
about a dozen miles towards Edinburgh, ter that a condemnation of it was imperthen hesitated, returned to their former atively required till an Assembly of the
position on Hamilton Moor, near Both- whole Church could be held, and the
well Bridge, and resumed their unhappy matter fairly and deliberately adjudged.
and most pernicious contests.  There The direct contest was with Prelacy and
were eighteen ministers in their army, the act of supremacy in matters ecclesinone of whom had taken the indulgence; astical; and could these have been reand only two, Cargill and Douglas, es- moved, the indulgence would have perpoused the opinions of Hamilton and his ished of itself. It was for those who
party. Not one of the sixteen approved had complied with it to confess and laof the indulgence, but they disapproved ment their own defection, publicly, if
of condemning it in their manifesto, as they thought proper; but it does not
certain to prevent a great number of true seem a matter of positive duty in the
Presbyterians from joining the common non-indulged to have issued a condemcause. For this they were sharply cen- nation of any thing more than the direct
sured by their opponents, and accused of causes of their wrongs and sufferings.
downrightErastianism, asmuchasifthey And especially, the significant suppreshad themselves taken the indulgence. sion of any recognition of the king's auYet how far they were from entertaining thority as the lawful sovereign of the
Erastian opinions roust be evident from  kingdom, indicated the existence of
the fact, that their leader was Mr. Welsh, views, the open promulgation of which
who had been intercommuned for field- would expose the Presbyterians to the acpreaching, and for whose seizure a re- cusation of rebellion, with more appearward of five hundred pounds sterling ance of justice than any thing which had
had been offered. That he could have yet taken place, and might be ruinous to
been tainted with Erastian  principles their prospects of success. Besides, it
may well be deemed incredible; but actually involved that very mingling of
while he was willing to peril his own life things civil and spiritual, which leads inin preaching the gospel to any who had a evitably to either Erastianism or Popery.
desire to hear it, he was reluctant to haz- It was true that Charles was a tyrant;
ard the success of the Presbyterian army and it may be the opinion of jurists, that
and cause, by publishing a declaration subjects are bound by no law, human or
which must alienate many, and which, divine, from rising up in vindication of
in his opinion, the circumstances and their civil liberties, and hurling a lawnecessities of the case did not require. less tyrant from his throne. But that is
Counter declarations were framed and not an argument which Christians and
proposed; ministers contended against Christian ministers, simply as such, can
ministers, and officers against officers; use. A Christian may be the loyal subthe body of the army caught the spirit ject of a heathen monarch; and, even
of contention, and they lay in their camp when persecuted, is not entitled, on that
tossing and confused till the army of account, to rebel and wage war against
their enemies was upon them.        his persecutor.  Yet, when Christian
It is scarcely within the province of subjects are exposed equally to the loss
a historian to attempt deciding a question of their civil and religious liberties, it is
of such a nature as that which divided not surprising that they should forget the
the Covenanters; yet, as it is so closely nice distinctions which are required to
connected with the principles of the guide them in determining what declaraChurch of Scotland, a few remarks may tions they should issue, and what mode




A. D. 1679.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                      255
of self-defence they should employ.  It for an hour by a body of the Presbyter
seems probable, also, that Hamilton and ans under the command of Hackston,
his party were led to adopt and hold and Ure of Shargarton. At length their
their opinions by misunderstanding the ammunition failed; and when they sent
conduct of the Covenanters of the prece- for a supply, they received orders to fall
ding generation, and especially with re- back upon the main army.    Nothing
gard to the Act of Classes, excluding could have been more insane than such
malignant and disaffected persons from  a command; but being now defenceless
places of trust, whose whole previous and unsupported, they were constrained
conduct proved that they would immedi- reluctantly to comply. Even then their
ately use their power for the overthrow  native courage signalized itself by one
of religious reformation.  And as this gallant deed. Looking'back, and seeing
could not possibly be held with regard to that a party of the royalists had already
those who had merely submitted to the followed them to the southern bank of
indulgence, the cases were not parallel, the river, they wheeled about, charged
and the rule of the one could not justly them  hand to hand, and driving them
apply to the other.  After all, however, headlong across the bridge, regained
this may be said in favour of the very possession of that important post.  Havstrictest of the Presbyterians, that the ing thus almost instinctively pointed out
principles which they held were the very the path which might have led to safety,
same which nine years afterwards per- if not to victory, they were again obliged
vaded the whole nation, drove the race to the inert mass, whom  neither danger
of Stuarts from the throne, and secured could excite nor courage rouse.  Slowly
the liberty of Britain, by what all men the enemy's forces crossed the steep and
with one consent rejoice to term the Glo- narrow bridge, while the western army
rious Revolution; and it would not be looked on in a state of helpless and uneasy for any man who defends the prin- moving stupor. One charge sufficed to
ciples which led to that great national de- cast the weltering mass into complete
liverance, to show  his consistency in confusion; and, bereft of even the courcondemning those of the persecuted Cov- age of despair, they fled, not in bands,
enanters.*                             but in scattered and defenceless rout,
At length, on the morning of the Sab- hewn down on every side by the remorsebath day, June 22d, the royal army, less hands of their fierce pursuing foes.
commanded by the Duke of Monmouth, Claverhouse, burning with the desire of
arrived at Bothwell, within a quarter of revenge for his defeat at Drumclog, urged
a mile of the bridge, which was in pos- on the pursuit and the slaughter with insession of the Presbyterian forces. Even exorable fury, till night compelled him to
then their baneful contentions did not quit his murderous work, wearied, but
cease. A deputation went to the duke, not satiated, with bloody butchery. Few
and presented a supplication for a redress fell in the battle, about four hundred perof grievances. He refused to treat with ished in the flight, and about twelve hunthem while they remained in arms; but dred remaiinng together in a body, surexpressing that he would be able to ob- rendered at discretion on the field.*
tain from his majesty both mercy and re-  Such was the fate of that unconcerted
dress if they would immediately lay and ill-conducted insurrection of the perdown their arms and.submit themselves secuted Presbyterians which terminated
to his clemency, he offered them half an in the disastrous battle of Bothwell
hour to consider and answer these terms. Bridge. But disastrous as the battle was,
That half hour was spent in hot alterca- it was but the prelude to horrors of an
tion; and when it was past, the duke unutterably more dreadful aspect.   The
sent a detachment to attempt the passage unfortunate prisoners were stripped alof the bridge. It was bravely defended most naked, and compelled to lie down' Both parties into which the persecuted sufferers upon the ground, while a strong guard
were henceforth divided were Presbyterians and Cov- kept watch over them  and fired upon
enanters, and equally deserve both appellations; but
the minority, consisting chiefly of the followers of
Hamilton, Cameron, Cargill, &c., may be termed the'Wodrow, vol. iii. pp. 88-100; Russell's Account ap.
strict Covenanters, to distinguish them from the larger pended to Kirkton; Wilson's Relation; Ure of Sharbody, who continued to adhere to the Covenant but garton, in M'Crie'i Lives of Veitch and Brysson; Black.
not with such unbending firmness.      adder's Memoirs.




256             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
them if but a single man raised his head Moor, and there hanged, as if to appease
or turned his body where he lay. Next the manes of the perjured Sharp.*
day they were bound together two and   But even these atrocities were slight,
two, and driven to Edinburgh by the compared with those committed by the
brutal soldiery, like cattle to a slaughter- army. " The bloody Claverhouse," at
house. There they were enclosed within the head of a strong detachment, was let
the Greyfriar's churchyard for a period loose upon the western and southern
of five months, half-naked, half-starved, counties, and swept across them, like a
and exposed to all the vicissitudes of the demon of destruction guiding an exterseason, unsheltered save by the tomb- minating whirlwind. Torture, rapine,
stones, and a few rude sheds erected to- and murder, marked his path. Those
wards the close of the autumnal months. who fled were hunted down and shot in
In the mean time, Claverhouse and some the fields; and these whose age or sex
others proposed to burn Glasgow and rendered them incapable of flight, were
Hamilton, and lay the surrounding coun- tortured, abused, and butchered by their
try waste; but to these savage proposals own hearthside. The hoary head of
-he Duke of Monmouth would not give threescore years and ten was dashed to
iis consent; and even exerted himself to the earth in blood; the shrinking form
check the severities of the council, and of woman was exposed to violence and
mitigate the sufferings of the persecuted fiery agonies, and the tender limbs of
insurgents. A proclamation was, how- youth were mangled, or their heads cut
ever, speedily issued, containing a list to the skull, with twisted cords, in the
of the gentlemen and ministers supposed barbarous attempt to wring from their
to be implicated in what was termed "the anguish a discovery where their dearest
late rebellion," declaring them traitors, relatives were concealed. But humanity
adding, "or any others who concurred recoils from the hideous recital of such
or joined in it." An indemnity was soon horrors, perpetrated by the command,
after published for all who would sub- beneath the eye, and often by the hand,
mit, but it was so ample in its exceptions of that relentless ruffian, the favourite
as to be a nullity, so far as regarded the hero whom the admirers of Scottish Preinsurgents. A bond was also formed to lacy delight to honour.
be offered to the prisoners, the terms of  To aid the sword in completing the
which were such that few of them felt ruin of the Presbyterians, circuit courts
at liberty to subscribe it, even to save were appointed to be held in the different
themselves from  death or banishment. counties which remained most steady to
They could not conscientiously term the their religious principles, empowered to
insurrection " rebellion;" and they would " prosecute with the utmost rigour all
not bind themselves to take up arms in suppliers, intercommuners, or corresself-defence. Yet this they must do, or pondents with the rebels who had been
prepare to suffer the extreme of tyranni- at Bothwell," and to forfeit and burn in
cal cruelty. Some of the prisoners were effigy those who did not appear upon
prevailed upon to take this bond; others citation.t  Lists were speedily made up
refused, and were condemned to slavery of all who had been at Bothwell, or
in the plantations. About two hundred were suspected to have been there, or
and fifty of them were crowded into one were suspected of being suspected to have
vessel, to be transported to Barbadoes and been favourably inclined towards the insold for slaves; but a storm wrecked the surgents. The curates were, as formerly,
ship, and, being confined within the hold, the chief informers; and in innumerable
from which the captain refused to release instances gratified their personal malice
them even when the vessel was founder- and revenge, by naming persons against
ing, not more than fifty escaped alive. whom they bore a private grudge, or
Two ministers, the Rev. Messrs. Kid who had shown dislike to Prelacy. By
and King, had been taken after the bat- these means all Presbyterians possessed
tie; and on the 14th of August they of any property were either dragged to
were both executed in Edinburgh. Five
odrow, vol. iii. 112-140.  t Wodrow vol.
other prisoners were carried to Magus iii.p. 141.




A. D. 1680.1     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   257
prison, or subjected to the most ruinous ciple would acknowledge. This division
exactions, extermination being the object proved highly injurious for a time to the
of their persecutors. Yet, as if to hide Presbyterian cause, not only by the weaktheir fierce intentions, and to cast the ness which such disunion always must
odium  upon their victims, an act was produce, but also by the tendency which
passed rescinding the acts against house- it had to leave the disunited parties to
conventicles, and offering a new shadow  fall into opposite extremes. The strict
of indulgence to Presbyterian ministers. Presbyterians, termed sometimes " CameAbout the same time the final struggle ronians," and sometimes "Society Peobetween Lauderdale and his opponents ple," by keeping aloof from all others,
took place; a full discussion of the de- and conversing only with those of their
merits of his administration being held in own sentiments, acquired a character of
the presence of the king and two English stern inflexible determination, and poured
noblemen, the Earls of Essex and Hali- their whole mental strength into a channel
fax. It ended, as was to be expected, in not too direct, but much too narrow, and
the king's giving a complete acquittal to became too prone to condemn the weakhis despotic minion, and even expressing nesses as well as the errors of many
approbation of his most sanguinary pro- whom  gentler treatment might have
ceedings. This approbation he expressed made their friends. On the other hand,
in private, in terms worthy of the most those of greater natural timidity and less
unprincipled tyrant. "I perceive," said strength of principle, who startled not
the heartless despot, "that Lauderdale only at the prospect of danger, but also at
has been guilty of many criminal actions the practical conclusions to which certain
against the people of Scotland; but I abstract principles seemed to lead, being
cannot find that he has done any thing left to themselves, tempted by indulgence
contrary to my interest;"*-as if the in- after indulgence, tried by bond after bond,
terest of a just sovereign could ever be yielding to one compliance after another,
different from that of his people. But fell gradually away from several of the
though Charles protected Lauderdale in great principles to which they ought
this last struggle, and in letters to the to have adhered, and in their own decouncil approved of all his proceedings, fence, as they imagined, were led to cenhe nevertheless allowed him to sink out sure or condemn views and doctrines
of public employment, the chief power in which, in more propitious circumstances,
Scotland being held for a short period by they would have been prompt to defend.
Monmouth, and then by the Duke of In this manner both parties were left inYork.                                sensibly to diverge somewhat from the
[1680.] The year 1680 was remark- straight line along which a more comable for what appears a new aspect as- prehensive view of their own leading
sumed by a section of the persecuted principles would have conducted them;
Presbyterians, but what in reality, if im- and, while almost equally exposed to the
partially considered, may rather be re- machinations and the violence of their regarded as a more full developement of lentless enemies, they began to regard
Presbyterian principles, somewhat bias- each other with mutual dislike, and at
sed and exaggerated through the force of times to commit the folly and the crime
circumstances. The defeat of the western of assailing each other in terms of bitter
army at Bothwell Bridge was greatly mutual recrimination.
caused, as has been already stated, by the  The first public manifestation of the
contentions between the stricter party and principles held by the stricter party of the
those of more accommodating views. Presbyterians took place incidentally, and
After that fatal day, the division between before their views had been thoroughly
the two parties not only continued, but matured.  The direction of their deepest
became wider, till it ended in a complete thoughts had been indicated during the
separation, Richard Cameron and Donald dissensions at Bothwell Bridge, by their
Cargill being the only ministers whom  refusal to make any public avowal of
those zealous opponents of all practical allegiance to the king in their declaratyranny and lax submissiveness of prin- tion. Subsequent reflection, in the midst
Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 470.  of the most cruel and unmerited persecu33




258            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VII.
tion, had only served to confirm their clare, that we shall set up over ourselves,
opinions; and they had arrived at the and over what God shall give us power
conclusion, that when sovereigns violate of, government and governors according
their solemn engagements with their sub- to the Word of God;-that we shall no
jects, and become tyrants, the people are  nore commit the government of ourreleased from theirs, and are no longer selves, and the making of laws for us, to
bound to support and defend those by any one single person, this kind of gowhom   they are oppressed. Few will vernment being most liable to inconveninow deny the abstract truth of this pro- ences, and aptest to degenerate into typosition; but in those days it was re- ranny."  This rash declaration of an
garded as the very essence of treason and intention of attempting to change the
rebellion. They had, it appears, begun form of government, was eagerly laid
to draw up a general statement of their hold of by all the. enemies of the Presbyprinciples, at first in the form of a mere terian Churcjh, and urged against the
outline, to guide their deliberations while whole body, as if it had been the unquesendeavouring to mature it into what tionable purpose of them all, instead of
might form a bond of union. While in being the unsigned and unauthenticated
this indigested condition, the paper was opinion of some unknown individuals
in the possession of Henry Hall of among them, driven into a state of desHaughhead, who in company with Mr. peration by long-continued and intoleraCargill, was lurking in the neighbour- ble outrage. But it was no part of the
hood of Queensferry.  Their conceal- characteristic conduct of the prelatic tyment had become known to the curates rants to exercise candour with regard to
of Borrowstounness and Carriden, who the opinions of their Presbyterian opgave information to the governor of ponents, or rather victims; and they had
Blackness Castle, by whom they were been too long in the habit of vending the
surprised at Queensferry on the 3d of most malicious calumnies against them,
June. The brave resistance of Henry to let slip so good an opportunity of
Hall secured the escape of Cargill, but blackening their character and theiI
he was himself mortally wounded in the cause. Therefore was the Queensferry
conflict, and died as they were conveying Paper keenly seized upon and universally
him to Edinburgh.  The paper contain- referred to, as containing the real sentiing the rude outline of the intended de- ments of the entire Presbyterian commuclaration above alluded to, was found on nity. In order so far to counteract the injuhis person. It is known by the name of rious consequences resulting from the unthe Queensferry Paper, from the place propitious promulgation of this rash
where it was seized; and, though an un- paper, Cameron, Cargill, and their adfinished, is nevertheless a very remarka- herents, framed another more deliberble production.*                     ately, containing a more matured view
This paper contains a statement ma- of their principles and opinions, and exterially the same with those on which cluding the objectionable clause respectboth the First and Second Reformations ing a change in the form of government;
were based,-an avowal of the Scriptures but at the same time renouncing alleas the only rule of faith and conversation, giance to the reigning monarch, on ac-a pledge to promote the kingdom of count of his perjury, usurpation ofeccleGod by every possible and lawful method, siastical supremacy, and tyranny in matand to attempt the rescue of religious ters civil; and declaring war against
truth from all oppression, —a declaration him and his supporters, as a tyrant and
of adherence to the covenanted Reforma- usurper, and an enemy of the Lord Jesus
tion of the Presbyterian Church,-a bold Christ and his cause and Covenant.
disowning of all authority which opposes This document, after having been pubthe Word of God and persecutes on ac- licly read, was affixed to the market-cross
count of religion,-and a bond of mutual of Sanquhar on the 22d of June, whence
protection and defence. But the most it came to be termed the Sanquhar Deobjectionable part of'this paper was the claration.*
following rash declaration:'" We do defollowing&~ rash~* d ai W od Wodrow, vol. iii. p. 218; Hind let Loose; Informa-' Wodrow, vol. iii. pp. 205-211.  tory Vindication.




A. D. 1680.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   259
The publication of the Sanquhar De- form the basis of the Revolution, we can
claration had no effect in mitigating the not resist the conviction, that in the former
wrath of the persecutors, nor even in re- we perceive the small germ out of which
pelling their calumnies. In their procla- arose British liberty, that plant of remations they contrived so to blend the nown, under the world-wide branches
Queensferry Paper with the Sanquhar of which all tribes and kindreds of manDeclaration, as to lead to the conclusion kind rejoice.  Almost the only real difthat they were identical; at the same ference between the Declaration of the
time holding them forth as the real senti- Cameronians, or rather the true Presby
ments of the entire body of the suffering terians, and that of the Convention of
Presbyterians. Nor did they fail to avail Estates at the Revolution, consisted in the
themselves of the opportunity which these former being the act of a small band of
papers seemed to afford, of issuing new  enlightened and determined patriots, the
and more cruel and exterminating corn- latter that of the nation. While, theremands to the army to pursue, seize, im- fore, none who approve the latter can
prison, or kill all who were suspected of consistently condemn the former, every
being concerned in these bold declara- generous heart will bestow the meed of
tions.  Cameron, Cargill, and ten other warmest approbation upon those who, in
persons, were declared traitors, and a the midst of reproach, danger, and death,
high price set on their heads; and the laid the foundation-stone and began the
magistrates throughout sixteen different structure, cemented with their blood, of
parishes were ordered to summon before civil and religious liberty, which men of
them all the inhabitants, male and female, less heroic mould were permitted in
above sixteen years of age, and take their calmer and brighter days to rear.
oaths' whether any of the foresaid trai-  The consequence of these daring detors were in that parish, and where, and clarations on the one hand, and revengewhen."  General Dalziel and the other ful measures on the other, soon appeared.
officers of the army were also ordered to Strong bands of soldiery overran the
apprehend every disaffected person, and country in all directions, and the country
send all such under a sufficient guard to people were either compelled to give inEdinburgh.  These violent proceedings formation by threats and tortures, or gave
were as usual, productive of two different it to avoid being suspected and treated
effects. They deterred some from join- accordingly. At the same time the foling the resolute band led by Cameron lowers of Cameron and Cargill kept toand Cargill; but they served to knit that gether in larger numbers than before,
band into closer union, and to confirm  consequently were the more exposed to
their determination  to maintain the information and discovery.  On the 22d
ground they had taken, and to bear aloft of July, information was given to Bruce
the banner of civil and religious liberty, of Earlshall, who commanded a large
as long as as there should be a living body of military, that Cameron, and a
hand to grasp it, and a living breast to party of armed men with him, were at a
form for it a defensive rampart.     place called Ayrsmoss, or Airdsmoss, in
It deserves to be especially remarked, the parish of Auchinleck. Seeing the
that the persecuting party, in their desire enemy approaching, and perceiving that
to cast obloquy upon their victims, caused escape was impossible, the persecuted
great numbers of the Queensferry Paper party resolved to stand on their defence,
and the Sanquhar Declaration to be and either to hew out for themselves a
printed and circulated throughout both path of retreat, or to sell their lives dearly.
England and Scotland, and by that means Hackston of Rathillet, who was among
disseminated the free and daring senti- them, took the command of the small
ments contained in these documents to an band, amounting to twenty-three horse
immeasurably greater extent than could and forty foot, indifferently armed. Being
have been in the power of their authors drawn up in battle-array, they waited the
to have accomplished, however desirous attack; and during the brief interval,
they might have been. And when we Cameron, in a short but fervent prayer,
read these papers, and compare them  committed their cause to God, using rewith the great national declarations which peatedly this pathetic expression, " Lord,




260             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND             [CHAP. V11.
spare the green and take the ripe." The sciousness were not yet gone. Several
encounter was sharp, but of short dura- other victims perished on the scaffold;
tion. At the first shock, the Covenant- but their death was not attended by such
ers, led by Hackston and Cameron, broke unparalleled atrocity, the recital of which
the front line of the enemy, and, had they makes the heart to shudder with horror
been vigorously seconded, might have and indignation.*
cut their way through the reeling ranks  Such monstrous cruelty was not found
of their antagonists; but the foot keeping to be a very effectual way of making
their position on the skirt of the moss, the proselytes to Scottish Prelacy, nor even
soldiers closed round the gallant band, of terrifying men into crouching submiswho, with instinctive Scottish bravery, sion to the dictates of despotism. The
forming back to back, their faces to their blood-stained banner which fell from
foes, continued the unequal conflict till Cameron's dying hand, was caught up,
nine were killed on the spot, and the rest and borne aloft by Cargill with unshrinkwere wounded, struck down, and'made ing resolution. And, as if to testify in
prisoners. Rathillet, severely wounded the most signal manner his abhorrence
and overpowered with numbers, was of the tyrannical persecutors, Cargill
made prisoner; but after the conflict, the publicly excommunicated the king, the
bodies of Cameron and his brother were Duke of York, the Duke of Monmouth,
found lying side by side among the slain. the Duke of Lauderdale, the Duke of
Twenty-eight of the soldiers were killed Rothes, General Dalziel, and Sir George
in this fierce skirmish; and several of Mackenzie.  This solemn sentence of
the Covenanters died of their wounds excommunication  he pronounced at a
within a few days.*                  field-preaching held at Torwood in StirCameron's head and hands were cut lingshire, in the month of September,
off and carried to Edinburgh, to be fixed after enumerating the series of grave ofup in some elevated position; even the fences against the laws of God and man
person who did the deed saying, " These of which they had been guilty. This
are the head and hands of a man who act was much censured by many at the
lived preaching and praying, and died time; but this at least may be said in its
fighting and praying."  But previous to defence, that whether Mr. Cargill was
this they were taken to his father, at that entitled on his own authority to pronounce
time in prison, who was cruelly asked if such a sentence or not, it was one which
he knew   them.  The venerable man these perjured and blood-stained men detaking them in his hands and kissing served. Nor was it regarded by the culthem, while the tears fell fast upon the prits themselves as an empty fulmination.
faded relics, exclaimed, "I know them, I deserving nothing but contempt.  It
know them; they are my son's, my own roused their wrath in the first instance,
dear'son's: it is the Lord; good is the and afterwards haunted several of thenm
will of the Lord!"  Hackston, wounded, like a voice of doom, from whose indefibleeding, and exhausted as he was, was nite terrors they could not escape.  Dur.
carried to Edinburgh; and as he was ing the course of the following year, the
known to have been present at the mur- Duke of Rothes fell dangerously ill; and
der of Sharp, though he laid not a hand perceiving the hand of death upon him.
upon that cruel apostate, the council de- he sent for some of the persecuted Prestermined to glut their fiend-like thirst of byterian ministers, to seek for instruction
revenge in his torments. When taken to from them, not his cherished prelates, in
the place of execution, his right hand was his parting hour. To one of them he
cut off, and, after a considerable interval, said,-" We all thought little of what
his left. He was then hung up by the that man did in excommunicating us;
neck; and while struggling in the ago- but I find that sentence binding upon me
nies of death, his breast was cut open, now, and will, I fear, bind to eternity."
and his heart torn out and exposed on the The faithful minister having spoken to
point of the executioner's knife, while its the despairing sinner of that infinite
palpitations and the convulsed quivering atonement which can expiate every deof his frame showed that life and con- gree of guilt, prayed fervently for reWodrow,vol. iii. p. 219; Life of Cameron, pp. 203,204.' Wodrow, vol. iii. pp. 222, 223; Cloud of Witnesses.




A. D. 1681]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  261
pentance and mercy to the unhappy man. Cargill preach, would not renounce the
Some of the noblemen in an adjacent Sanquhar Declaration, and had expressed
room hearing his voice, said, " That is a sympathy for the sufferings of some of
Presbyterian minister that is praying;" the victims of prelatic tyranny. The
and turning to the bishops, added, "not most ensnaring questions were put to
one of you can pray as they do, though them by Sir George Mackenzie, with the
the welfare of a man's soul should de- view of drawing from  them  answers
pend upon it. The Duke of Hamilton which might by his fiendish ingenuity be
remarked,-" We banish these men from  distorted into treasonable language. To
us, and yet, when dying, we call for its indelible disgrace the court pronounced
them; this is melancholy work!"* How  the sentence of guilty; and the innocent
mighty is the voice of conscience even in and helpless  martyrs  were brutally
a hardened heart, when that heart is hanged on the 26th of January, for the
stirred to its inmost depths!        heinous crime of hearing the gospel
Before the close of this year, the Duke preached in the fields.*
of York came to Edinburgh, and as-     About this time there appeared a small
sumed the main direction of public affiirs sect, who assumed the name of " Sweet
in Scotland, Lauderdale having sunk into Singers," but were generally termed Giba degree of dotage through excessive in- bites, from their leader, John Gib, a sailor
dulgence in his animal appetites. There in  Borrowstounness.  Their number
was also another reason. The course of never exceeded thirty persons, of whom
English politics was at that time setting four were men, and the rest chiefly young
strongly against the Duke of York's sue- and ignorant females. Their tenets may
cession to the crown, in consequence of be most briefly and accurately charachis bigoted attachment to Popery; and it terised by stating, that they were an abwas thought expedient to remove him surd compound of some of the most exfrom court for a season, till, by a series travagant notions of the Quakers, with
of intrigues, some change might be ef- some of the extreme speculative views of
fected in the public mind. During the the strict Covenanters. While, with the
duke's previous visit to Scotland he had former, they claimed inspiration, disrestriven to acquire some popularity, and garded learning, and rejected the names
had succeeded to a considerable extent of the months and the days of the week,
among the selfish and ambitious, who with the latter they disowned the king,were likely to be his most fitting instru- adding, and "all authority throughout
ments when his designs should be ma- the world."  Cargill attempted to reason
tured.  His present coming to Scotland them out of their absurdities, both in an
proved a signal for increased severity interview held with them for that puragainst the persecuted Presbyterians, and pose, and by letter, but in vain. They
especially against the followers of Cam- despised admonitions and remonstrances,
eron and Cargill.  Of this he gave a and spurned at reproof, condemning alike
fearful indication in presiding at the coun- all denominations of Christians in the
cil when one Spreul, an apothecary, was world who would not countenance their
subjected to the torture of the boot; for extravagancies. They were, in a short
while the greater part of the noblemen time, seized in a body; and, when examhurried away from the court, that they ined by the council, displayed such ignomight not witness the dreadful spectacle, rance and folly, that they were judged
the Duke of York remained, and gazed fitter for hard labour in the house of coron with grim delight, feasting his cruel rection than any other punishment. This
eyes with the victim's agonies.t     proved to them a sanatory process; and
[1681.]  The first trial which took when liberated, they generally returned
place in the year 1681 was that of two to their homes, resumed their occupations,
young women, Isabel Alison and Marion and ceased to exist as a sect.t But the
Harvey. The accusation against these persecuting party did not allow their
females was, that they had heard Mr. name to perish. It afforded too good an
opportunity of casting obloquy upon the' Cruickshank, vol. ii. p. 116; Life' of Cargill, p. 46.
t Wodrow, vol. iii. p. 253; Burnet's Own Times, vol.  Wodrow, vol. iii. pp. 275, 276; Cloud of Witnesses.
p. 583                                     t W ^?row, vol. iii. pp. 348-356.




262             HISIJRY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
true Presbyterians, who were falsely re- and gloomy fanatics which their perse
presented as holding the same opinions. cutors represented them to be, they migh
This the prelatists could not but know to have been safely left to pursue their own
be false, since one of the avowed tenets foolish and self-destructive course; they
of the Gibbites was the renouncing of the would soon have died out when they had
Covenant, the Confession of Faith, and reached the extreme of their absurdities;
the Sanquhar Declaration, for the defence but the guilty souls of the perjured preof which the Presbyterians were suffer- latists and the tyrannical council told
ing the extreme of persecution.  Let the them, that there was in the Presbyterian
judicious reader compare this single in- Church an amount of truth, which they
stance of what may truly be termed fanati- must either destroy by violence, or be by
cism in Scotland, after above twenty years it themselves destroyed.  They called
of persecution, with the almost innumer- them fanatics, traitors, and rebels; and
able multitude of sects which have sprung under these abusive names they strove to
up in every other country in times of conceal their hatred against true and
similar excitement and  suffering,-in vital religion; but all the while they
Germany, for example, at the Reforma- knew that these names were unjustly aption, or in England during the time of plied, and that they were themselves the
Cromwell, —and he can scarcely fail to fanatical devotees of sin, and actual
be astonished at the contrast. We have traitors and rebels against the dread Maalready suggested what seems the only jesty of the King Eternal.
explanation. The multiplicity and ex-   Cargill still continued to brave the tertravagance of sects is the consequence of rors of persecution, and to bear aloft with
the ignorance of the people, which has firm and fearless hand the banner of the
left them incapable of distinguishing be- Covenant. Against him the hottest rage
tween what is true and what is false, what of the tyrannical party was directed, and
is rational and what is absurd.  Hence troops of soldiers scoured the country in
the wild follies of the sectarians in Ger- all directions in pursuit of him.  Hunted
many, when emerging out of Popish ig- from place to place, he still continued to
norance; and hence, also, the extrava- preach in the fields, in the most solitary
gance of English sectarians, when striving moors and mountain fastnesses, to the unto escape out of Prelatic twilight. And, daunted few that dared to hear him. But
on the contrary, the fact that only four his noble warfare was nearly accommen, and twenty-five ortwenty.six women, plished. His last sermon was preached
fell into enthusiastic delusions during the upon Dunsyre common, between Clvdespersecution in Scotland, and in a parish dale and Lothian, on the 10th day of july.
where there had been a prelatic incum- That night, accompanied by two of his
bent for twenty years, may be regarded adherents, Walter Smith and James Boig,
as a conclusive proof of the superior effi- he slept at Covington Mill.  But inciency of the Presbyterian Church, in formation respecting his movements had
communicating sound and lasting instruc- been given to Irvine of Bonshaw, who
tion, such as the utmost malice of its had obtained a military commission; and
deadly enemies could neither destroy nor he, at the head of a strong party of drapervert.  The conduct of the council, too, goons, beset the house by daybreak, and
proves sufficiently, that while they un- seized Mr. Cargill and his two companjustly termed the whole of the Presby- ions. Bonshaw, whose border predatory
terians " fanatics," they knew the differ- habits had qualified him for such advenence between those who were truly so, tures, laid hold of his prisoner, exclaimand whom, therefore, they could despise ing with savage delight, " O blessed Bonand dismiss without the infliction of pun- shaw, and blessed day that ever I was
shnment, and those whom they knew to born, that have found such a prize this
be animated by principles of indestructible morning!" the reward of 5000 merks,
might, because of eternal truth, before which had been set upon Cargill's head,
which they themselves bowed with guilty being the only thing for which his heart
terror, and to which they paid the strange could rejoice.  The cruel moss-trooper
homage of the most deadly hatred.  Had then placed Cargill upon an unsaddled
the Presbyterians been indeed the wild horse, tying with his own hands the feet




A. D. 1681.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    263
of his prisoner beneath the animal's belly, parliament, and a bill for securing it had
so hard as to cause severe pain to the suf- been rejected in the House of Lords, on
ferer.*                              account of the duke's avowed adherence
The prisoners were all taken to Edin- to Popery.  It seems to have been the
burgh and brought to trial. Little proof opinion of the Romish politicians, that
was sought, and indeed little was required, there would be less opposition made in
as they all readily admitted that they had Scotland; and that, if the duke's succesdone what the council had called treason. sion were ratified in the latter kingdom,
Yet some compunction seems to have England would rather submit than incur
seized the council, for they hesitated the hazard of a civil war. It was, bewhether to confine Cargill to the Bass for sides, a part of the great scheme for the
life, or to pass the sentence of death upon re-establishment of Popery in both counhim. They were equally divided when tries,-a scheme which was the ruling
it came to the vote of the Earl of Argyle, principle of the whole policy of both the
who gave his voice for death, by which royal brothers.
the question was decided, and he was con-  The parliament began its labors by
demned to die.t  This fatal vote was passing a short yet n.mbiguous act, ratifyafterwards remembered by the Covenant- ing all former acts respecting religion.
ers, when Argyle wished them to join In the second act there was no such amhis insurrection, and it prevented them  biguity.  It was respecting the succession
from uniting with him and being involved to the crown, and asserted in the most
in his overthrow. It was also remem- stringent terms, "That the kings. of this
bered with deep remorse by the unhappy realm, deriving their royal power from
nobleman himself, when his own hour God Almighty alone, do succeed lineally
came to meet a similar doom.  Cargill, thereto, according to the known degrees
the two that were taken with him, and of proximinity in blood, which cannot be
two others taken about the same time, interrupted, suspended, or diverted by any
were executed on the 27th of July, and act or statute whatsoever; and that no
their heads fixed on spikes above two of difference in religion, nor no law or
the gates of Edinburgh.  They all died act of parliament made, or to be made,
in full possession of the peace and joy of can alter or divert the right of succesmartyrs, Cargill declaring that he went sion."  All attempts or designs to alter
up the ladder with less fear or perturba- the succession were declared to be treason.
tion of mind than ever he entered a pulpit Such was what Wodrow calls the " everto preach.                           lasting act" of this subservient parliament,
Instead of continuing to relate the -an act the futility of which the duke was
bloody deeds of the persecutors, it seems afterwards to experience, though its enactexpedient to mention some of their legis- ment must have delighted his despotic
lative enactments.  It was now nine years heart.  Another act, for securing the
since a parliament had been held in Scot- peace of the country, bore directly against
land, and the king determined that one the Presbyterians, and exposed them to
should be called, appointing the Duke of still greater severities and more arbitrary
York to be the royal commissioner. The treatment than they had previously enchief objects which the king had in view  dured, dreadful as their oppression had
in calling this parliament were to procure already been.  On the 31st of August
some new enactments against the Cove- was passed the crowning act of this slavnanters, and a legislative sanction to the ish parliament,-the infamous Test Act.
Duke of York's succession to the crown, The assumed object of this act was for the
as appeared plainly, both fiom his ma- security of the Protestant religion "against
jesty's letter to the parliament, and from  Popery and fanaticism;" and for that purtheir obsequious answer, in which these pose it contained an oath which was to be
were made the leading topics. The sub- taken by all persons occupying places of
ject of the Duke of York's succession trust and public employment, with the exhad already been discussed in the English ception of papists. The two main propositions of the oath were, an avowal of
* Wodrow, vol. iii. pp. 279-284; Cruickshank, vol. ii. belief in, and adherence to, the First Con.. 107; Life of Cargill, p. 44.             o 
t' Life of Cargill, pp. 50, 51  fession of Faith drawn up by the early




264             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
reformers; and an acknowledgment that ing the greater part of the prelatic clergy
the king " is the only supreme governor who had at first refused; and the adher.
of this realm, over all persons, and in all ents of Popery had no difficulty in taking
cases, as well ecclesiastical as civil." It an oath which some of them might
contained also a distinct renunciation of know to be intended to strengthen their
the covenants, and a bond not to attempt party, and from which they all knew
any change in the government of either that they could very easily procure absoChurch or State, as by law established, lution.
which of necessity implied the entire and  But the might of the storm fell first
final abandonment of every Presbyterian upon the Earl of Argyle.  The wellprinciple.*                          known hereditary attachment of this noIt was manifestly impossible for any bleman's family to Presbyterian princiman of candid, upright, and honorable ples had made him an object of suspicion
mind to take an oath, containing proposi- to the Duke of York, who on his coming
tions directly opposed to each other, and to Scotland, had resolved either to gain
inferring  duties, the performance of Argyle wholly to his own designs, or to
which, according to the literal meaning of compass his destruction. Even before
the terms, was absolutely impracticable. that time, Argyle had been distrusted by
But the making of oaths had been so the Scottish council; but as he had conlong a customary expedient of the Scot- curred generally in their persecuting
tish administration, that but few public measures, and in some instances strongly,
men retained any regard for the sacred as in the case of Cargill, there had been
obligation which they implied; and it hitherto no grounds for instituting prowas more consistent with the dark ceedings formally against him. The deand treacherous policy of the Duke of sired opportunity was furnished by the
York to employ men totally devoid of test. He declined taking this absurd and
conscientious scruples, and prepared for impious bond, and offered to relinquish
any extreme which tyranny could devise, all his hereditary jurisdiction, and exhibit
than to retain such as had some regard his loyalty merely as a private subject:
for truth, integrity, and religious princi- but having been informed that he would
ples. An immediate contest accordingly be allowed to take the test with an explaarose between the unscrupulous minions nation, he consented to do so.  The
of despotism, and those who had still some explanation he gave was, "that he took
attachment to religious and civil liberty. it in as far as it was consistent with itself,
Some refused the Test at once, and were and with the Protestant religion."  The
immediately cast into prison: The Duke Duke of York at first expressed himself
of Hamilton hesitated, but subsequently satisfied; but learning from Sir George
took the oath. The Earl of Queensber- Mackenzie, that the explanation might
ry took it with an explanation, but such a be so strained as to appear of treasonable
one as was not calculated to give offence; import, he issued a command to Ardeclaring that he did not hold himself gyle to enter the Castle of Edinburgh as
bound to oppose alterations in Church or a prisoner. Argyle complied, and was
State, in case it should seem good to his brought to trial before the Court of Justimajesty to make them.  A considerable ciary, headed by Q;ueensberry as justicenumber of the prelatic clergy refused to general.  The indictment, drawn by
take the test, and some of them carried Mackenzie, was such a wretched piece of
their opposition so far as to leave their sophistry, that it seems surprising that
situations rather than be guilty of what the judges did not frown it out of court at
amounted to perjury. Not one prelate, once, as contradictory alike to law and
however, carried his opposition so far, reason. But unhappily the opinions and
although one, the bishop of Aberdeen, decisions of lawyer an  es and judges are not
exhibited considerable reluctance to take always such as can be defended by rules
an oath so full of absurdity, and so capa- of logic and approved of by right reason.
ble of evil. Paterson, bishop of Edin-  Argyle was ably defended by Lockburgh, framed an evasive explanation of hart and Dalrymple; and when the
the test, which had the effect of reconcil- judges came to express their decision,
* Wodrow, vol. iii       there were but four present, besides the




A. D. 1682.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  265
justice-general; and these four were and resentful detestation of all true Pres.
equally divided in opinion. As Queens- byterians were unbounded; and some
berry had himself qualified the test, he intelligible indications were given that
regarded it as unseemly in him to give a the heart of the country was almost roused
casting vote against Argyle; and there- to a sterner resistance than had yet been
fore Lord Nairn, who had been absent, manifested. Even  children  indulged
from the pleadings in consequence of his their feelings in mock trials of dogs, for
age and infirmity, was sent for to decide the crime of taking the test with a qualifia cause which he had not heard. The cation.*  From such things, slight and
pleadings were, however, read over to trifling as they might appear, the despotic
him, during which he fell asleep; and rulers ought to have learned that a time of
being awakened at the close, he gave his retribution was at hand.  For when the
vote against Argyle. After this mockery youth of a nation become the assertors of
of justice, by which the relevancy of the any great principle, its triumph cannot
indictment was sustained, Argyle was be remote; it grows with their growth
tried before a jury of his peers, and pro- and strengthens with their strength, so
nounced guilty of treason, and a letter that their manhood and its supremacy are
sent to the king for liberty to the justicia- realized together.
ry to pronounce sentence upon the verdict.  [1682.] When Cargill perished on the
His majesty might have so modified the scaffold, that determined band of Covesentence as to preserve Argyle's life; nanters who had adhered to him were
but as it was now apparent that the death left without a minister, no man for a time
of this nobleman was intended, his friends daring to take up a position so imminently
contrived to procure information respect- perilous.  In this emergency these fearing the tenor of the king's answer before less and high-principled men resolved to
that answer had reached the Scottish form themselves into a united body, concouncil.  Having ascertained that the sisting of societies for worship and resentence of death was to be passed, but ligious intercourse in those districts where
its execution to be delayed during the they most abounded; and for the more
king's pleasure, he resolved to escape effectual preservation of their opinions,
from prison, if possible, before his ene- and security against errors, in the abmies were fully aware of the tenor of his sence of a stated ministry, these smaller
majesty's answer. That very night, the societies appointed deputies to attend a
20th of December, he effected his escape, general meeting, which was empowered
disguised as a page, and bearing the train to deliberate upon all suggestions, and
of Lady Sophia Lindsay. A proclama- adopt such measures as the exigency of
tion was almost immediately issued, the times required. The first meeting of
declaring the sentence of death against these united societies was held on the
him, and the forfeiture of his lands and 15th of December 1681, at Logan House,
titles, and offering a reward for his ap- in the parish of Lesmahagow, Lanarkprehension; but notwithstanding the shire, where it was resolved to draw up a
keenness of the pursuit in all directions, public testimony against the defections
he reached London undiscovered, guided and dangers of the times. But this testiby Mr. Veitch, one of the ejected and in- mony was not promulgated till the begintercommuned Presbyterian ministers, and ning of the year 1682, into the annals of
soon afterwards took refuge in Holland. which we have accordingly placed it.
When these tyrannical proceedings be- On the 12th of January, about forty men,
came generally known in England, they armed for self-defence, if necessary, enexcited universal surprise and indigna- tered the town of Lanark, where, having
tion. Lord Halifax told the king that he publicly burnt the Test Act, they solemndid not understand the law of Scotland, ly read their declaration and testimony,
but that English law would not have and affixed a copy of it to the markethanged a dog for such a crime. And cross.t
the Earl of Clarendon, when he heard   From the fact that these people, in the
the sentence, "blessed God that he lived absence of a stated ministry, formed themnot in a country where there were such,.  3.        t 
a 11  mi  i  Wodrow, vol. iii. pp. 296.344.  t WodroW.
laws"   Throughout Scotland the alarm  vol. iii. p. 357.
34




266             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII,
selves into societies for mutual religius bear?"*  Such were the sentiments of
intercourse and edification, they came to that greatly oppressed and much slanderbe designated the Society People, a term  ed people; and instead of condemning
frequently applied to them by Wodrow, severely the strong language which they
as that of Cameronians has been general- use, we may rather admire the free and
ly given to them  by other historians. manly sentiments which they so well exSuperficial readers are liable to be misled press, at a time when nearly the whole
by names, of the origin and application aristocracy of the land were bowing their
of which they have no accurate concep- necks beneath the most degraded bondage,
tion. But the affixing of a new name to and uttering the language of fawning and
a party is no sure proof that it has taken sycophantic slavery.
new grounds.  That "persecuted rem-    When the intelligence of this Lanark
nant," as they called themselves, had in- declaration reached Edinburgh, the coundeed taken up no new principles; the cil made an exhibition of empty fury, by
utmost they can be justly charged with ordering the magistrates to burn that pais, merely that they had followed up the per, together with the Solemn League
leading principles of the Presbyterian and and Covenant, by the hands of the comCovenanted Church of Scotland to an ex- mon hangman; which was accordingly
trerne point, from which the greater part done, with much unmeaning ceremony,
of Presbyterians recoiled; and that in at the market-cross. The town of Lanark
doing so, they had used language capable was then fined in six thousand merks,
of being interpreted to mean more than for not preventing the publication of this
they themselves intended. Their honesty declaration in their jurisdiction, although
of heart, integrity of purpose, and firm- the strength of the Covenanters was such
ness of principle, cannot be denied; and that the magistrates dared not attempt to
these are noble qualities; and if they did interrupt them.
express their sentiments in strong and  The absence of the Duke of York,
unguarded language, it ought to be re- who had gone to London soon after the
membered, that they did so in the midst rising of the Scottish parliament, caused
of fierce and remorseless persecution, ill some relaxation of the severities directed
adapted to make men nicely cautious in against the Presbyterians, so that fewer
the selection of balanced terms wherein perished on the scaffold this year than
to express their indignant detestation of had done for several years before.  Yet
that unchristian tyranny which was so this comparative leiiency was not so
fiercely striving to destroy every vestige great as to prevent the death of several,
of both civil and religious liberty.  the imprisonment of many more, and the
The declaration of Lanark re-asserted utter destruction of estate and property to
and confirmed those of Rutherglen and a still greater number.  A commission
Sanquhar, renewed the disavowal of al- was given to Claverhouse to proceed to
legiance to the king on account of his Galloway with a troop of horse, to comlong and continued tyranny, condemned pel all to take the test, and to punish at
the recent acts of parliament, and boldly discretion all who refused, or whom he
asserted the right of freemen to extricate suspected of being disaffected persons.
themselves from under a tyrannous yoke, So well did he execute his orders, that
"' Shall the end of government be lost," the council conferred on him a vote of
said that spirited paper, "through the thanks for his zeal against the Presbyweakness, wickedness, and tyranny of terians. Similar commissions were given
governors 1  Must the people, by an im- to Major White, and Urquhart of Melplicit submission and deplorable stupidi- drum, to promote ecclesiastical conformity, destroy themselves, and betray their ty in the same manner in which they
posterity, and become objects of reproach showed themselves no less willing instruto the present generation, and pity and ments of oppression.  About the same
contempt to the future?  Have they not, time the Scottish prelates wrote a formal
in such an extremity, good ground to letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
make use of that natural power they applauding in the most fulsome language
have to shake off that yoke which neither of adulation, the measures pursued by
we nor our forefathers were able to         Informatory Vindication, p. 251.




A. D. 1682.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   267
the Duke of York in Scotland, ascribing for the purpose of checking some erronethe increased prosperity of their order to ous opinions resembling those of the Gibhis'" gracious owning and vigilant pro- bites, which two or three of their memtection" of them, and to his " eminent bers were accused of holding. No dezeal against the  most unreasonable claration was either issued or proposed,
schism;" —so naturally did Scottish Pre- nor any thing of a public nature done,
lacy take refuge and find protection be- except that, by mutual exhortation and
neath the wing of an avowed and bigot- prayer, the sufferers were encouraged to
ed Papist.                           persevere in the maintenance of their
The Duke of York paid his last visit great and sacred principles. Yet, the
to Scotland in May. Having found the curate of the parish having sent informastorm of hostility against him considera- tion to the council after the meeting had
bly abated in England, he thought it de- quietly dispersed, misrepresenting it as a
sirable for him  to reside there; but large armed assembly, a violent procladeemed it expedient, before quitting Scot- mation was immediately issued, censurland finally, to place the administration ing the people of the district for not havof affairs in that Kingdom in the hands ing given instant information, and giving
of his devoted friends.  The Earl of orders how that was in future to be done.
Queensberry was accordingly appointed All were strictly commanded, that wheretreasurer; Gordon of Haddo was created soever any number of men convocated in
Earl of Aberdeen, and made chancellor; arms, or where any one or two of such
and the Earl of Perth was constituted as had been declared traitors or fugitives
justice-general. Queensberry was pe- were seen, intimation was immediately to
culiarly characterised by avarice, Aber- be given to the next authorities, who were
been by cunning, and Perth by cruelty: to raise the inhabitants and pursue the
and with three such men at the head of fugitives " with hue and cry," till they
affairs in Scotland, the Duke might well should be apprehended and sent to Edinregard his interests as tolerably secure. burgh; with certification that all who
Yet before departing, which he did on neglected to give information, or refused
the 15th of May, the duke strenuously to join in the pursuit, should be held
recommended to the council the suppres- equally guilty with the proscribed offendsion of the Presbyterians, advising them  ers.*  Even this furious proclamation
to send additional troops to the most sus- was found ineffectual, through the natural
pected counties. They thanked him for reluctance which every man of common
the excellent pattern of government which humility felt to allow himself to be transhe had placed before them, begged the muted into a bloodhound, for the purpose
continuance of his kindness, and pro- of hunting down his fellow-creatures,
mised constant devotion to his service in whose only guilt consisted in their reso
every respect.*                     lute determination to obey God rather
After the departure of the duke, the than man, in spite of persecution.  Tt
council showed the utmost alacrity in render it more effectual, commission,
complying with his directions.  Full were given to military officers, to confe:
powers were given to the Earl of Dum- with the sheriffs and other authorities; to
fries, General Dalziel, and Claverhouse, call before them every suspected person;
to search for and punish all who were and to pronounce sentence, and order imsuspected to be rebels, or disaffected to the mediate execution, with or without the
government either in Church or State,-  concurrence of the magistrates.t It is
their commission giving them liberty to scarcely necessary to direct the attention
plunder, fine, and imprison at discretion. of any reader to this act of council, which
Nor did they hesitate to stain their own contains the very essence of despotism, by
hands in blood, several victims perishing placing in the same hands both judicial
on the scaffold by the sentence of the and executive power. Yet it was only
council.                            the completion of what had been previousOn the 15th of June, a general meeting ly begun, though in a less formal manof delegates from the united societies was ner, when the soldiery were empowered
held at Talla-linn, Tweedsmuir, chiefly to question those whom they seized on
Wodrow, vol, iii. pp. 365, 366.  Wodrow, vol. iii. p. 376.  1 Ibid., vol. iii. p. 379.




268             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
matters involving life and death; and it of Perth kept it back, and allowed the
may be added, it was the natural conse- judicial murder to be committed.  His
quence of the doctrine of the King's abso- estate was forfeited, and his widow and
lute supremacy, by which both the legis- five children exposed to the extremes of
lative and the executive functions of gov- poverty.A
ermnent were merged in the royal pre-  11683.] The beginning of the year
rogative, than which there cannot be a 1863 was signalized by an extension of
more entire and perfect despotism.  the system of instituting commissions for
The military judges received most the prosecution of the Presbyterians.
efficient aid from the curates, who fur- Numerous fines were levied by these
nished them with lists of suspected per- commissions, in many cases upon persons, and procured informers of the low- sons who had been previously reduced to
est and vilest of the populace to bear wit- great distress by these exorbitant exacness against them. The mode in which tions. Circuit courts were also renewed
the curates prepared these lists sufficient- this year, for the purpose of extending the
ly proves the character of these men. If oppressive measures of the prelatic party
any person did not attend upon their over the whole of thewestern and southern
ministry,-if he spoke in terms of respect counties. Great numbers were thrown
and pity of the sufferers,-if he was over- into prison, several were banished or sent
heard reading the Bible in private, or to the Bass, and a considerable number
conducting family worship in his own perished on the scaffold. Among these
house,-any person guilty of any of these was Andrew  Guillan, who had been
practices was immediately suspected of present at the murder of Sharp, though
being a staunch Presbyterian, and infor- he merely held the horses of the chief
mation lodged against him by the curate. assassins while they were committing the
Such was the manner in which these bloody deed. Him the persecutors,put
wolves devoured their flocks.*  Several to a cruel death, similar to that inflicted
instances of human barbarity occurred, on Hackston of Rathillet. Lawrie of
with the recital of which we will not Blackwood was brought to trial for holdshock our readers.                  ing converse with rebels, and allowing
One trial of a more public nature, some who had been at Pentland and
which occurred towards the end of the Bothwell to retain their farms on his esyear, must be mentioned. This was the tate. It was not proved that any of the
trial of Hume of Hume, a gentleman who tenantry were in the lists of intercornwas known to be friendly to the cause of muned persons; and it could not be
the persecuted wanderers, and whom, known to him, as he resided generally in
therefore, it was determined to destroy. Edinburgh, whether any of them had
All the main charges brought against been in arms at Bothwell or not. At the
him failed through utter want of proof; Pentland insurrection he had been embut this did not lead to his release. It ployed by General Dalziel to hold interwas ascertained that he had been near course with the insurgents, for the pur
the house of M'Dowal of Mackerston pose of endeavouring to persuade them to
when some disturbance arose, which had submit; and it was not proved that he
been termed rebellion; and though he had subsequently maintained any corresoffered proof that he was altogether unac- pondence with them. Yet he was conquainted with the occurrence of that dis- demned, and, though his life was spared,
turbance, and had gone to the vicinity his estate was forfeited. This caused
merely to purchase a horse, he was not great alarm, as there were very few
allowed to bring forward evidence in his landed proprietors in the south and west
own defence, was condemned to death, of Scotland against whom similar charges
and executed on the strength of that un- might not have been brought; and his
substantial rumour. His friends, aware sentence was equivalent to the placing of
of his danger, had made application at the whole property of the kingdom at the
court, and had actually procured a pardon, arbitrary disposal of the council, upon
which reached Edinburgh two days be- false charges of constructive treason t
fore the day of execution; but the Earl
fore the day'f execution; but te  Wodrow, vol. ili. pp 416-419.  t Burnet's Own
" Wodrow, vol. iii. p. 383, et seq.  rimes, vol. i. p. 526.




A. D. 1683.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   269
Many began to entertain serious inten- theless, a heart that loved peace, and was
tions of abandoning their country, and full of natural gentleness; but he seemed
seeking in foreign lands that liberty to feel himself devoted to a task too
which was denied them in their own,-  mighty and important to allow any perfeeling that there was more than an sonal feelings to impede his course. He
empty threat in the saying of the Duke had once more raised aloft the banner of
of York, " that Scotland would never be the Covenant, and spread its folds abroad
at peace till the whole country south of on the free mountain winds, and he was
the Forth was turned into a hunting- determined to keep it floating there while
field."                              life was his, and to shed his last drop of
Since the death of Cargill there had blood in its defence. And if, in declaring
been no ministers bold enough to preach this high enterprise, his tongue did utter
in the open field; and those whom Wod- strong and burning words, surely there
row calls "the Society People" had been was more concession to be made to such
left without the blessings of a stated a man, at such a time, and in such a
ministry and the dispensation of religious cause, than to those who had stooped to
ordinances. But Mr. James Renwick, accept an indulgence from prelatic tywho had for some time kept company rants, and who, being thereby half enwith the persecuted wanderers in pre- slaved, shrunk from the bold accents of
vious years, had been to Holland, and liberty, and basely censured what they
having completed his education at Gron- wanted courage to imitate.
ingen, and obtained ordination from the  The return of Renwick, and the rePresbytery there, he returned to Scot- commencement of field-preaching, roused
land, and accepted an invitation from the anew the wrath of the persecutors, as was
Covenanters to be their minister. He manifested in an act of council published
commenced his ministerial career in Sep- on the 8th of October, imposing heavy
tember, preaching in the fields at a place fines upon the districts where Renwick
called Darmead, where a general meet- had been known to preach.* This, howing of the persecuted party had been as- ever, was but a faint beginning of a
sembled. In this, his first public sermon, course of remorseless persecution, which
Renwick thought proper to give a full raged for several successive years, with
statement of his views and opinions re- more intense and wide-spread fury than
specting the path of duty and peril on had previously been known. For not
which he was about to enter. In this, it only is it a well-known fact, that a course
appears, he expressed himself somewhat of persecution becomes the more bloody
rashly, particularly in stating with what the longer it continues, from the hardenministers he could not hold intercourse, ing and unhumanizing reflex influence
mentioning some by name, and assigning of their own conduct upon the persecuthe reasons why he must continue to tes- tors; but also, there was, in the case of
tify against their defections, by standing the Scottish sufferers, after Renwick's
aloof from their communion. This open arrival, something which excited at once
avowal of his sentiments, exposed Ren- the malice and the fear of their baffled
wick at once to great obloquy. He was foes. The prelatic party had begun to
accused of having excommunicated a exult in the apparent discomfiture and
great number of the best ministers in submission of their victims, and thought
Scotland, this construction being put upon they had now little more to do than to
his specific censure of their defections; divide the spoil, when suddenly the lonely
and the effect was a more complete separ- solitudes again resounded with the voice
ation between the Society People and of prayer and praise, breathed forth by
their less resolute Presbyterian brethren the free and fearless adherents of Scot.
than had previously existed.  He de- land's covenanted Presbyterian Church,
plored this hurtful disagreement, and ex- and they began to feel that the battle was
pressed great regret that his unguarded yet to be fought, and with men who
language should have given occasion to knew not to yield. They might have
it; but he could not violate his principles begun to learn that there is an imperishfor the sake of peace.*  His was, never- able life in the great principles of truth,' Life of Renwick, pp. 40-44.          Wodrow, vol. iii. p. 446.




270             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
against wiich the utmost power of men upon the Presbyterians, or "the fanatics,"
may rage and dash as vainly as do the as irreligious men delighted to call them.
wind-swept waves, when they cast their The results of this malicious accusation
foam against the everlasting rocks.   did not fully manifest themselves till the
That event known in English history following year.
by the name of the " Rye-house Plot" oc-  [1684.] The year 1684 begins the last
curred this year, and was wrested into a and bloodiest period of the persecution,
cause of additional suffering to the Scot- termed by the sufferers themselves, "kiltish Presbyterians. Being so much a ling time."  All the terrible enginery of
matter of English history, we shall not persecution was now brought into full
enter into details, further than is neces- operation; and the practised hands and
sary for explaining in what manner it callous hearts of the oppressors wielded
was made to bear upon the affairs of their murderous weapons without reScotland. It has already been mentioned, morse, WVien disappointed in one inthat the excessive oppression under which stance, their savage spirits thirsted the
they groaned had caused a number of more intensely for a deeper draught of
Scottish gentlemen to deliberate upon the blood from some less protected source.
propriety of entering upon a voluntary Public judicial murders gave sanction
exile to the colonies. Several of them  and encouragement to that indiscriminate
went to London to prepare for emigra- slaughter perpetrated xy the soldiery
tion; but while there, they learned that throughout the country, till the entire
some English patriots were endeavouring west and south of Scotland was one field
to concert a scheme by which they might of blood.
rescue their country from tyranny, and  The Justiciary Court began its fearful
prevent the Duke of York's succession career on the 28th of February; and
to the crown in the event of his brother's before it had continued its sittings longer
demise. At the head of this conspiracy than four days, three Presbyterians obwere Monmouth, Shaftesbury, Russell, tained the crown of martyrdom. In a
and Sidney.   The Scottish deputation few days another guiltless victim met a
entered into correspondence with these similar fate. But these were opportunipatriotic men; and a considerable num- ties of gratifying only their love of cruber of free-hearted nobility and gentry elty; and other victims must be sought,
began to enter warmly into the enterprise, possessing property, the confiscation of
among whom were, Lord Melville, the which would gratify their avarice. Their
Earl of Tarras, Sir Patrick Hume of grasp was first laid on Sir Hugh CampPolwarth (afterwards Lord Marchmont), bell of Cesnock, who was accused of beBaillie of Jerviswood, Sir John Coch- ing accessory to the Rye-house plot.
rane, Campbell of Cesnock, and others. Finding that there was no evidence whatThey entered into a correspondence with ever to corroborate that charge, and bethe Earl of Argyle in Holland, which ing still determined to secure their vicwas conducted chiefly through the Rev. tim, a new accusation was framed, chargWilliam  Carstares, one of the Presby- ing him with participation in the insurterian ministers.  A  short intercourse rection of Bothwell Bridge.  Two wit
with the English plotters was enough to nesses were produced; but when con
show the Scottish gentlemen that the en- fronted with Cesnock, and solemnly ab
terprise could not succeed; and they jured by him to speak the truth, they re
abandoned it before it was discovered. tracted their previous statements.  The
In the meantime there was an underplot, spectators shouted  with delight, Sir
conducted by men of different character George Mackenzie stormed furiously.
and views, which had for its object the terming this shout a "Protestant roar,"
death of the king, and the change of the declaring that he " had always had a
monarchy into a republic.  With this, kindness for the Presbyterian persuasion
neither the English  nobility nor the till now, and that he was convinced it hugs
Scottish Presbyterians were at all ac- the most damnable trinket in nature."*
quainted; but upon its discovery the go- In vain he strove to browbeat the jury;
vernment endeavoured to identify the they returned a verdictof not guilty, and
two, and especially to charge the whole' wodrow, vol. iv. p. 91.




A, D. 1684.]    HIST RY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   271
Cesnock was-acquitted?-no!-he was could not shake his constancy, he was
remanded to prison, his estate forfeited, subjected to the torture of the thumbkin
and shortly afterwards he was sent to the or thumb screw. The utmost which they
Bass.  The jury were compelled to succeeded finally in extorting from the
make an apology, and the witnesses were worn-out sufferer, was his assistance in
laid in irons.  Such was the justice decyphering a letter written in secret
shown to Presbyterians by their lawless characters by Argyle, in which the purpersecutors.                         pose of preventing the Duke of York's
To compensate for this disappointment, succession was mentioned, but nothing
the Military Commission Court condem- tending to corroborate the charge of inned and executed five Presbyterians at tended assassination.  The names of
Glasgow, after a mock trial, upon evi- Carstares and Baillie of Jerviswood were
dence not only slight, but contradictory, contained in Argyle's letter, and this exand utterly incompetent to substantiate posed them to the wrath of the council.
the charge, which was merely that they  Carstares had been apprehended in
had either been at Bothwell, or had at England, at first by mistake for a differleast held intercourse with the "rebels." ent person, and retained in custody on
But the joy of the persecutors was great account of being suspected to have some
when they seized Captain John Paton of knowledge of the meditated insurrection
Meadowhead, who had held a command for which Russell and Sidney died; and
both at Pentland and Bothwell. This also because he was believed to be in the
gallant gentleman boldly acknowledged confidence of the Scottish exiles in Holand defended what he had done, answer- land. He was sent down to Scotland to
ing every charge with such courage and be tried, contrary to the provisions of
dignity that the council, struck with ad- English law; and the mention of his
miration, entertained some intentions of name in the papers decyphered by
sparing his life, to which, however, the Spence exposed him to the severity of
prelates would not consent. He met his the Scottish council.  He endured the
death on the scaffold with as much forti- torture of the thumbkin for an hour and
tude as he had exhibited in the battle- a half with unwavering fortitude, refusfield, but with the superadded dignity of ing to answer any questions by which he
Christian forgiveness to his murderers.*  might be led to criminate other parties.
The absolute injustice as well as cru- When released from  torture and reelty of the courts, were shown peculiarly manded to prison, he learned that the inin the trials of Spence, Carstares, and formation derived from Spence contained
Jerviswood.  Mr. William  Spence had nearly all that the questions to be probeen Secretary to the Earl of Argyle, posed to him could involve, and accordand it was thought that he must be capa- ingly he consented to answer without
ble of giving important information re- further torture, stipulating that his anspecting the supposed connection of the swers should not be used as evidence
Scottish Presbyterians with the Rye- against the persons accused, nor himself
house Plot. He had been kept for some confronted with them as a witness. These
time in prison heavily loaded with iron stipulations were, as usual, immediately
fetters, which were struck off that he violated, and an unfair account of his
might be examined by torture. The tor- confession published, and attempted to
ture of the boot failed to wring from him  be used against Jerviswood, on whose
any such disclosure as the council wished. death the council was bent. It deserves
He was then sent back to prison; and an to be recorded, to the credit of Carstares,
order of almost unparalleled atrocity that he was in the possession of state sewas issued by the council, that a party crets greatly more important than those
of soldiers should keep watch beside the which the council were attempting to
exhausted suffrerr, and not permit him  wring from  him, the offer to discover
to sleep day nor night till he should con- which would have secured him from torfess. Several days together, Burnet says ture, and the discovery of which might
eight or nine, was this fearfully barbar- have frustrated the success of the subseous order enforced; and when even this quent enterprise of the Prince of Orange.' Wodrow, vol. iv. p. 65; Scottish Worthies, p. 366. But iwhen Carstares had answered to the




272             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
questions directly put by the council, they lieve him guilty? The advocate quail.
seem to have concluded that he was ed beneath the searching power of that
acquainted with nothing more; and, after calm  clear eye, and confusedly stama short additional imprisonment, he was mered out, "Jerviswood, I own what you
permitted to leave the kingdom and retire say; my thoughts there were as a prito Holland, where he remained till the vate man; but what I say here is by spetime of the Revolution.*             cial direction of the privy council," and
The tiial of Baillie of Jerviswood pointing to the clerk, added,' he knows
came next, and demands attention, as pe- my orders."  "Well," replied Jervisculiarly atrocious. Baillie was a man of wood, " if you have one conscience for
great natural abilities, soundness of judg- yourself and another for the council, I
ment, and high integrity and blameless- pray God forgive you, I do;"-then turnness of character. He was now consid- ingtothejustice-general, he said, "my lord,
erably advanced in years, and his consti- I trouble your lordship no farther." But
tution greatly broken and enfeebled by neither the dignity of truth nor the pasufferings and imprisonment; yet his thetic language of innocence could move
life, evidently drawing near its close, the cruel conclave. He was pronounced
was sought by his enemies, because they guilty, and condemned to die the same
were aware of the high estimation in day, his head to be cut off, his body
which he was held by the Presbyterians, quartered, and the mutilated parts to be
whose proceedings and plans might be affixed upon conspicuous places in the
comparatively paralyzed by the loss of chief towns in the kingdom. When this
such a man.    The main accusation barbarous sentence was intimated to him,
against Jerviswood had reference to the he answered, " My lords, the time is
conspiracy of the English patriots, Rus- short-the sentence is sharp; but I thank
sell and Sidney, but there was a misera- my God, who hath made me as fit to die
ble deficiency of evidence to substantiate as you are to live."  The brief interval
the charge. Every attempt was made by between the sentence and its execution
the " bloody Mackenzie" to supplement was to him one of joy unspeakable and
this deficiency; even the confession of full of glory. His bodily weakness and
Carstares was brought forward as corrob- sufferings were unfelt, in the anticipation
orative evidence, contrary to the express of the glory, honour, and immortality
stipulations into which the council en- of that heavenly inheritance into which
tered with Carstares himself. Baillie was he was about to enter. The hour came.
manifestly dying, but this only stimulated His devoted sister-in-law, Warriston's
the council to hasten forward his trial, heroic daughter, supported his sinking
that they might enjoy the gratification of frame to the scaffold; stood with him
shaking rudely the ebbing sands of his there, while, leaning on her shoulder, he
life. When brought before the court, the attempted to address the deeply agitated
venerable man was wrapped in his dres- and sympathizing spectators; and left
sing-gown, as he had arisen from his him not till, after the drums of the milisick-bed, and attended by his sister-in- tary had drowned his voice, and the rude
law, daughter of the celebrated Warris- hand of the executioner had hurried on
ton, who supported him from  time to the final deed, she beheld his earthly suftime with cordials during the course of ferings closed, withdrawing then from a
the trial. Mackenzie pressed the charges place where she had undergone what
against him with the most malignant bit- may well be termed a martyrdom of the
terness of language. At last the vener- heart:*
able man slowly rose, defended himself  When such was the treatment of men
against the articles of the accusation, so- of considerable rank, it may well be
lemnly declared his detestation of all supposed that those in humble life would
plots against the lives of his majesty and be subjected to injustice still more glarhis royal brother; then fixing his eyes ing, and cruelties still more intense.
on Mackenzie, asked how he could in Such was indeed the case. The circuit
public so violently accuse him of what in courts which had been appointed to be
private he had declared he did not be- held in the districts most noted for the at' Dr M'Cormack's Life of Carstares, pp. 17-22.  * Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 104.112.




A D. 1684.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    273
tachment of the people to Presbyterian pendicularly to the bottom of a narrow
principles, executed their dreadful corn- glen, along which a mountain-stream
mission with unprecedented barbarity. toils, foaming through the shattered rocks
To be accused was almost always the that block its rugged channel. Nothing
sure forerunner of to be condemned. To of vegetation is to be seen but a few loose
hesitate or refise to take the test was tufts of wiry grass whistling in the
ground enough for the exaction of ruin- wind, striving ineffectually to bind toous fines from those who possessed any gether the sharp slaty splinters which
property, or for death to those who had cover the vast bulk of the barren mounnone. The curates were not only encour- tain, so that it is impossible to recover
aged, but further enjoined, to ply their the footing once lost on that pass of fear.
dreadful and degrading trade of spies As the soldiers were slowly winding up
and informers. Other spies of a still viler that tremendous path, they were suddencast were employed to pretend to be Cov- ly hailed by a voice from the misty hillenanters, to frequent the company of the side above them, calling on them to stop
persecuted wanderers, to discover their and deliver up their minister and the
retreats, and then to give such informa- other prisoners. The officer in command
tion as might lead to their surprise and refused with a loud oath.  He was imseizure.  Renwick continued to preach mediately shot through the head, and fell
in the fields in spite of the rage of the from his horse, which, startling back,
persecutors; and, notwithstanding the staggered over the precipice, rolling and
keenness with which he and his follow- bounding with increased velocity till it
ers were hunted from place to place, he descended in a mangled indistinguishastill escaped from their toils, and held ble mass into the rocky bed of the raaloft, as he had vowed to do, the banner ving torrent.  The rest of the soldiers
of the Covenant.                      stood petrified with horror at this appalAbout this time an incident occurred ling catastrophe, feeling that their own
which tended greatly to increase the fury lives were completely at the mercy of
of the persecutors.  There had been a the men posted above them on the hill.
meeting of the Covenanters in the neigh- But these men were not revengeful.
bourhood of Drumlanrig, where the sol- They wished not to spill the blood of
diers found these resolute men too nu- their enemies, if they could otherwise
merous to be safely attacked. But when rescue their friends.  Again they dethey dispersed, the soldiers scoured the manded the minister and the other priscountry in the neighbourhood of the oners; and the officer second in cornplace of meeting, and intercepted eight mand, aware that resistance was in vain,
or nine of the stragglers, among whom  consented to yield them up, saying to the
was the minister. When the Covenant- minister, " Go, sir; you owe your life
ers learned that the minister had been to this damned mountain."    Rather,
seized, they hastily mustered in small Sir," said the minister, "to that God who
parties, each speeding to some advanta- made this mountain."*
geous spot to attempt a rescue.  The sol-  When the intelligence of this rescue
diers took the most direct route to Edin- reached Edinburgh, the rage of the counburgh, and marched up Enterkin pass cil was unbounded.    Furious proclamawith their prisoners.  This was immedi- tions were issued, and strong detachments
ately observed by the countrymen, who of troops sent to traverse the adjacent
swiftly scaled the mountain side, and country, and apprehend all who were
placed themselves in a commanding posi- suspected of having been in any respect
tion before the approach of the dragoons. implicated in the deed. Nor were they
A more suitable position for such an en- long without finding victims on which to
terprise could not be desired.  The road inflict their vengeance.  Three men were
is cut out of the steep side of a sheer found asleep in the fields, fired upon, and
precipitous mountain, not broader than  Memoirs of the Church of Scotland, by De Foe, pp..
to admit of two horses abreast, exceed- 188-193; Wodrow, vol. iv. p. 173. Wodrow's account
ingly steep on the upper side, unguarded differ somewhat from that given by De Foe, but thelatter is here mainly followed, as, from having person,
by wall or bank on the under, from    ally explored the pass, and gleaned the traditionary
*  accounts still current in the district, the author is sat,
which the mountain descends almost per- isfied of its accuracy.
35




274             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTILAND.             [CIAP. VII.
wounded by the soldiers where they lay, act. This formidable warning they gave
then seized, hurried to Edinburgh, and to their relentless persecutors, by publishput to death the very day on.which they ing what they termed " the apologetic dereached the capital, without the shadow claration and admonitory vindication of
of a proof that they were concerned in the the true Presbyterians of the Church of
rescue at Enterkin path. But this did not Scotland, especially against intelligencers
satiate their thirst of revenge. The whole and informers."  This very remarkable
district was laid under military law, and paper bears to have been drawn up on the
unparalleled atrocities were perpetrated 28th of October, and was to be affixed on
by the licentious and infuriated soldiery. the market-crosses of the chief towns in
The people were hunted from their homes Scotland, on the 8th of November, which
and shot to death in the fields without was accordingly done. It is of such immercy; their houses were pillaged, and portance, that an extract must be given.
then reduced frequently to ashes, the   This " apologetical declaration" begins
women and children being abused, and by narrating the course of persecution
then left to houseless misery and starva- which had impelled the sufferers to distion.  Three women were seized, and own the authority of the tyrannical sovewith difficulty escaped banishment, for reign and government under whose cruel
lending assistance in her hour of travail sway they were so mercilessly wasted; it
to the wife of one who was suspected to then declares that they " utterly detest
have been at the rescue. Desolation cov- and abhor that hellish principle of killing
ered the country wheresoever the fierce all who differ in judgment and persuasion
exterminators directed their ruthless rav- from us, it having no bottom upon the
ages.                                 Word of God, or right reason; and
But while peculiar districts were thus after stating the incessant danger in which
exposed to excessive devastation, in con- they lived, the hardships to which they
sequence of peculiar events, the concen- were exposed, and the cruel deaths intrated malice of the persecutors was flicted on their friends, through the instrudirected incessantly against the unyield- mentality of spies, informers, and the
ing remnant of true Covenanters.  They remorseless soldiery, this document prowere hunted like beasts of prey from moss ceeds in the following strain:to mountain, from cliff to cavern. In vain  " We do hereby delare unto all, that
did they make their beds in the dark whosoever stretch   forth their  hands
heaths, beneath the canopy of heaven, or against us while we are maintaining the
in natural caves in the rocky glens, or in cause and interest of Christ against his
artificial lurking-places among the shaggy enemies, in defence of the Covenanted
thickets.  No retreat was sufficiently Reformation, all and every one of such
wild and secret to secure them from the shall be reputed by us enemies to God
keen eye of the prowling informer, and and the covenanted work of reformation,
the relentless pursuit of their vindictive and punished as such, according to our
enemies. Thus driven from the haunts power and the degree of their offence,
of men, outlawed, given up to pitiless chiefly if they shall continue, after the
butchery it would have been strange in- publication of this our declaration, obstideed if they had not, like a stag at bay, nately and habitually with malice to proturned on their pursuers, and compelled ceed against us, any of the aforesaid ways.
them to know that there were extremities Now, let not any think that (our God asof persecution which human nature would sisting us) we will be so slack-handed in
not endure. At length, after their pa- time coming to put matters in execution,
tience and Christian resignation had been as heretofore we have been, seeing we
tried to the extremest pitch, they did come are bound faithfully and valiantly to
to the determination of warning their ene- maintain our Covenants and the cause of
mies not to press further upon that peril- Christ. Therefore, let all these aforesaid
ous boundary, the crossing of which persons be admonished of their hazard;
might make the great law of self-preser- and particularly all ye intelligencers, who
vation the sole rule of duty, and when by your voluntary informations endeastern retaliation might become the only vour to render us up into the enemies'
method by which that great law could hands, that our blood may be shed; for




A D. 1684.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  275
by such courses ye both endanger your from the possible encounter with men
immortal souls, if repentance prevent not, rendered desperate by the deep sense
seeing God will make inquisition for of intolerable oppression, who knew no
shedding the precious blood of his saints, falsehood and who felt no fear, and for
and also your bodies, seeing you render whom to act was easier than to threaten.
yourselves actually and maliciously guilty They dared not, therefore, follow the perof our blood, whose innocency the Lord secuted remnant to their desolate retreats,
knoweth. However, we are sorry at our as formerly; and, consequently, some
very hearts that any of you should choose diminution took place in the deadly accusuch courses, either with bloody Doeg to racy with which the military executionshed our blood, or with the flattering ers had previously been guided to the
Ziphites, to inform persecutors where we haunts of their victims. But the rage of
are to be found. So we say again, we the council was stimulated beyond all
desire you to take warning of the hazard former precedent: and failing somewhat
that ye incur, by following such courses; in their comparatively private methods of
for the sinless necessity of self-preserva- destruction, they resolved to wield all
tion, accompanied with holy zeal for their public weapons with more terrific
Christ's reigning in our land, and sup- energy thqn they had ever yet put forth.
pressing of profanity, will move us not to An act of the privy council was passed
let you pass unpunished. Call to your on the 22d of November, well designated
remembrance, all that is in peril is not "the bloody act," ordaining " every perlost, and all that is delayed is not for- son who owns, or does not disown, the
given.  Therefore, expect to be dealt late traitorous declaration, upon oath,
with as ye deal with us, so far as our whether he have arms or not, to be impower can reach, not because we are mediately put to death, before two witactuated by a sinful spirit of revenge, for nesses, and the person or persons having
private and personal injuries, but mainly commission from the council to that efbecause by our fall reformation suffers feet."  And that this " bloody act'' might
damage."*                            not remain inoperative for want of comIt is, we think, impossible to peruse missions, these were given to several nothis remarkable document without strong blemen, gentlemen, and military officers,
emotions of mingled sorrow, regret, and empowering and requiring them " to conadmiration;-sorrow, to contemplate the vocate all the inhabitants (in certain parsufferings which such men had been com- ishes named), men and women, above
pelled so long to endure; regret, that fourteen years of age; and if any own
these sufferings had driven them to the the late declaration, you shall execute
use of language, if not the adoption of them  by military execution upon the
sentiments, which might be perverted place; and if any be absent, ye shall burn
into something like a sanction of sum- their houses and seize their goods, &c.
mary retaliation and lawless bloodshed, And as to the families of such as you connotwithstanding  the  earnestness with demn or execute, you shall make prisonwhich they disclaimed such principles; ers of all persons in their families above
and admiration of the invincible courage the age of twelve years, in order to transand perseverance which they displayed in portation,"  An oath, termed the "abjuthe defence of civil and religious liberty, ration oath," was also framed, according to
and in the maintenance of the fundamen- which every prson was called upon " to
tal principle of the Presbyterian Church abjure and renounce, by solemn oath, the
of Scotland,-the sole sovereignty of the late traitorous apologetical declaration;"
Lord Jesus Christ over his spiritual king- and a proclamation was at the same time
dom, the Church.                     issued, " prohibiting all past the age of
The effects resulting fiom this declara- sixteen years to presume to travel without
tion were varied. To a certain extent it certificates of their loyalty and good prinaccomplished the intended object. The ciples, by taking the oath of abjuration;
informers, both curates and their base with certification, that all who shall ademissaries, were appalled, and shrunk venture to travel without such certificate,
which is to serve for a free pass, shall be
Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 148, 149; Informatory Vindi- holden and used as connivers with the
estion, pp. 255.25.a




276             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
said rebels."*  The indulgence was also a sentence of condemnation upon the
recalled, and all the indulged ministers assassins, which they were not entitled to
were obliged to give bond not to exercise pronounce, nor their enemies to require.
any part of their ministry in Scotland.  Neither did they feel at liberty to call the
The dread machinery of extermination rising at Bothwell Bridge rebellion, as
seemed now complete.   The preaching they considered it essentially an act of
of the gospel by any Presbyterian minis- self-defence, and therefore justifiable. The
ter was entirely prohibited, on the penal- test and the abjuration they regarded as
ties of imprisonment, exile, or death. The not only illegal and ensnaring oaths, but
power of enforcing contradictory oaths, as positively sinful, containing false prinsuch as the test, and judicial oaths, such ciples, and involving the subjugation of
as that of abjuration, was given to lawless Christianity to the arbitrary will of a permilitary commissions, extended even to jured, licentious, and Popish tyrant.  It
common troopers and private sentinels, was not strange, therefore, that when the
with authority to inflict instant death on rude soldiers put these questions to the
all who should refuse or hesitate thus people, they generally received such anto violate their conscience.  No man swers as put it in their power to inflict inmight journey from tne part of the coun- stant death upon the faithful Presbyterians,
try to another, however urgent the call of or such hideous tortures as might be
duty or of business, without a pass from  prompted by the wild caprice of their
these armed legislators; and many were savage natures.
shot dead by the soldiers, without taking  [1684.] As the year 1684 closed with
the trouble to inquire whether they had the framing of the "bloody acts" already
obtained the pass, that paper being found specified, so 1685 began by their being
in their possession by the murderers when put into relentless execution. Several prithey were pillaging the dead bodies. soners had been seized about the close of
And as the speeches, testimonies, and de- the preceding year, and instantly sacriclarations of the persecuted party had ficed, even before the passing of the new
made their principles familiar to their persecuting enactments. The new year
enemies, the latter contrived to frame a was begun in the same spirit, and with
few leading questions to be put by the fuller powers of vengeance.  About the
military inquisitors; the refusal to answer middle of January, two men were hanged
which was to be held as a sufficient proof at Edinburgh for not disowning the late
of guilt, entitling the banditti to inflict declaration; on the same day six men
torture or death upon their victims at their were shot in Galloway, because they
pleasure. These questions were gener- were detected by the military in the act
ally the following:-" Will you renounce of prayer. Another man, sick of a fever,
the Covenant?"-" Will you pray for the not giving satisfactory answers to the inking?"- " Was the killing of the Arch- terrogations put to him, was dragged
bishop of St. Andrews murder?"-" Was from his bed, and murdered at his own
the rising at Bothwell Bridge rebellion?" door. Other two seemed willing to take
-" Will you take the test? "-" Will the abjuration oath, but being told by the
you abjure the late treasonable declara- military judge that they must take the test
tion?"  The effect of such questions may also, refused, and were put to death on
very easily be imagined.  Many thou- the spot, the monster exultingly exclaimsands would have cheerfully lost their ing, "they thought to have cheated the
lives rather than have renounced the judges, but I have cheated them."   In
Covenants.  To pray for the king, as a some places the whole inhabitants of a
sinful human being, they were quite village or a parish were called together,
willing, but not as thereby acknowledg-. and commanded to take the test and the
ing his right to exercise a sinful suprem- abjuration oath, without distinction of age
acy in matters spiritual, and an arbitrary or sex, surrounded by the troops, with
despotism in civil affairs. They regarded loaded muskets and drawn swords, prethe question respecting the death of Sharp pared to revel in their blood if they should
as an illegal attempt to extort from them  hesitate.*
A slight pause in these dreadful butch*Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 155,156,161,164; Life of Ren.
wick, p. 78                                        Wodrow, vol. iv.




A. D. 1685.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                       277
eries took place upon the death of Charles ly Prelatic parliament, did space permit,
II., which happened on the 6th day of as its slavish spirit, and the gross flatFebruary.   The cause of his death is teries in which its leading members ingenerally stated to have been apoplexy; dulged, present a startling contrast to the
but there are very strong reasons to sus- conduct and language of the purely Prespect that he was poisoned.*  It is not byterian parliament of 1649.  A few of
necessary to offer any remarks upon the the leading acts of this parliament must
character of a monarch whose whole life be mentioned. By one of them it was
was a tissue of private crime and public declared, " That the giving or taking the
perfidy and dishonour. " His ambition," National Covenant or the Solemn League
says Fox, " was directed against his sub- and Covenant, or writing in defence
jects; unprincipled, ungrateful, mean, thereof, or owning them   as lawful or
and treacherous, to which may be added, obligatory upon themselves or others,
vindictive and  remorseless.  I doubt shall infer the crime and pains oftreawhether a single instance can be pro- son."   Another converted all the illegal
duced of his having spared the life of any and oppressive acts of council into statute
one whom motives of policy or revenge law. A third declared the giving of supprompted him to destroy."              plies, or the concealing of supplies given
Intelligence of the death of Charles to or demanded for traitors, to be treason,
was speedily forwarded to Scotland, and and to be judged accordingly. By other
the Duke of York was immediately pro- acts it was ordained, that the punishment
claimed king in such terms as must have of death should be extended to hearers as
satisfied the most absolute despot, he be- well as preachers at conventicles; that
ing declared "our only righteous king the worshipping of God, in a private
and sovereign, over all persons, and in house, if five individuals more than the
all causes, as holding his imperial crown members of the family were present, was
from God alone." The Scottish council, treason; and that the test should be imwith perfect consistency, held it unneces- posed upon all heritors, life-renters, and
sary for James to take the coronation tacksmen, Papists alone excepted. And,
oath, for they had already recognised the to complete their proofs of superlative
will of the sovereign as the source of all loyalty, this prelate parliament passed
law, civil and sacred; and to have re- acts of attainder against several Presbyquired from their monarch an oath that terian noblemen and gentlemen, annexhe would govern according to his own ing their forfeited estates to the crown.*
will, would have been a mockery indeed.   This obsequious parliament had not
Yet this omission left room    for the yet quite finished its labours, when intelstatement of an important principle within ligence arrived, that a double invasion of
the course of a few years, furnishing an- the kingdom was on the point of taking
other instance of the truth, that lawless place, conducted in England by the Duke
deeds ultimately destroy their perpetra- of Monmouth, and in Scotland by the
tor. All public functionaries were con- Earl of Argyle, "for the purpose of retinued in their offices; and the military covering the religion, rights, and liberties
commission courts, which had been insti- of the kingdom  from the usurpation of
tuted for the destruction of the Presbyte- James Duke of York, and a popish
rians, were renewed, and even extended. faction."  It belongs to the province of
A  meeting of parliament had been the civil historian to narrate events of a
called by the late king, to have com- character so much more civil than ecclemenced its sittings in March; but it was siastical as must needs be an attempt like
summoned anew by James, and met on that of Monmouth and Argyle.       For it is
the 28th of April. Queensberry was
appointed commissioner; and as the test'Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 266-282. It may be stated, as a
proof that this parliament had some perception of the
was in full operation, every person con- dangerous tendency of their proceedings, that they
scientiously attached to the Presbyterian pased atn act by which lands might be entailed to perpetuity. They were bent on the utter rnin of all PresChurch was necessarily excluded. It byterian families; but thought, by this measure, to secure their own ill-got gains fiom similar ruin, should a
would be instructive to dwell somewhat change of administration take place. For the law of
minutely on the proceedings of this pure- entail, with all the obstacles which it presents to the
inutelyD o eprogress of society, Scotland has that Prelatic parlia.' Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. pp. 606-610.  ment to blame.




278             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CIIAP. VII.
perfectly plain, even from the language rane, who directed Earlshall to Airdsmoss
of Argyle's declaration, that the main ob- where Cameron was killed: nor had
ject of his enterprise was to redress the they forgot that Argyle himself had
civil wrongs and grievances of the nation. given his vote for the putting of Cargill
EIe did not, certainly, and he could not, to death: and on these grounds they held
omit the statement of those persecutions it right to avoid the hazard, and, it might
on account of religion under which the be, the sin of entering into a close anlination had so long groaned and bled; ance with men whom they still regarded
but still it was manifest, that both he and with distrust, both on account of their
the greater part of those who joined with principles and their previous conduct.
him were more intent upon the restora- Even had they been willing to join with
tion of the civil than of the religious lib- Argyle, they had not the opportunity of
erties of the kingdom. The fate of the doing so. The country between him and
enterprise may be very briefly told.  where they chiefly resorted was comBefore leaving Holland, symptoms of pletely in the possession of the enemy;
dissension had appeared among the lead- and they were not sufficiently numerous
ers of the expedition. Argyle was its to have forced their way openly through
natural leader, as the man of the highest the opposing troops.  Their standing
rank and greatest personal influence in aloof, which was chiefly caused by their
Scotland; but he appears to have been adherence to their own high principles,
deficient in military talents, and in that had the effect of preserving them from a
high energy and decision of character so portion of the ruin produced by Argyle's
necessary in the leader of a dangerous failure; and their junction with him, had
enterprise. All their councils partook of it been practicable, could not have given
the same indecision, nq one man of the such an accession of strength as to have
party possessing that degree of genius ensured his success.  Their conduct,
which would have given him unques- therefore, need not be either censured or
tioned ascendency over the rest. The deplored; and were we disposed to enter
first attempt was made in the Highlands, into a more minute investigation of the
but with little success. They then moved subject, it might be shown to have been
to the Lowlands,-met forces greatly su- not undeserving of the meed of approbaperior in numbers,-avoided a general tion, both for soundness of principle and
engagement,-began to be dispirited, and for consistency.
to melt away,-divided, a very few con-  Argyle, after his capture, was conducttinuing with Argyle till he was taken, a ed to Edinburgh, and imprisoned in the
large party following Sir John Cochrane, castle. His trial was short, yet strange.
-till, after having crossed the Clyde, and Instead of being condemned for his invabeen engaged in a sharp skirmish at sion of the kingdom, and attempt to deMuirdykes, near Lochwinnoch, where throne the sovereign, he was sentenced
they beat back their assailants, they sep- to death on the ground of his former rearated, every man seeking his personal fusal to take the test without a qualificasafety by flight.*                  tion. There was a pertinacious consisSo ended this unfortunate attempt. tency of despotism in this determination
The persecuted Covenanters, or Came- to abide by a previous unjust and tyrannironians as they are often called, declined cal sentence; but it shocked the public
uniting with Argyle, on the ground chief- mind much more than condemnation on
ly that the declaration of that nobleman the ground of his recent attempt could
did not sufficiently assert the essential have done, and in that view his death was
principles in behalf of which they were in all probability much more serviceable
willing to suffer and to die; that it made to the cause of liberty than his life could
no direct mention of the Covenants, nor have been. The interval between the
of Presbyterian Church government; passing of the sentence and its execution
and that some of the leaders had been im- was brief; but it was spent by Argyle in
plicated in the persecuting measures of such a manner as to raise his character
the prelatists, and such as Sir John Coch- in the estimation of all men to a degree
immeasurably beyond what it had preWodrow, vol. iv. pp. 282-320; Memoirs of Veitchviously reached. He acknowledged his
and Bryison, rp. 305-340.            viously reached.  e acknowledged his




A. D. 1685.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   279
former sinful compliances with the guilty brief continuous narrative of the sufferdeeds of the council, in language of deep ings of the persecuted Presbyterians.
contrition, admitting his own unworthi- The pause occasioned by the death of
ness to be the instrument of deliverance to one sovereign and the accession of anohis suffering country; his personal piety ther was of brief duration; and the miliwas displayed signally in that calm and tary judges resumed their murderous
profound peace of mind which the prospect career with increased eagerness, making
of an ignominious death could not for a the whole south and west of Scotland one
moment ruffle, and which breathed no scene of indiscriminate carnage. Claverword of reproach against his revengeful house had been elevated to the dignity
enemies; and, though his own enterprise of a privy councillor, and Dumfriesshire
had failed, he expressed the utmost con- and Galloway were assigned to him as his
fidence in the near and complete deliver- peculiar domain. To Grierson of Lagg,
ance of his beloved native land from ty- and Windram, were given districts of the
ranny and oppression. On the scaffold he latter county, over which they might
was attended by two ministers-one ap- spread devastation at will; while Claverpointed by the council, Annand, dean of house himself, like a superior fiend, traEdinburgh, and the other one of his own versed the whole province, cheering on
choice, Chartris. who had been laid aside the red exterminators, a bloodier and
for refusing to take the test; but no Pres- fiercer glare of destruction marking the
byterian minister was allowed to be with spot where he was present, or the path
him. When, after his speech, he declar- along which he had swept. The emed that he forgave all men their wrongs ployment of spies, who could assume the
against him, as he desired to be forgiven appearance and imitate the language and
of God, Annand repeated these words, manners of the wandering Covenanters,
adding, "this nobleman dies a Protes- was one of the favourite methods pursued
tant;" upon which Argyle, stepping for- by Claverhouse, that by their information
ward, added emphatically, " I die not he might trace the persecuted men to
only a Protestant, but with a heart-hatred their most sacred lurking-places.  At
of Popery, Prelacy, and all superstition times, marking out a district, and musterwhatsoever."  Then, kneeling down, he ing a sufficient force, he would drive all
embraced the instrument of execution, the inhabitants into one spot, gird them
prayed earnestly, gave the signal, and round with the armed soldiery, and comjoined his martyred father.*  Thus died pel them to swear allegiance to James,
the Earl of Argyle, on the 30th day of and to take the test and the oath of abjuJune 1685, another noble martyr in the ration, instant death being the penalty of
great and sacred cause of Scottish civil refusal or hesitation. At other times he
and religious liberty,               would collect all the children from six to
Several other victims of less note, but ten years of age, draw up a line of solnot less excellence of character, speedily diers before them, and order them to pray,
followed Argyle. Rumbold, an English for the hour of death was come; then,
officer, who had served under Cromwell, while in the agony of mortal terror, would
was executed in the same barbarous man- offer them their lives if they would disner as Rathillet had been. The Rev. cover where their friends, their fathers,
Thomas Archer, a young minister of or.their elder brothers were concealed,
great promise, who had been severely causing occasionally the troops to fire
wounded in the skirmish at Muirdykes, over their heads, to increase their fear
was hanged. Gavin Russel and David and stimulate their discoveries. Nor did
Law died by a similar sentence; and up- he hesitate to stain his own hands with
wards of twenty of Argyle's own clan the blood of guiltless victims, rather than
were hanged at Inverness, while great they should escape, when the troops
numbers were banished to the plantations. showed signs of reluctance. Of this the
The preceding public events have death of John Brown of Priesthill is a
been related in a consecutive order, for fearful instance.
the sake of perspicuity; and for the   John Brown lived at a place called
same reason we must now      give a Priesthill, in the parish of Muirkirk, and
wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 300.307.  earned his subsistence by the humble




280             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
employment of a carrier.  He was a new-made widow, in a voice of fiend-like
man of deep personal piety, but had not mockery, said, " What thinkest thou of
joined in any acts of open resistance to thy husband now, woman?"  I ever
the government.   He was, however, thought much good of him," she answerhated by the curate, because of his sin- ed, " and as much now as ever."  " I
cere attachment to Presbyterian princi were but justice to lay thee beside'him,"
pies, his refusal to attend upon that worth- exclaimed the murderer. " If you were
less man's degraded ministry, and the permitted," replied she, " I doubt not but
shelter which his solitary abode occasion- your cruelty would go that length; but
ally furnished to the persecuted wanderers how will you answer for this morning's
and their ministers. Of this information work?"  "To man I can be answerhad been given to Claverhouse, who im- able," said the ruthless persecutor; "and
mediately determined on his death. On as for God I will take him in my own
the morning of the ist of May, day hav- hand!" and wheeling about, rode off at the
ing scarcely dawned, Brown, while at head of his horror-stricken troop. The
work in the fields, was surprised by a poor woman laid down her fatherless introop of dragoons, led by Claverhouse fant on the ground, gathered together the
himself  He was brought back to his scattered brains of her beloved husband,
own house, and there the usual ensnaring then taking the kerchief fiom her neck
questions were put to him, the brief exami- and bosom, wound it about his mangled
nation closing by Claverhouse saying to head, straighted his stiffening body, covhim,' Go to your prayers, for you shall ered it with her plaid, and sat down and
immediately die."  Calmly the martyr wept over him, with one infant on her
kneeled down upon the heath, and poured knee, and the other again clasped closely
forth the emotions of his heart in a strain to her desolate heart. Not a friend or a
of such fervent and lofty devotion as to neighbour was near in the dismal solimove the rude and hardened soldiery, if tude of that dark hour, to aid her in pernot to tears of repentance, at least to forming the last sad duties of humanity,
strong, though transient remorse. Thrice "it being a very desert place, where
was he interrupted by the relentless Cla- never victual grew;" but she was not
verhouse, who exclaimed that " he had alone, for her soul felt the strong support
given him time to pray, but not to preach." of her very present God.*
Turning to the merciless man, he an-   From  the murder of John Brown,
swered, " Sir, you know neither the na- Claverhouse proceeded to the county of
ture of preaching nor of praying, if you Dumfries, where another victim fell into
call this preaching," and continued his his hands, and was dragged to the house
devotions, untroubled, unconfused. When of Johnstone of Westerraw or Westerhe stopped, Claverhouse bade him take hall. This man, Andrew Hislop, Clafarewell of his wtfe and children. Turn- verhouse would have spared-his mind,
ing to the afflicted woman, who was as he himself afterwards acknowledged,
standing beside him, with one infant in not being able to shake off the deep imher arms and another clinging to her pression which John Brown's prayer had
knee, he said, "; Now, Isabel, the day is made; but Johnstone insisted on his death,
come that I told you would come, when and orders were given to a Highland offiI first spoke to you of m'rriage."  "In- cer who was with the party to shoot the
deed, John," replied she," 1t an willingly man. He refused, and drew off his troop,
part with you."  " Then," said he, " that declaring that he would fight Claverhouse
is all I desire; I have no more to do but and his dragoons rather than do so bardie; I have been in case to meet death barous a deed. Claverhouse then comfor many years." After he had kissed his manded three of his own men to execute
wife and children, Claverhouse ordered the sentence, and this time they did not
six soldiers to fire. They hesitated; the refuse. Placing the innocent man before
prayers of the martyr were still sounding them, they desired him to draw his bonin their souls; they positively refused. net over his eyes. Raising it higher on
Enraged at their delay and refusal, Cla- his dauntless brow, and stretching out his
verhouse with his own hand shot him
through the head; then turning to t1ihe *V Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 244, 245; Life of Peden, pp.
through the head; then turning to the 72.74.




A. D. 1685.l    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  281
hand, in which he held his Bible, he re- of the sentence were, that they should be
plied, that he could look his death-bringers tied to stakes fixed within the flood-mark
in the face without fear, charging them  in the water of Blednock, where it meets
to answer for what they had done, and the sea, and there be drowned by the tide.
were about to do, at the great day, when From this dreadful doom the entreaties
they should be judged by that book-  of the distracted father prevailed so far
and so fell a dreadless martyr for the as to rescue the innocent girl of thirteen,
truth *                             yet only by the payment of one hundred
On the same day in which Hislop was pounds sterling to the merciless and merthus murdered, the 11th of May, a still cenary murderers.  But nothing could
more hideous crime was committed near avail to save the lives of the young woWigton, in Upper Galloway. Gilbert man and her widowed friend.
Wilson occupied a farm belonging to the  The day of execution came, the lth
laird of Castlestewart, in the parish of of May, bright, it may be, with the fresh
Penningham. He and his wife had both smiles of the reviving year, but dark and
yielded to the acts enforcing conformity terrible to many a sympathizing heart.
to Prelacy; but his children had im- Windram and his troop guarded the vicbibed higher principles, and refused to tims to the place of doom, accompanied
conform.  At length they were con- by a crowd of people, filled with fear and
pelled to quit their father's house and wonder, and still doubting whether yet
join the persecuted wanderers, that they the horrid deed would be done. The
might avoid falling into the hands of the stakes were driven deep into the oozy
soldiers. Margaret Wilson, aged about sand. That to which the aged widow
eighteen, her brother Thomas, aged six- was tied was placed farthest in, that she
teen, and their sister Agnes, aged only might perish first.  The tide began to
thirteen, were all thus compelled to seek flow,-the water rose around them,-the
refuge in the wild moors of Upper Gal- hoarse rough billows came advancing
loway; and by the dreadful intercom- on, swelling and mounting inch by inch,
muning act, their parents were forbid to over limb, and breast, and neck, and lip,
give them food or shelter, under the pen-. of the pious and venerable matron, while
alty attached to treason. In the slight her young companions in martyrdom,
pause of persecution which took place at still in shallower water, gazed on the awthe death of Charles, the two sisters ven- ful scene, and knew that in a few minutes
tured to quit the desert solitudes, and to more her sufferings would be the same.
come to Wigton, where they resided a At this dreadful moment some heartless
short time in the house of an aged and ruffian asked Margaret Wilson what she
pious widow, named Margaret M'Lauch- thonght now of her fellow-martyr in her
lan. A base wretch, named Stuart, gave dying agonies? Calmly she answered,
information against them, and they were " What do I see but Christ, in one of his
all three dragged to prison. After they members, wrestling there? Think you
had lain there for some weeks, and had that we are the sufferers?  No, it is
suffered much inhuman treatment, they Christ in us; for he sends none a warwere brought to trial before Lagg and fare on their own charges."  But the
Major Windram, who commanded the water now began to swell cold and deadly
military force in that district. As if to round and over her own bosom; and,
stretch this mockery of justice to the ut- that her last breath might be expended in
most extreme at once of cruelty and of the worship of God, she sung the 25th
intense absurdity, these three helpless wo- psalm, repeated a portion of the 8th chapmen were accused of rebellion at Both- ter of the Epistle to the Romans, and
well Bridge and Airdsmoss, and also of prayed till her voice was lost amid the
having been present at twenty conven- rising waves. Before life was quite exticles.  This accusation it was impos- tinct the torturers cut the cords that bound
sible to urge; but they were required her to the stake, dragged her out, waited
o take the abjuration oath, which all till she was restored to consciousness,
three  refused, and were accordingly and then asked her if she would pray for
condemned to die. The specific terms the king. She answered, " I wish the
Wodrow, vol. iv. p. 250.  salvation of all men, and the damnation
36




282             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
of none."  " Dear Margaret," exclaimed yielding to a sinful mortal that sole svone of the spectators, in accents of love premacy'and lordship over the conscience
and sorrow,' Say God save the king! which belongs to Him alone, and that
say God save the king!"    With the high and undivided sovereignty over His
steady composure of one for whom life Church, which is the inalienable preroghad few attractions and death no terrors, ative of the Mediator's crown.  These
she replied, " God save him, if he will, principles they held, and by these prinfor it is his salvation I desire."  Her ciples they triumphed over every foe; for
relatives and friends immediately cried thus were they enabled to do all things,
aloud to Windram, "Oh, Sir, she has and bear all things, "through Christ
said it, she has said it i"  The ruthless strengthening them," and to go forward
monster, reluctant thus to lose his victim, along their perilous and blood-dyed path
required her to answer the abjuration undismayed and invincible, strong in the
oath. In the same firm tone she an- Lord and in the power of His might."
swered, " I will not; I am one of Christ's  With the brief recital of one instance
children; let me go!" By his command more of the horrors of the " killing time,"
she was again plunged into the heaving we shall quit that dreadful period. When
waters, and, after a brief struggle, the the tidings of the Earl of Argyle's enterspirit of this virgin martyr entered into prise reached the council, orders were
the rest and peace of everlasting happi- immediately given to remove the prisoners
ness.*                               confined in Edinburgh, probably that
This and similar instances of heroic there might be room for the incarceration
Christian fortitude were termed by the of the new victims, on whom'they expersecutors, and will still be termed by pected speedily to lay their grasp. On
their apologists, instances of obstinate the 18th of May, these prisoners, both
fanaticism. And men who wish to be men and women, about two hundred and
regarded as peculiarly persons of en- forty in number, were collected together,
lightened minds and liberal sentiments, hurried to Leith, embarked in open boats,
will affect to pity the narrow and gloomy and conveyed in this manner to Burntbigotry, as they will term it, which im- island. There they were crammed into
pelled these Christian martyrs to encoun- two small rooms in the prison, incapable
ter death in every form the most terrific, of affording tolerable space for half the
rather than abandon the principles of number, and kept in that condition for
eternal truth. But the true Christian two days, without being permitted to taste
alone can comprehend by what sacred so much as bread and water. The oath
might it was that not only the strength of supremacy was then tendered to them.
of manhood, but the weakness of age, About forty accepted, and were sent back
womanhood, and infancy, was upheld to Edinburgh; the rest, refusing to acand enabled to triumph gloriously in the knowledge an avowed Papist to be the
midst of persecutions so fierce and bar- head of the Church, were prepared for
barous that the heart turns with sick and their northward journey. Their hands
shuddering horror from the bare recital. were tied together behind their backs,
Their hearts were filled with "the peace and in this helpless condition they were
of God which passeth all understanding," driven forward by the rude unfeeling solbeyond the power of human rage to dis- diers, who heaped upon them mockery
turb; their souls had obtained both an and abuse of every kind. The sufferings
earnest and foretaste of heaven, in that which they endured in their journey were
love of God and communion with him   so great that several died by the way,
which had been imparted to them by and many contracted diseases fiom which
" the spirit of adoption;" and feeling that they never recovered.  They reached
" the Son had made them free," they re- Dunnottar, the place of their destination,
cognised it as their bounden duty and on the 24th of May, and were immeditheir great privilege to defend the rights, ately thrust into a dark vault in the castle,
and liberties of Christ's spiritual kingdom, which had but one small window on the
willing to die rather than violate their side next the sea, was full of mire, ankle
allegiance to their Divine Redeemer, by deep, and was of such narrow dimensions
Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 247-249.  as to allow scarcely more than room to




A. D. 1685.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   283
stand upright. In this dreadful dungeon by the more dangerous movements of
they remained almost the whole summer, Argyle and his adherents. The Covecrowded together, men and women, in nanters, though they did not join Argyle,
one dense mass, without the slightest manifested their sympathy with his entermeans of preserving what decency re- prise by assisting in the escape of his
quires; compelled to purchase the worst scattered followers, notwithstanding the
provisions at the most extravagant prices, certainty that they were thereby increasso long as they had any money, even ing their own dangers, and provoking
water being refused without a heavy the rage of the victorious enemy. John
price. Not even the horrors of the Black Nisbet of Hardhill, who had been enHole of.Calcutta surpassed those of Dun- gaged in the insurrections both of Pentnottar Castle; for, in the former, the suf- land and of Bothwell Bridge, fell into the
ferings of the victims, if more intense, hands of the persecutors in November,
were of shorter duration, while the per- and accordingly sealed his testimony in
secuted Scottish Presbyterians died many the cause of true religion with his blood.
deaths in the lingering agonies of these  [1686.] The fires of persecution began
slow dreadful months. At length disease to grow fainter, and the sword was less
began to release them more quickly from  incessantly bathed in blood, during the
their miseries; and the governor's lady, year 1686; not, however, because the
having been induced to look into the rage of the persecutors had abated, but
hideous dungeon, was so shocked and partly because the exterminating process
appalled with the scene which met her had so far reduced the number of accessibrief gaze, that she prevailed upon her ble victims, that they could not now so
husband to remove the women to an easily lay hold on objects on whom to
apartment by themselves, and to put the exercise their barbarities.  Their promen into other places, where they might gress had been like that of Roman conat least breathe a less noisome and pesti- quest, characterised in such briefly and
lential air. But many died of the dis- terribly emphatic terms by the historian;
eases which they had already contracted, they had made a solitude,-they called it
and about the end of the year the wasted peace.
survivors were banished to the planta-  There was also another cause which
tions for slaves,-the men after having tended to abate the violence of the persetheir ears cut off, and the women branded cution.  The king appears to have
with hot irons on the face. Many died thought the state of the country now
on the passage; the remainder met with nearly ripe for that great change, to prohumane treatment and Christian pity from  duce which had been the main though
the American settlers, which their own unavowed cause of the greater part of
countrymen had denied them.*        the previous persecuting   enactments.
Although the Society People declined Both Charles and James knew well that
joining in Argyle's enterprise, yet they the Presbyterian  Church formed the
were no inattentive or careless spectators strongest obstacle to the restoration of
of its progress, and especially of the events Popery, and neither of them expected
which had directly led to it. The suc- Prelacy to offer any very determined or
cession of the Duke of York, an avowed protracted opposition to it. They therePapist, to the throne, they regarded with fore directed all their efforts against Presthe utmost abhorrence; and immediately bytery, confidently anticipating, that if it
published a full and able declaration were destroyed, they would easily induce
against it, and also against the legality Prelacy to accept what would be a corn
and validity of that servile parliament, parativelyslight change,from a hierarchy
which had been called by him whom    acknowledging the headship of the king,
they did not hesitate to term a usurper. to a hierarchy acknowledging the headBut this declaration, though even more ship of the pope. In this they erred; foi
pointed and argumentative than its pre- the Episcopalian Church, though preladecessors, did not so strongly attract the tic, was still truly Protestant.  Yet there
notice of the council, probably because was much probability in the error; for
their attention was for the time engrossed they had experienced so much subserwodrow, vol. iv. pp. 322328, 333.  viency from the prelates, that they were




284             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
led to conclude that they could command parliament since the Restoration had been
nothing with which the prelates would accustomed to use, they promised to take
not comply. Still it was thought expedi- the subject into their serious consideraent to cover the ulterior designs of the tion, and to go as great lengths therein
Popish monarch a little longer under as their consciences would allow, not
some plausible pretexts, and to remove a doubting that his majesty would be carefew more obstacles before the final at- ful to secure the Protestant religion.
tempt should'e made.                Baffled and disappointed, the commis
The first step towards restoring the sioner prorogued the parliament, which
Papists to power had been already made met no more during the reign of James.
by their exemption from taking the test,  The weight of the king's indignation
which was still urged upon Presbyterians. fell upon some of the prelates who had
The next was to repeal the penal statutes presumed to oppose his wish. The arch
against them, and the disabilities under bishop of Glasgow and the bishop of
which they were placed. For this pur- Dunkeld were deprived of their benefices.
pose a parliament was summoned to meet Paterson, who had been exceedingly ac
at Edinburgh on the 29th of April. tive in striving to promote the king's
When parliament met, the Earl of Mur- views, was made archbishop of Glasgow;
ray, his majesty's commissioner, produced and one Hamilton, "noted for profanea letter from the king, the most prominent ness and impiety, which sometimes broke
topic of which was, a glowing encomium  into blasphemy,"* was made bishop of
on the loyalty and peacefulness of his Dunkeld. But the greater part of these
Roman Catholic subjects; concluding servile and unprincipled men signed an
with recommending them to the care of address to his majesty, offering to concur
the parliament, that they " might not lie with him in all he desired, provided the
under obligations which their religion laws might still continue in force and be
could not admit of;" " by doing whereof executed against the Presbyterians.t
you will do us most acceptable service."  But the previous servility of the ScotIn vain did the commissioner employ all tish parliaments had put into his majesty's
his eloquence to enforce compliance with hand a weapon which he was resolved to
the suggestion of his majesty's letter. In wield against them. They had admitted
vain did several of the prelates argue his absolute supremacy in the strongest
strenuously for the complete toleration of possible terms, and he now employed this
Popery. A considerable proportion of absolute supremacy to accomplish what
the parliament saw. in such a toleration, the parliament had shrunk from doing.
the first step towards the complete ascen- On the 21st of August, a letter was addency of a religion from which they dressed to the council, from which he had
could expect nothing else but a persecu- previously expelled the best men, replaction as severe as that which they had em- ing them by sycophants, in which his
ployed against the Presbyterians; and, majesty gives them to know, that "it was
however willing to inflict injuries upon not any doubt he had of his power that
others, and to violate to the utmost of their made him bring his designs before the
power every conscientious principle or parliament, but merely to give them an
scruple entertained by the Church of opportunity of showing their duty to him;
Scotland, they were sufficiently reluctant that he now, according to his undoubted
to be exposed themselves to similar inju- right and prerogative, takes the Roman
ries. The recent events which had oc- Catholics under his royal protection, alcurred in France tended greatly to con- lowing to them the free exercise of their
firm this dread of Popery, where the religion, and giving to them the chapel
unjust revocation of the edict of Nantz of Holyrood-house for a place of public
exposed innumerable French Protestants worship, appointing chaplains and others,
to every kind of suffering. The public whom he recommended to special promind caught the alarm, both in England tection."  Thus had the Prelatic party
and Scotland, and this had no small in- prepared the way for the restoration of
fluence in preventing the Scottish parlia- Popery, by their yielding up all power
ment's compliance with the king's desire., j,  tot  * c,' Burnet's Own Times, vol. i. p. 681.  t Burnet's
In more guarded terms than any Scottish  wn Times, vol. i. p. 680.




A. D. 1687.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    285
and law to the absolute supremacy of the to yield to principle. Had they posssesmonarch, upon whose will, according to sed magnanimity enough to have admittheir own principles, must depend the re- ed that they had failed in the hour of
ligion of his subjects. And they could conflict, through human weakness, there
not, without the most glaring inconsis- is no reason to doubt that the high-hearted
tency, offer any resistance to the despotic and dauntless Covenanters would have
conduct of a sovereign whose will they ceased to stickle pertinaciously for less
had declared to be the fountain of law, important matters, and almost the entire
which no man was entitled to question or body of the Scottish Presbyterians might
resist. But the Presbyterians were still have been prepared to assume a more
the bold guardians of the nation's liber- commanding attitude at the Revolution,
ties, civil and sacred, and under their pro- such as would have secured a more comtection that inestimable charge was'safe. plete re-establishment of all their great
In the meantime, there were some principles than they actually obtained.
movements taking place among the        The celebrated Alexander Peden died
Presbyterians of considerable importance. early in this year, after a reconciliation
Several conferences were held between had been effected between him and Renthe persecuted followers of Renwick, and wick, from whom he had been for a time
that larger body who had partially sub- estranged. Renwick was joined by Mr.
mitted to the indulgences of former years, David  Houston  and Mr. Alexander
or remained silent and passive, while Shields, and field-preaching was contheir more daring brethren maintained an tinued, although the king, in the midst
open conflict.  The object of these con- of his zeal for toleration to the Papists,
ferences was to attempt a union among all issued a furious proclamation against
Presbyterians, both for mutual protection them, offering a large reward to any
and to be ready for any propitious mo- person who should seize Renwick, alive
ment in which to secure their common or dead.
rights and liberties.  But the desired  [1687.] Although theking had failed
union was found. impracticable.  The in obtaining from parliament that ready
larger body had unquestionably yielded submission to his wishes, which he had
a sinful compliance with much that was expected with regard to the legislative
directly subversive of Presbyterian prin- repeal ofthepenal statutes against Papists,
ciples; but their pride would not allow  he was by no means disposed to mention
them to acknowledge their errors. On his intention, but thought it expedient to
the other hand, the society people or adopt another mode of procedure. His
Cameronians, or, more   properly, the plan was now to quit the crimson robe
strict Covenanters, would not consent to of the fierce persecutor, and to assume
any union without a previous acknow- the garb of universal toleration.  Acledgment from their brethren that they cordingly, on the 12th of February 1687,
had indeed fallen into greivous and sin- a letter was sent to the council, accompaful defections. There were,besides, some nied by a proclamation, in which his
points of minor importance on which majesty,'"by his sovereign authority,
their disputes were equally warm, and prerogative royal, and absolute power,
with much less reason. The result was, which all his subjects are to obey withthat it was found impracticable to form a out reserve, did give and grant his royal
union of all Presbyterians, although it tcleration to the several professors of
was earnestly desired by the wisest and Christian religion." " In the first place,"
the best of both parties. When the sub- continues his majesty, "we allow and
ject is contemplated at this distance of tolerate the moderate* Presbyterians to
time, we may form a more dispassionate meet in their private houses, and there to
opinion on the conduct of both parties hear all such ministers as either have, or
than either of them could have done; are willing to accept of our indulgence,
and our opinion is, that decidedly the and none other." But all those who held
greatest amount of blame rests not on the or attended field-preachings were still
Covenanters, but on their brethren, who subjected to the utmost rigour of law.
had meanly and unfaithfully yielded far Then comes the main object of the pro
more to fear than now they were required'Is this the origin of that ill-omened designation.




286             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
clamation, in which, by his prerogative In this third indulgence, his majesty, in
and absolute power, his majesty at once his usual strain, "by his sovereign auabrogates and annuls all acts of parlia- thority, prerogative royal, and absolute
ment and laws against Roman Catholics, power," suspends all penal and sanguigives them the free and public exercise nary laws made against any for non-conof their worship, and renders them eligi- formity to the religion established by
ble to all places of public trust, abolishing law; granting to the Presbyterians
the test, and enacting a new oath, which " leave to meet and serve God after their
affirmed chiefly the entire supremacy and own way and manner, be it in private
absolute power and authority of the houses, chapels, or places purposely hired
sovereign.*                          or built for that use, so that they take
This, which was called King James's care that nothing be preached or taught
First Indulgence, gave satisfaction to no among them which may any ways tend
party but the Papists.  The Prelatists to alienate the hearts of our people from
were irritated and alarmed to see their us or our government."  It was, howown weapons wrested out of their hands, ever, expressly provided that they were
dreading that the power which they had not to meet in the open fields; and all
so long and relentlessly employed against the laws against field-preaching were
the Presbyterians might soon be put into left " in full force and vigour," on the
the hands of Papists, and directed against ground that, after this act of royal grace
themselves. The Presbyterians gener- and favour, there was not a shadow of
ally regarded it with suspicion and dis- excuse left for them.
trust, viewing it as not intended for their  His majesty had now declared himself
relief, but as a deceptive mode of restor- an advocate for liberty of conscience and
ing Popery; and the Covenanters not universal toleration. But few were demerely rejected it, but set its threa.3 at ceived by these hypocritical pretences.
defiance, and continued their field-preach- All true Protestants, whether Episcopaings as usual.                      lians, Presbyterians, or Dissenters, perOn the 31st of March a second indul- ceived clearly enough, that direct favour
gence was published, by which the coun- to the Papists was intended; and it was
cil were empowered to dispense with the not unfairly surmised that, by the univeroath, and to suffer Presbyterian ministers sal toleration, the king hoped to throw
to preach in private houses during his the various denominations of Protestants
majesty's pleasure. This was equally into such a state of rivalry and collision,
disregarded by the Presbyterians, with that they would weaken each other, and
this exception, that some of the ministers prepare for the establishment of Popery
preached in private houses, having been upon their ruins.  There is little reason
requested to do so, irrespective of the in- to doubt that such was his majesty's aim
dulgence; and this was represented by and expectation; but both the immediate
the council, in their letter to the king, and the ultimate consequences were very
as the compliance of the whole body. different from what he intended and
The king, imagining that his schemes hoped. In England a sharp controversy
were producing the desired effect, issued was carried on against the distinctive
a still more extensive toleration to the tenets of the apostate Church of Rome,
Dissenters in England; but neither did in which, as might be expected, both from
this hollow and crafty stratagem delude the goodness of their cause and the high
that conscientious body of Christians, talents.of the learned and eminent men
who, greatly to their honour, declined to who engaged in it, the English divines
avail themselves of the power of retalia- were signally victorious. The universition against the Established Church, ties also joined in the opposition to Powhich was so far placed within their pish ascendency; even royalist Oxford,
reach.                               notwithstanding its previous declaration
At length a third indulgence was of passive obedience, resisted when opgranted to the Scottish Presbyterians, pression was directed against itself. The
dated from London on the 28th of June, nation began to awaken, alarmed by the
and from Edinburgh on the 5th of July, rapid strides which his majesty was mak-' Wodrow, vol. iv. pp. 417-419.  ing towards Popery, and by the utter dis



A. D. 1688.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   287
regard. for all liberty, civil and religious, to do what in reality amounted to at least
which he displayed in his impetuous a partial admission of the royal suprehaste to accomplish what he regarded as macy in matters spiritual. Yet a conthe great object of his life.        siderable number of the ministers conIn Scotland the third indulgence led curred in writing and transmitting an ad
to a result different in aspect, but not more dress of thanks, but ill accordant with
favourable to the designs of the king. the free and independent principles of
Almost all the Presbyterian ministers in the Presbyterian Church.*
the kingdom availed themselves of the op-  The firm, unyielding  Covenanters
portunity which it gave them of resuming adopted a more consistent course. The
public worship, and collecting again their conferences in which they had been
scattered  congregations.  Many, both engaged with their more compliant breministers and people, were   released them  during the preceding year had
from prison, returned to their long-lost caused them to institute a thorough inhomes, and engaged with renewed fer- quiry into the nature and value of their
vour in the reconstruction of the Presby- own leading principles, the result of
terian Church by the revival of its unfor- which was the publication, early in this
gotten forms of government and disci- year, of a work entitled " An Informatory
pline, the reunion of its scattered but still Vindication," &c.  In this work they
living members, and the resuscitation of republished their former declarations,
its imperishable principles. Several of the giving a mitigated explanation of some
ejected or intercommuned ministers who objectionable sentiments and expressions,
had fled to Holland, returned and resum- but reasserting the great principles in deed the discharge of their sacred duties fence of which they had suffered, and
among their countrymen in their own be- were willing still to suffer, every extreme
loved native land.  Thus did the Pres- of persecution.  The writing of this
byterian Church begin to " shake her- work had tended both to give clearness
self from the dust, and to put on her to their conceptionof what these principles
beautiful garments;" yet the yoke was were, and to confirm them in their resonot wholly loosened from her neck, nor lute determination to resist every infringewas her robe unstained. A meeting of ment of what they firmly believed to be
ministers from different parts of the coun- principles of infinite value and eternal
try was held in Edinburgh, to deliberate truth.  They therefore rejected at once
respecting the course which ought to be any and every indulgence or toleration
followed in this change of circumstances. of man's inalienable right to worship God
It was generally agreed, that the benefit according to the direction of His own reof this indulgence should be accepted; vealed word and will, and the dictates of
but a strong difference of opinion arose, an enlightened conscience; especially
whether an address of thanks should be when such indulgence was founded upon
transmitted to the king. Fortunately for and proceeded from that pernicious printhe character of the Presbyterian Church, ciple, the unlimited prerogative and abso large a number of the ministers disap- solute power of the monarch,-a principroved of any address of thanks to a Po- pie equally inconsistent with the laws of
pish tyrant for giving what he htd no God and the liberties of mankind. Alike
right either to give or withhold, that the defying the tyrant's threats and spurning
meeting separated without consenting to his favours, they resolved to hold on their
transmit such an address as from  the unswerving course, to continue their
body, leaving it to individual ministers field-preachings, and to oppose the exerto act as they might think proper in the cise of arbitrary power on the one hand,
matter.  This, however, while it pre- and a course of weak and sinful submisvented a total loss of character, was an sion on the other.t  Men may censure
ominous manifestation of weakness, and their conduct as too rigidly unaccommowant of resolute adherence to Presby- dating but none who understand the subterian principles. Not merely no address ject will deny that at least "their failof thanks should have been sent fromi ings leaned to virtue's side," and that
them as a body, but there should have          Wodrow, vol iv. p. 428.
been a prohibition issued, forbidding any t Faithful Contendings, p. 310; Hind Let Ioose, p. 182.




288             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VII.
their principles and proceedings bore a and then returned to Edinburgh, where
closer resemblance to those of the First he lodged for the night. On the very
and Second Reformations, than did the next day, the 1st of February, early in
measures adopted by the greater number the morning, he was seized, dragged beof the more compliant and larger party. fore the council, committed to prison, and
Still, notwithstanding these dissensions, heavily fettered like a condemned felon.
the Presbyterian cause grew and pros- His accusation was based chiefly on his
pered generally. Some important regu- disowning the king, refusing to pay the
lations were framed by the meeting of cess, condemning the toleration, mainministers, for the guidance of the body taining the right of self-defence, and conin the great work, on which they were tinuing to hold field-preachings.  All
about to enter, of reviving the worship, these points he openly and unhesitatingly
government, and discipline of the Presby- admitted and defended, never once shrinkterian Church.                       ing from a full and clear avowal of the
[1688.] The year 1688, destined to be principles which he had taught.  The
so memorable in the annals of civil and pleasing simplicity of his manners, the
religious liberty, wore at its beginning manly and candid frankness of his
in Scotland the aspect of returning per- answers, the unflinching integrity of his
secution. The bold language and un- sentiments, and the youthful elegance of
yielding behaviour of Renwick and the his handsome person, all combined to
Covenanters provoked the council, and command the respect and awaken the
led to redoubled efforts for the seizure of compassion of his council, who manifestthat fearless asserter of religious purity ed an unusual desire to save his life.
and freedom, and for the enforcement of After he was condemned to die, he was
all the acts against field-preaching. A  asked if he wished longer time to be
proclamation was issued also, condemn- granted to him; his answer was, " It is
ing all books which defended the conduct all one to me: if it be prolonged, it is
of the Presbyterians, censured that of the welcome; if it be shortened, it is welpersecutors, and assailed Popery; from  come: my Master's time is the best."
which the Bible was scarcely exempted, The day of execution was however, postalthough its suppression was deemed yet poned, and considerable efforts were made
premature.*  Several instances of cruelty to induce him to yield, or to make such
and oppression inflicted upon the perse- a concession as would have justified the
cuted wanderers might be mentioned; council in sparing his life. He was visitbut omitting these, we proceed to relate ed by one of the bishops, by some of the
the sufferings and death of the last and curates, and by the lord advocate; but he
one of the most distinguished victims of remained unshaken in his principles,
prelatic tyranny.                    and calmly resolute to lay down his life
It has been already stated, that the rather than consent to their violation in
small band of determined Covenanters the slightest degree. He had been exrefused to accept the indulgence offered posed to much calumny and reproach for
by King James, which was accepted by his unbending maintenance of them, in
so many Presbyterian ministers. In this his conferences with other Presbyterian
refusal Renwick not only heartily concur- ministers; and he judged rightly, to
red, but was anxious that those who abandon them through the fear of death,
might accept it should at least guard if unconvinced that they were erroneous,
against giving utterance to any such sen- would cast great discredit upon these
timents as might disgrace the Presby- principles, discourage those who had
terian cause, and widen the breach be- been his faithful followers and fellowtween them and him, which he so much martyrs, and be utterly ruinous not only
deplored. For this purpose he wrote a to his own character, but also and espepaper containing his views, and went cially to his peace of mind. For him to
privately to Edinburgh to lay it before die was infinitely less terrible than to disthe meeting of ministers held there. own the Covenants, cast a stumblingWhen this was done, he went to Fife, block in the way of God's people, and
where he continued preaching some time, violate his own allegiance to Christ.'Wodrow, vol. iv. p. 444.     Finding that there was no prospect of




A. D. 1688.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  289
his submission, orders were given for his ral meeting in the parish of Galston,
execution.  On the day appointed, the where Mr. Shields preached in defiance
17th of February, he obtained permission of the sanguinary laws still in force
for his mother and sisters to spend a little against them. The soldiery were sent
time with him in the prison. To them he immediately to pursue the delinquents;
spoke even in terms of joyful anticipation but though they pillaged the country seof his near approaching death-hour, ad- verely, only one youth fell into their
dressing to them the kind and gentle lan- hands, who was killed on the spot with
guage of warm and pure affection, which, out so much as the form  of a triaL
while it smoothes the stream of sorrow, Several of the indulged ministers were
increases its depth and perpetuity. When interrupted in their ministry and brought
the hour approached, the council, appre- to trial on account of alleged violations
hensive of the effect which might be pro- of the terms of the late indulgence. By
duced, sent to request him neither to pray these proceedings the country was made
nor address the people from the scaffold; fully aware that the king's boasted uniintimating that, if he would not comply versal toleration was not intended to be a
the drums should be beat so that not a measure of mercy, but merely a decepword should be heard. He refused to tive pretext for the restoration of Popery
comply; and accordingly, whenever he to universal power in the kingdom.
attempted to speak, his voice was drown-  It is not our province to trace the civil
ed, or nearly so, in the harsh discordant events of this period, by which the revosound of the beaten drums.  Yet a few  lution was effected, especially as it may
broken sentences were caught by the be assumed that these are familiar to alkeen ears of his admiring followers and most every reader. A few sentences will
friends, and treasured up as the precious contain an outline sufficient for our purfragments of a distinguished martyr's dy- pose, which is merely to preserve the coning testimony.* So died James Renwick, tinuity of the narrative, that what belongs
three days. after he had completed his peculiarly to the church of Scotland may
26th year; a youth in years, but an ex- chiefly engage our attention, and at the
perienced Christian, and a most faithful, same time be seen in proper sequence and
zealous, and indefatigable minister; in natural connection.
temper mild, gentle, and patient,-in man-  The attention of all lovers of freedom
ners courteous and amiable,-in contro- had for some time been directed to the
versial discussion clear, vigorous, and Prince of Orange, husband of James's,
eloquent, as his writings amply prove,-  eldest daughter, and heir-presumptive to
in principle a Presbyterian of the ancient the crown. But on the 10th of June the
and heroic mould, inflexible as Knox and queen gave birth to an infant prince, by
vehement as Melville, though unequal to which the joy of the Papists was raised
either in genius and power. This sin- to the highest pitch, and the nation
gularly pious and highly-gifted youth generally alarmed by the dread of a sucwas the last who publicly sealed with his cession of Popish sovereigns. At the same
blood his testimony in behalf of Scot- time, the acquittal of the seven bishops,
land's Covenant, and the Divine Media- who had been committed to the Tower
tor's sole sovereignty over his Church.  by James because of their petitioning
The dreadless banner of the Covenant, against being compelled to read one of
which Renwick had so long upheld, was his arbitrary indulgences from the pulpit
not allowed to fall prostrate to the earth gave occasion to the display of the nawhen his hand was cold in death.  It tion's joy at the-defeat of absolute power.
was seized and borne aloft by the Rev. The vigilant eye of William marked well
Alexander Shields, who had previously the importance of the juncture. He saw
been a sufferer in the same cause, and the Scottish Presbyterians availing themwho, having been called by the society selves of the king's deceptive truce,. to
people to be their minister, boldly stept muster their strength,. and to recover that
into that honourable but most perilous position which belonged tothem asformpath of duty. They held a large gene- ing the great majority of the population
in the kingdom.   He perceived that
Cloud1     ftiv.  pp 445454; Life of enwick;James had succeeded in alienating the af37




290             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VII.
fections of the English Church and peo- Any thing more servile, and at the same
pie, while yet his popish support was in- time despotic and persecuting in its spirit,
considerable. The nation, he perceived, it is impossible to imagine; and as this
was ripe for a change, and the favourable was the last public act of Scottish Prela.
moment was come, which, if not prompt- cy, at the close of its bloody reign, it dely seized, might never return.   The serves to be recorded, as a proof that it
birth of the infant prince put an end to was still the same slavish, intolerant,
all indecision, as it put an  end to irreligious, and persecuting system which
his hope of ascending the throne by nat- it had ever been, and as a warning also,
ural succession. Having made the ne- that Prelacy and civil and religious freeeessary preparations for an enterprise so dom cannot exist together in Scotland.
momentous, he committed the cause        On the 10th of December there ocsolemnly to God, set sail, and landed at curred a riot in Edinburgh, caused chiefly
Torbay, without having encountered any by the students of the college and the
opposition; on the 5th of November.   city apprentices, which ended in their
In the meantime, James had been act- driving a body of troops out of Holyrood
ing like a man under the spell of infatua- House, which had been fortified and gartion. In England he ceased not to ir- risoned, rifling the Abbey, and burning
ritate the feelings of that high-spirited the images and other idolatrous symbols
people, already provoked beyond endur- employed in the popish worship.  This
ance by his despotism.  He attempted the riot the council had not power to quell;
perilous measure of remodelling the ar- and the Duke of Perth, the chancellor,
my, from which he was compelled to fled from the capital in terror of his life.
desist.  He drew the greater part of On the 14th the council published an act
the forces from Scotland, with,the view  for disarming Papists, and at the same
of employing them to keep his refractory time protecting their persons and properEnglish subjects in obedience, but leav- ty against tumults, which was intended to
ing his Scottish minions destitute of pow- prevent the recurrence of similar riotous
er to maintain his interests in that coun- scenes. On the 24th they issued a protry against the rising and rapidly increas- clamation, founded upon a rumour that
ing strength of the Presbyterians.  A  the Irish Papists had been called on by
proclamation was issued for raising the the king to invade Scotland. In this promilitia in Scotland; but that was little clamation they require all Protestant subelse than putting arms into the hands of jects to put themselves in a state of defence,
his opponents.  Yet the Scottish council for securing their religion, lives, liberties,
showed their willingness, if not their and properties, against the attempts of
power, by transmitting an address making Papists; and all heritors are summoned
offer of their lives and fortunes to the to meet, well armed and provided, at the
king, and requesting directions how to head burghs of their respective counties,
act in such a dangerous juncture.  When and to place themselves under the comthe Prince of Orange issued his declara- mand of the persons named in the proclation and manifesto, that document was mation. This was a virtual repeal ofthe
prohibited to be circulated or read; but whole proceedings of the government
the zealous Covenanters assisted greatly during the preceding twenty-eight years,
in spreading it throughout the length and in which to appear armed in defence of
breadth of the land, in spite of all prohibi- life and religion was condemned and puntions, and it was received with general ished as treason. After this act the Scotsatisfaction. On the 3d of November, all tish privy council voluntarily dissolved
the Scottish prelates,except two, concurred and disappeared, leaving the people in a
in sending a letter to the king, containing great measure to their own government,
the most extravagant eulogiums on that and to the defence of that form of relityrant and his course of government, gion to which they were most attached.
avowing their steadfast allegiance to him, This, therefore, we may regard as the
" as an essential part of their religion," end of the long and bloody persecution
and wishing him "the hearts of his subjects and the necks of his enemies."'  byterian ministers to the Prince of Orange furnishes a
noble contrast to this servile letter, as will be shown in
Wodrow, vol. iv. p. 463. The address of the Pres- its proper place.




A. D. 1688.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     291
which the Church of Scotland endured lawless pillage of the licentious soldiery,
from perjured and remorseless Prelacy, by which whole districts were almost
and the absolute despotism of the Brother turned into a wilderness. Surely those
Tyrants.                              who talk of the possibility of Prelacy
It would not have been strange if the ever becoming the religion of Scotland,
Presbyterians had inflicted a terrible must expect it to be preceded by such a
retribution on their merciless oppressors. revolution both in the constitution of the
But they acted in general like men con- human mind and in the frame of nature,
scions of a glorious cause, which they as shall completely sweep away all remight not permit their own passions to cords of the past; for so long as our
sully and disfigure.  When the rumour mountains, heaths, and glens, are studded
that an Irish invasion  was intended with the gray memorials of our martyred
reached the Covenanters, they immedi- fathers, and so long as the free blood
ately mustered in a considerable body, courses more warmly and the heart beats
and prepared to defend their country and higher in one true Scottish bosom, at the
their friends from the invaders; but find- narrative of their glorious sufferings and
ing the rumour groundless, they resolved the savage cruelty of their merciless perto take that opportunity of expelling the secutors, so long must it be absolutely irmprelatic curates from the parishes which possible for Prelacy to be regarded in
they had so long polluted with their pre- Scotland with any other feelings than
sence and devastated with their cruelty. those of indignant reprobation, as alike
They accordingly seized upon    these hostile to the principles of civil liberty,
wretched men, turned them out of their and contrary to the mild and gracious
usurped abodes, marched them   to the spirit of Christianity.
boundaries of their respective parishes,  In taking a retrospective glance over
and sent them away, without offering that dark and stormy period     of the
them further violence.*  No plunder, no Church of Scotland's history between the
bloodshed, stained the hands of the Cove- Restoration and the Revolution, there are
nanters.  As their constancy through the some topics which force themselves upon
long period of fiery trial had been almost the mind so strongly as to demand a brief
unparalleled, so their high-principled investigation before proceeding further.
self-government was conspicuous in their What was the ruling motive which inhour of bloodless triumph. How glori- duced Charles and James to persecute the
ously different the conduct of the Scottish Presbyterian Church with such relentless
Presbyterians from that of their prelatic cruelty? In the case of Charles, it could
persecutors, rendering it manifest to the not have been his preference of Prelacy
world, as if written with a sunbeam, on religious grounds, as he was evidently
which of these two forms of Church a man of no religion at all. In the case
government possessed most of the princi- of James, it was as manifest, that if he
ples, and displayed most of the charac- preferred that form  of church governter of the gospel of peace and good-will. ment, it was only because he regarded it
When the landing of the Prince of as less directly opposed to Popery, on the
Orange, and the revolution which fol- re-establishment of which his heart was
lowed, put an end to the persecution bent.   The steady and unswerving perwhich had continued for twenty-eight severance with which the whole course of
years, a computation was made, from   public affairs was guided in Scotland, towhich it appeared, that above eighteen wards the effecting of one object, during
thousand had suffered by death, slavery, so many years, proves clearly that some
exile or imprisonment, inflicted in the one ruling principle was in contiaual
vain endeavor to destroy the Presbyterian operation all the while. That principle,
Church of Scotland, and establish Prela- we think, Burnet's " History of His Own
cy on its ruins.t  This is exclusive of Times" furnishes the means of detecting.
the desolation spread over the country by From that work, as well as from many
oppressive fines, assessments, and the other sources, we learn that Charles had
joined the Church of Rome before he left'Crrickshank, vol. ii. p. 474; Burnet's Own Times, France.  Burnet tells us further, that
vol. i.         p. 805.0.             soon after the restoration Charles in cont Memoirs of the Church of Scotland. pp, 290.294.  soon after the restoration Charles in con



292             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VII.
versation with him, reprobated the liberty this intention, and were willing to become
that, under the reformation, all men took the base instruments by which it should
of inquiring in matters of religion, from  be accomplished; yet their conduct and
wvhich they proceeded to inquire into their written sentiments not only supportmatters of state; adding, that he thought ed, but too often seemed to lead the way to
government was a much safer and easier the full establishment of the most arbitrathing when the authority was believed ry and cruel tyranny, And it must nevinfallible, and the faith and submission of er be forgotten, that the execrable design
the people were implicit.  The king's of reducing Britain to a state of abject
predilection for Popery was evidently not slavery was, under Providence, frustrated
on the ground of conscience, but because solely by the unconquerable fortitude with
by its means alone he could hope to ac- which the Presbyterian Church of Scotquire absolute power, and to reduce the land endured every extremity of suffering
people to the implicit obedience of slaves. which a long, relentless, and desolating
To effect this tyrannical intention was persecution could inflict.
the constant endeavor of both Charles    At the same time it must be observed
and his brother; and there are many sig- that the resistance of the Presbyterian
nificant indications, that even in the case Church proceeded from  a far higher
of James, the love of Popery was subor- principle than merely the determination
dinate to the love of despotism.  This to defend the civilliberties of the country,
view completely explains both the direct -a principle without which civil liberty
endeavors and the evasive changes and can never be fully realized, and which,
fluctuations of these two reigns. Lau- in free and active operation, would renderdale appears to have early penetrated der the dire counterparts-absolute power
into the king's designs, and to have made and abject slavery-for ever impossible.
the attempt to realize them the ruling aim  This great principle, as abstractly stated
and effort of his whole administration. and most tenaciously maintained by the
Remembering also, that it was the pres- Church of Scotland, is, " That the Lord
ence of the Scottish army in England Jesus Christ is the sole Head and King of
which turned the wavering balance in fa- the Church, and hath therein appointed a
vor of the parliament during the civil government distinct from that of the civil
wars, he made it his steady endeavour to magistrate."  In the form in which it
bring Scotland into a state of such corn- practically appears, this great principle
plete subserviency to the king, that a realizes such a disjunction of the civil
powerful army might be raised in sup- and the ecclesiastical powers from each
port of his majesty, should any contest other as to assign and secure to each a
arise between him and his English sub- separate, co-ordinate, and independent sujects.  In this view, the act which Lau- preme court for the exercise of their rederdale procured from the Scottish par- spective functions.  The direct conseliament in 1663, offering to the king an quence of this great and sacred principle,
army of twenty thousand foot and two thus realized, is, that it preserves the
thousand cavalry to be at his own dispo- whole region of the conscience entirely
sal, was no empty bravado, as it has gen- free from the control of external power;
erally been regarded, but a significant and where the conscience is free, men
hint from that despotic statesman, that the cannot be enslaved.  The attempt to estime for the monarch's assumption of ab- tablish an absolute despotism, involved,
solute power was near at hand.   The of necessity, the destruction of this prinoath of supremacy,and the acts enforcing ciple: and the oath of supremacy was
it became, when viewed in this light, not the weapon by which it was directly and
only perfectly intelligible, but pregnant fiercely assailed.  The cruel policy of
with meaning of fearful import.  They the assailants needs little explanation.  It
were all so many steps towards that abso- was an easy matter for them to enact an
lute despotism which the king desired to unjust and irreligious law, such as that
establish, and that state of utter slavery which virtually declared that the soveto which he wished to reduce the king- reignty of the Church should be taken
dom. It is not necessary to suppose that from Christ, and given to the king, and
the prelatic party were full- aware of then to shout, "Obey the law, obey the




A. D. 1688.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     293
law!" proclaiming men rebels and trai- was indeed a substantial confirmation of
tors, and persecuting them to the death, the justness of their bold opinions. But
because they could not yield obedience to still, for any section of a community to
a law which required the violation of proclaim  and act upon such opinions,
their allegiance to the Divine Redeemer, must unavoidably expose them, as citibut chose to obey God rather than man in zens, to the charge of rebellion, and as
matters of religion.  It requires but little ministers and members of the Christian
Christian principle, metaphysical acumen, Church, to the charge of interfering with
or knowledge of the general principles of matters beyond their legitimate province.
jurisprudence, to perceive that no law can There seem to be but two conditions by
possibly be binding upon man which which such a course of procedure can be
is manifestly contrary to the law of God. fully justified, either of which can rarely
So reasoned and so felt our covenanted occur, and the one of which cannot be
fathers; and in defence of that sacred known beforehand, and, therefore, ought
and eternal principle they "endured a not to be assumed as a primary cause.
great fight of afflictions," through which These are, the direct command of God,
they were triumphantly borne by the of which the Bible relates various inmighty power of God, unfolding and stances; and ultimate success, which, correalizing in the fearful struggle, what, rectly speaking does not justify the atthough of subordinate importance, was tempt, but merely ratifies the deed, from
still of inestimable value, that noblest which it may be inferred, that the entercharter of civil liberty which man has prise was accordant with the will of
ever fiamed, the British Constitution.  Divine Providence.  This second conThe only accusation which can, with dition, we are aware, may be both misunany degree of propriety, be urged against derstood and misrepresented, as if it were
the Covenanters is, that they did to a cer- identical with the false principle, that the
tain extent misunderstand and overpass end justifies the means.  What we mean
some of the essential distinctions between is this, that when an attempt is made by
things civil and things sacred.  But this any considerable party in a nation, for an
cannot justly either excite our surprise or object which appears to be in accordance
call forth our censure.  Few seem yet to with Scripture, reason, and civil liberty,
have any accurate perception of these dis- its failure may prove it to have been pretinctions; and many seem  disposed to mature, but will not prove it to have been
deny that they either do or can exist, or, wrong; whereas its success will go far to
at least, that they can be so specifically prove it to have been essentially right.
marked out as to prevent the incessant The first, many of the Scottish Covenantmutual encroachments of the civil and ers conceived themselves to have, both by
the ecclesiastical jurisdictions upon the reasoning from Scripture analogies, and
respective provinces which rightfully be- from the directly unchristian character of
long to each. It was not strange, there- the principles attempted to be enforced by
fore, that the Covenanters partially erred, their opponents: the second they obtained
especially when engaged in such a deadly when the Revolution completed what they
struggle.  The contest was, on their part, had begun and carried forward with
at first waged solely in defence of the cen- determined resolution, heroic fortitude,
tral principle of religious liberty. But as and Christian patience; and it must be
civil and religious liberty exist or perish remarked, that they never doubted of the
together, they were soon compelled to ultimate triumph of their sacred cause,
contend equally for both, and thus the even in the most disastrous periods, and
scene of conflict was both enlarged and amidst the darkest horrors of the fierce
altered, involving a complication of in- exterminating persecution directed against
terests which tended to produce confusion. them by their despotic and merciless opIt was this which led them to the idea of pressors.  Any censure, therefore, which
disowning the king, and declaring what could justly be pronounced against'them,
they explained to be a "defensive war" must be exceedingly slight, and, when
against him, as against a lawless tyrant, compared with the vast debt of gratitude
whose own acts involved the invalidation due to them by the entire empire, must beof his right to reign.  The Revolution come almost invisible, like a speck in the




Q94               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  [CHAP. VII,
sun.  Still, while such must be the senti- them on account of the pernicious, treach.
ments of every enlightened lover of free- erous, and murderous principles which
dom, it is the true spiritually-minded they were said to hold, than the fact, that
Christian alone who can enter fully into when their principles had free scope, the
the feelings of these much-enduring and most remarkable      characteristic which
devoted men, comprehend the true nature they displayed was the forgiveness of
of the great and sacred principles in de- their fallen enemies.  The expelling of
fence of which they encountered the perils the curates, which has been already noand suffered the extremities of poverty, ticed, was in truth nothing else but the
imprisonment, exile, torture, and death, ejection of lawless intruders from positions
and  appreciate the real value of the and property on which they had wrongservice rendered by them to the cause of fully seized, with the view   of having
vital piety, and to the interests of the them  restored to their rightful owners.
Divine Redeemer's spiritual kingdom.     Still, the condition of the country was full
of peril, which was held in check by the
power of religious principle alone; and
v-^~~ ~it was the manifest interest of all classes
to reconstruct the disorganized   frame
CHAPTER       VIII              of society as speedily as possible.  On
this account men of all political parFROM THE REYOLU'rION, IN THE YEAR 1688, ties hastened to London, to hold interTO THE TREATY OF UNION IN 1707.      course with  each other and with the
Prince of Orange, to ascertain their reMeeting of the Convention of Estates-Declaration and sective strength  and to deliberate on
Claim of Right-Petition of the Covenanters-Theirate on
Loyalty and Patriotism-Condition of the Church the course to be pursued.
and Country-King William and Carstares-The                          1 
Prelatists-Meeting of Parliament-Acts abolishing  [1689.] The legislature of England
Prelacy. ratifying the Confession of Faith, establish  met in the form of a convention avoiding
ing the Presbyterian Church, and abolishing Patronage-Meeting of the General Assembly-Acts of the term parlizaent, as not being called
Assembly-Remarks on the Revolution Settlement- by the kin. and, after considerable dis
State of the Conflicting. Parties —The restored Ministers, the Conformists, the Covenanters-Views of cussion, voted, That James the Second
the King, of the Church, and of the Jacobites, and 
Prelatic Party —Origin of the Moderate Party-The having endeavored to subvert the con.
ommission-The Assembly forcibly ad.jouriled-Its stitution of the kingdom, by breaking tho
Firmness —Act of Parliament for settlina the Quiet
and Peace of the Church-Its Character and Conse- original contract between the king and
quences-A Mu'tual Compromise-A New Collision the peopl  and,  the advice of Jesuits
threatened-The King and Carstares-Meetings ofthe pple and, by the advice of 
the Assenbly-Proceedings of tile Church-Conduct and other wicked persons, having vioof the Jacobites and Prelatists-Act against intruding 
into Churches-Competing Calls and Transport- lated the fundamental laws, and withtions-The Rabbling Act-Misrepresentations of the drawn'himself out of this kingdom, has
Prelatic Party —Death of King Willian —Queen Anne
-Political Intrigues against the Chrch —Proposals abdicated the government, and the throne
for a Union-Act of Security-The Union-General i become vacant."  After some further
View of the State of the. Church           become vacant.    Aer somefurther
discussion, the vacant throne was given
TiIE dissolution of the Scottish privy to the Prince and Princess of Orange, as
council relieved the country instantly and joint sovereigns, the title constantly runcompletely from atyrannyand persecution ning    William   and Mary, King      and
under which it had groaned and bled for Queen of England,-the sole administra.
a period of twenty-eight terrible years; tion resting in the king.   On the 8th
but it left the kingdom   in a state of of Janlary, 1689, William      assembled
anarchy dangerous to the peace and wel- the leading Scottish noblemen and gentlefare of the community.  Had the Presby- men who were in London, and after reterians been influenced at all by the spirit ferring to his Declaration, told them that
of revenge, there was nothing -to have he had called them     together to ask their
prevented them from inflicting a dreadful advice respecting the best method of
retribution upon their paralyzed and de- securing the civil and religious liberties
fenceless oppressors in their hour of utter of their country.  Their advice was, that
weakness.    Nothing, therefore, could he would assume the administration of
have given a more perfect proof of the affairs till a convention of estates could
injustice and falsehood of the accusations be held in Edinburgh, and a proper
formerly urged so vehemently against settlement be effected, which convention




A. D. 1689.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   295
they requested to be empowered to meet Hamilton was named by the Presbyon the 14th of March; and to this he terians; the Prelatists gave their support
gave his assent.                    to the Marquis of Athol. The Duke of
The Scottish convention met on the Hamilton was chosen by a majority of
day appointed, the short interval having fifteen; and as this proved the superiority
been employed by the two contending of the Presbyterian party, a considerable
parties,-the adherents of James, who number of that wavering class of poliwere generally Prelatists, and the sup- ticians who act from  selfish motives,
porters of the Revolution, who were joined the side which they saw to be the
Presbyterians,-in the most strenuous strongest, increasingits majorities, though
endeavours to muster their whole strength adding nothing to its moral influence.
for the struggle. It had been stipulated The struggle was no longer doubtful, so
by the meeting in London, that in the far as regarded the transfer of the crown
election of representatives to the conven- from James to William; but the adjusttion, none who were protestants should be ment of the many great interests therein
excluded from legally voting, or from be- involved, was still a matter of an exing returned as members. This at once tremely difficult nature. Viscount Dunremoved the disabilities under which the dee, having in vain attempted to disturb
oppressive acts of the preceding reigns or overawe the convention, abandoned
had laid the greater part of the Presby- the wily arts of the politician, and deterterians, and enabled them to send to the mined to have recourse to the sword.
convention a majority of right-minded His abrupt and threatening departure
men. Still theperil was great. Claver- ruined the plans of the adherents of
house, who had been created Viscount James, by precipitating them into a conflict
Dundee by James, was fully determined for which they were not prepared, and by
to maintain the right of that despot by relieving the convention in a great meawar; and had brought with him to sure from the impediments which the
Edinburgh a considerable body of armed supporters of despotism, had they reand desperate men to overawe the con- mained, might have thrown in the way of
vention. There were no military forces the Revolution Settlement. The convenin the kingdom to prevent Dundee from  tion then ratified the London Address, in
any extreme to which his daring and all its tenor and conditions. A committee
ferocious spirit might impel him; and was next appointed, similar to the Lords
the castle was held by the Duke of Gor- of the Articles, for preparing the overdon, who also favoured the interests of the tures for settling the government; and in
fallen monarch. In this dangerous junc- this committee the prelates were omitted,
ture recourse was had to the Cameronian -by which a sufficiently intelligible intiCovenanters, as the only body which mation was given what was likely to be
both possessed the power and the inclina- the fate of Prelacy. Two letters were
tion to protect their country's liberties, presented to the convention, the one from
and might be trusted in this hour of King James, the other from the Prince of
peril.  They were requested to come to Orange; the first was disregarded, the
Edinburgh, armed and prepared to resist other treated with great respect. An an.
any outrage which might be offered to swer to the Prince's letter was prepared,
the convention or the town by Dundee, and then the convention proceeded to detheir former relentless persecutor. This dare their opinion respecting the state of
was a noble tribute to the character of the nation, and the necessary remedial
these much injured and greatly calum- measures.  This declaration was pubniated men. They had formerly been licly riad and agreed to, on the 4th of
hunted down as disturbers of peace and April, the day on which the Prince's letthe very enemies of society; they were ter in reply was received; and having
now sought and hailed as conservators of been embodied in the " Claim of Right,"
peace, and protectors of the public wel- in the conclusion of which was contained
fare.                                an offer of the Scottish crown to William
T    first trial of strength in the con- and Mary, together with a brief and
verLtin took place on the subject of simple oath of allegiance, the whole docuchoosing a president.  The Duke of ment was read, and the king and queen




296             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VIIL
publicly proclaimed in Edinburgh, on the as their declaration went, it stated the
1 Ith day of April, 1689.            very same reasons for the tyrant's forfeiA few sentences of this most important ture of the crown which had been redocument must be engrossed in the body peatedly stated by the followers of Cameof this work, in vindication of the princi- ron, Cargill and Renwick, and in defence
ples and conduct of the oppressed and of which these high-principled men had
persecuted Church of Scotland.  It be- cheerfully laid down their lives.
gins as follows:-                     A short time previous to the issuing of
"Whereas King James VII. being a the convention's Declaration and Claim
professed Papist, did assume the regal of Right, a petition was laid before them,
power, and acted as king, without ever embodying the sentiments and requests
taking the oath required by law, whereby of the maligned Cameronian Covenantthe king, at his accession to the govern- ers, in a strain at once of sublimity and
ment, is obliged to swear to maintain the pathos, such as rarely has been surProtestant religion, and to rule the people passed.
according to the laudable laws, and did,  "We prostrate ourselves, yet under the
by the advice of wicked and evil counsel- sorrowing smart of our still bleeding
lors, invade the fundamental constitution wounds, at your honours' feet, who have
of this kingdom, and alter it from a legal a call, a capacity, and, we hope, a heart
limited monarchy to an arbitrary despotic to heal us; and we offer this our petition,
power; and in a public proclamation as- conjuring your honours to hearken to us.
serted an absolute power to cass, annul, By all the formerly felt, presently seen,
and disable all the laws, particularly the and, for the future, feared effects and
laws establishing the Protestant religion, efforts of Popery and tyranny,-by the
and did exercise that power to the sub- cry of the blood of our murdered brethren,
version of the Protestant religion, and to -by the sufferings of the banished freethe violation of the laws and liberties of born subjects of this realm, now groaning
the kingdomr."  (Then follows an enu- in servitude, having been sold into slavery
meration of the arbitrary acts, complained in the English plantations of America,
against; forming, in fact, a brief outline by the miseries that many thousands forof the history of the persecuting period.) feited, disinherited, harassed, and wasted
" Therefore, the estates of the kingdom of houses have been reduced to,-by all the
Scotland find and declare that King sufferings of a faithful people, for adherJames VII. being a professed Papist, did ing to the ancient covenanted establishassume, &c. (in the same terms as above,) ment of religion and liberty, and by
WHEREBY HE HATH FORFEITED THE RIGHT all the arguments of justice, necessity,
TO THE CROWN, AND THE THRONE IS BE- and mercy, that ever could join together,
COME VACANT."                       tobegin communication among men of
The reader will observe, that this de- wisdom, piety, and virtue,-humbly, beclaration of the Scottish convention of es- seeching, requesting, and craving of your
tates is the same in spirit, and almost the honours, now when God hath given you
same in words, as the declarations emitted this opportunity to act for His glory, the
by the covenanted Presbyterians, on ac- good of the Church, of the nation, your
count of which they were calumniated own honour, and the happiness of posand persecuted as rebels and traitors. terity,-now  when this kingdom, the
The only essential difference between neighbouring, and all the nations of
their declarations and that of the conven- Europe, have their eyes upon you, extion is, that the Covenanters took for pecting you will acquit yourselves like
their central and leading principle that the representatives of a free nation, in rewhich forms the essence of religious deeming it from slavery otherwise inevi
liberty, and at the same time renders ab- table,-that you will proceed without any
solute civil despotism impossible, namely, delay to declare th.e wicked government
the sole sovereignty of Christ, as the only dissolved, the crown and throne vacant,
Head and King of his free spiritual king- and James VII., whom we never owned,
dom, the Church.  This the convention and resolved in conjunction with many
did not declare,-in all probability they thousands of our countrymen never to
neither understood nor held it; but so far own, to have really forfeited, and rightly




A. D. 1689.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   297
to be deprived of, all right and title he expenditure of levy-money, they raised a
ever had, or ever could pretend to have regiment of eight hundred men, comhitherto, and to provide that it may never monly termed the Cameronian regiment,
be in the power of any succeeding ruler commanded by the Earl of Angus, and
to aspire unto or arise to such a capacity Lieutenant-Colonel Cleland; the latter
of tyrannizing."  (They then petition of whom had led a party of the insurthat the crown  may be bestowed on gents both at Drumclog and Bothwell
William, with such necessary provisions Bridge, and was afterwards killed in the
as may secure liberty civil and religious, gallant and successful defence of Dunspecify the king's duty to profess and keld by that regiment against a far supepreserve the pure religion and the work rior force of Highlanders.  Such, indeed,
of reformation, and conclude thus:)- was their loyalty and zeal, that they even
" Upon such terms as these we render offered to raise two more regiments, if
our allegiance to King William, and their services should be required, for the
hope to give more pregnant proofs of our protection of the nation's liberties; a suffiloyalty to his majesty, in adverse as well cient proof that they were neither the
as prosperous providences, than they narrow-minded fanatics, nor the miserahave done, or can do, who profess im- ble handful, which their enemies and
plicit subjection to absolute authority so persecutors pretended, but in reality a
long only as Providence preserves its powerful body of high-hearted and pagrandeur."*                          triotic men.
Such were the earnest, free, and digni-  It deserves to be remarked, that in the
fled, loyal, and pious sentiments of men Claim of Right, which forms the basis of
who had been slandered, reviled, and the Revolution Settlement, the convention
persecuted for the space of twenty-eight did not rest satisfied with the rather amyears; and whose characters, principles, biguous mention of the Protestant reand memory, the greatest author of mo- ligion, but inserted a clause in the followdern times has vainly striven to blacken ing terms: " That Prelacy, and the
and disgrace, his own reputation alone superiority of any office in the Church
suffering from the malignant and abortive above Presbyters, is, and hath been, a
attempt, through the fatal recoil which ig- great and insupportable grievance and
norant and calumnious falsehood sustains, trouble to this nation, and contrary to the
when it dares to encounter unsullied and inclinations of the generality of the peomajestic truth. Their loyalty and patriot- ple, ever since the Reformation, they
ism were not confined to words. In the having been reformed from Popery by
distressed state of the country, a civil war Presbyters, and, therefore, ought to be
commencing, led on by the fierce and in- abolished."  The insertion of such a
furiated Dundee (Claverhouse), with few  clause was imperatively necessary in
troops in the kingdom, and some of these order to satisfy the Presbyterians, who
disaffected to the new  sovereign, and had at least as much reason to dread
others almost undisciplined, the generous Prelacy as they had to dread Popery itCovenanters stood forward in defence of self; having suffered from Prelacy a pertheir native land, and offered to raise a secution unspeakably more intense than
regiment for public service, stipulating ever Popery had been in a condition to
only that the officers should be men of inflict.
conscience, honour, and fidelity, and un-  The Revolution Settlement was now
stained by the persecuting proceedings as complete as the temporary expedient
of the late reigns, and that their service of a convention of estates could legally
shoula be for the defence of the nation render it; and in order to connrm it in
and the preservation of religion, in oppo- the amplest manner, without incurring
sition to Popery, Prelacy, and tyranny  the danger of intrigues and divisions, the
These terms were gladly accepted; and king empowered them to pass an act
in one day, without beat of drum, or the converting the convention into a parliament, to meet formally on the 5th of' Cruickshank, vol. ii. pp. 279, 280; Memoirs of tle June and for despatch of business on th e
Church of Scotland, pp. 03-3038.      June and for despatch o business on the
t See Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality; and Dr. 17th of the same month, in which the
MCrie's Vindication of the Covenanters, in his Miscel-  o f rfr  w  preside -  he
aneous Works.                        Earl of Craword was to preside
38




298             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            fCHAP. VIII,
Duke of Hamilton representing his ma- When King James's last indulgence
jesty as commissioner.  The general was issued, several of the exiled and inconfusion prevailing in the kingdom at tercommuned ministers returned from
this time rendered the sitting of the par- abroad, and availed themselves of its proliament short, and comparatively unsatis- visions so far as to recommence preachfactory. Yet some important measures ing, some in the parishes from which
were carried and others proposed. On they had been formerly ejected, in barns
the 22d of July an act was passed " abol- or in meeting-houses erected expressly
ishing Prelacy, and all superiority of for their accommodation; others in such
any office in the Church in this kingdom  places as their friends could procure ir.
above Presbyters," and rescinding those the most favourable situations. Some of
acts of parliament passed in the reign of these were again interrupted, driven
Charles II., by which Prelacy had been from their places of worship, and impriestablished. An "overture for settling soned, or otherwise silenced, before the
church government in Scotland" was abdication of James, and the dissolution
then laid before the parliament by the of the persecuting privy council.  And
Duke of Hamilton, but was so ill re- when, by the act of forfeiture passed by
ceived, that it was withdrawn. An act the convention, the despotic power was
was prepared, and with some difficulty abolished and religious liberty secured,
passed, excluding from places of public all the surviving Presbyterian ministers
trust those persons who had either been were at once allowed to come forward,
ready instruments of tyranny and perse- ready for the reconstruction of their nacution in the former reigns, or had ex- tional temple. It then appeared, that of
erted themselves against the recent pro- upwards of four hundred ministers, who
pitious changes which had rescued the had been ejected to make way for Prelacy,
nation from civil and religious despotism. only about sixty survived to see the resBut this the commissioner refused to toration of Presbytery. Well might the
ratify, and it was not again revived in worn and wasted band gaze sadly on
any subsequent parliament. The dissen- each other, as they contemplated the
sions in the parliament continued to run great work which was to be done, and
high, increased on the one hand by ru- their own inadequacy to accomplish the
mours of conspiracies among the adhe- arduous task.
rents of James, who began to be termed  The difficulties to be encduntered were
Jacobites, and who were composed of both numerous and formidable.   They
Papists, Prelatists, and supporters of ab- had to meet the determined and deadly
solute power, whether of any religious hostility ofthe defeated Prelatists throughcreed, or of none; and on the other, by out the kingdom; under which designathe disappointment of the Presbyterians, tion must be classed not only the few who
who had as yet experienced little return favoured Prelacy on purely religious
of gratitude from the king for having so grounds, if any such there were, but
greatly contributed to that Revolution also, and especially, all secular politicians,
which transferred to his brow the crown all ambitious or licentious men of the
of three kingdoms. It was accordingly world, all Papists, and all who hated readjourned, and appointed to meet again ligion because they loved immorality.
early in the beginning of the following They had also to attempt the very diffiyear.                                cult task of uniting all Presbyterians into
Having thus traced a brief outline of one compact harmonious body, able both
the main civil events which took place to confront their enemies, and to insure
during the first year of the new reign, the respect and support of their friends.
and while the nation was still tossing in But the greater part of the Presbyterian
all the fitful uncertainties which charac- ministers in Scotland, at that juncture,
terize a state of transition, it is necessary were those who had either partially conto direct our attention a little more closely formed to Prelacy, or had accepted of the
to the actual condition of the Presbyterian indulgences which had from time to time
Church, which was now struggling from  been offered, and had repeatedly excited
amidst the ruins in which it had been so such unhappy and pernicious divisions
long overwhelmed and kept prostrate. among them. These men conscious of




A. D. 1689.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   299
their feeble-minded and faithless defec- was a statesman in the strictest sense of
tions, were on that very account the more the term; and his mind was so engrossed
ready to take offence at the slightest allu- with the great idea of maintaining the
sion to their former conduct by their balance of power in Europe against the
more consistent brethren.  There was, gigantic strength of France, that every
therefore, the utmost reason to dread the other thing occupied but a subordinate
instantaneous rising of such internal dis- place and value in his thoughts. A cornsensions as would prevent the possibility plete union between Scotland and Engof reuniting the Presbyterian body into land he regarded as of essential imporsuch a harmonious form as might enable tance, to enable him to meet the compact
it to become again the Established Church might of the French monarchy; and
of the nation. The danger of such a dis- though personally favourable to the Presastrous result was greatly increased by byterian form, yet seeing the improbatwo entirely opposite causes. On the one bility that he could persuade England to
hand, those who were merely, or chiefly, accept of it, he was desirous to induce
political Presbyterians, strongly urged Scotland to consent to a modified Episcoupon the ministers, that all mention of pacy. He did not regard any form of
past defections, errors, and weaknesses church government as of divine authority;
among their brethren should be most and therefore thought it practicable to incarefully avoided, so that offence might duce both kingdoms to abate somewhat
neither be given nor received; on the of their distinctive peculiarities, and to
other, the unyielding Covenanters, who meet and unite in some intermediate arhad not shrunk from the hottest of the rangement. For that reason he abstained
conflict, whose firm and steady strength from a full recognition of Presbytery in
had contributed greatly to the protection Scotland at first, waiting to try the effect
of the convention, and by that means had of returning peace to produce unanimity;
lent effectual aid to the assertors of free- and when he did consent to the establishdom, and who were doubtless somewhat ment of the Presbyterian Church in Scotelated to see so many of their boldest prin- land, he did so in terms which have been
ciples in the course of being realized,-  thought to admit of a somewhat lax inthese high-minded and inflexible men terpretation, declaring it to be " agreeurged upon the whole Presbyterian body able to the Word of God," instead of
the absolute necessity of making a full "grounded upon the infallible truth of
acknowledgement of all past errors and God's Word," which was the form of
defections, and of resting satisfied with expression used by Knox, at the first esnothing short of the revival of the Na- tablishment of the Presbyterian Church.
donal Covenants, and the restoration of The same course of policy led him to
the Church to the position she had occu- desire in Scotland itself a union of the
Died in the year 1649. It was absolutely prelatic clergy of the two preceeding
impossible that views so diametrically reigns and the restored Presbyterians;
opposed to each other could both be though, how he could expect any degree
adopted; and it was almost inevitable of cordiality to subsist between humbled
that the wish and the endeavour to frame and fangless persecutors and their ressome compromise, or to take up some in- cued, yet wounded and still bleeding victermediate position, would plunge the tims, it is not easy to imagine.  By
Church into inextricable difficulties, and prosecuting this specious yet most baneperhaps also into serious errors.    ful policy, dictated do doubt by that great
The peculiar character and views of deceiver of the world's sages and statesKing William, and the advice given to men, expediency, William both alienated
him by those in whom he reposed the and so far paralyzed his Presbyterian
greatest confidence, did not tend to dimin- friends, to whom  chiefly he owed the
ish the difficulties of the Scottish Pres- British crown, left power in the hands
byterians.  There is no reason to doubt of enemies and traitors, and excited those
that William  was well aware of the feelings of discontent in the minds of the
value of true religion, and was himself one party, and turbulent anticipations of
considerably under its influence. But he change and counter-revolution in the




000             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.           [CHAP. VIII.
other, by which his whole reign was cation and habit, and by the convictions
rendered a scene of distraction and tur- of human prudence and political sagamoil.                               city; and therefore, he strove for the re-es
Nor was it fortunate for either William  tablishment of the Presbyterian Church
or the Church of Scotland, that Car- as most likely to confirm his sovereign's
stares, whom  he had made his private throne, and most agreeable to the inclina
chaplain, and on whose advice he so tions of the people;-they were Presbymuch relied in the management of Scot- terians by the grace of God and the intish affairs, held opinions so congenial dwelling power of divine truth within
to those of his royal master. Carstares their souls; and, therefore, they strove
was unquestionably a man of great abil- for the establishment of a Presbyterian
ity, and his resolution and fidelity had Church, as directly founded upon the
borne a severe trial on a former occasion. Word of God, and therefore of divine
But, though a sincere Presbyterian, he institution and authority. Yet the errors
seems to have been so more from politi- of Carstares were those chiefly of omiscal than from religious considerations, sion: to the extent to which his own deand to have viewed a religious establish- fective views enabled him to reach, he
ment more as an engine of state than as had an accurate conception of the Presa Church of Christ. The great Presby- byterian polity and discipline, and did
terian principle, that the Lord Jesus is his utmost to obtain its establishment, and
the only. Head and King in his Church, to protect it in times of danger.
he does not seem to have understood or  Another point demands our observafelt, at least neither his conduct nor any tion. On the 13th of April a proclamaof his writings give any indication that tion was issued by the convention of
it formed the ruling principle in his estates, against the owning of King Jares,
views of ecclesiastical polity. That he and appointing public prayers for Wilwas a sincere friend to the Church of liam and Mary, as king and queen of
Scotland, is certain; but the defective Scotland; with certification, that those
nature of his own perception of its great who refused should be deprived of their
principles not only prevented him from  benefices. This proclamation was disremaking any effort to obtain their free de- garded by a,great number of the prelatic
velopement, but even led him to obstruct clergy, who neither read it as required,
and thwart what it ought to have been prayed for William and Mary, nor kept
the business of his life to promote. It a day of thanksgiving, subsequently apwas, therefore, morally impossible that pointed. They were, besides, discovered
Carstares should give to the king the to be in close correspondence with the
wisest and the best advice with regard to exiled king, and with Dundee, both givthe establishment of the Presbyterian ing him infornation and doing their utChurch, since he did not himself under- most to furnish him with supplies of men
stand the very essence of the Presby- and money.  This was very different
terian system of Church government. from any thing which the Presbyterians
Some will thmnK this a strange assertion, had done during any period of the persewhen employed respecting a man of cution; and to have allowed it to pass
such eminence as Carstares, and one to unpunished would have been giving diwhom the Church of Scotland is in re- rect encouragement to a counter-revoluality under deep obligations. Let them  tion. The matter was therefore taken up
studiously compare the principles and by the privy council, during the interval
conduct of Carstares with those of the between the convention and the parlia.
great men who conducted the First and ment, and after the adjournment of the
Second Reformations in Scotland, and latter, and prosecutions were instituted
they will be compelled to feel, whether against the delinquents. From the records
they fully understand the cause or not, of council it appears that, in all, two hunthat in him they perceive but a cold re- dred and two were publicly tried for disflected lunar light,-in them the life-giv- obeying the proclamation and maintaining power and fervour of direct sun- ing direct intercourse with the armed
shine. He was a Presbyterian greatly, supporters of James, twenty-three were
if not chiefly, through the force of edu- acquitted, and one hundred and seventy



A. D. 1689.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    301
nine were deprived of their benefices.* being taken on the ground of that misunSuch was the sentence pronounced against derstanding. When the mere politician
them; but in a very great number of in- uses the word, he too generally means
stances this sentence was not enforced, nothing more than that he regards all
and these men continued to enjoy their religious creeds and forms with equal inofficial situations and emoluments, not- difference; and that, in his opinion, it is
withstanding their direct and pertinacious a matter of convenience or expediency,
hostility to the existing government of the whether a certain amount of encouragecountry. This has been termed persecu- ment should be shown to all alike, or to
tion; and loud and vehement have been none at all. The mode of viewing the
the vituperative outcries ofprelatic writers matter every man of principle must unagainst the Presbyterian Church, accus- hesitatingly condemn; and it may safely
ing it of excessive cruelty and intoler- be presumed, that few of any Christian
ance the moment it obtained power. But denomination would support religious
the whole procedure was the work of the toleration on the plea that religious truth
convention and the council; the Presby- could not be known, and, since it might
terian ministers were not consulted in the possibly be in the possession of some
matter; and the process had been begun party, it was best to tolerate all. Even if
nearly three months before the passing statesmen and mere politicians should take
of the act abolishing Prelacy.  One in- that ground, it is not likely that sincere
evitable consequence, however, was the Christians will.  Yet almost all will
increased hatred with which the Prelat- admit, that error cannot be suppressed,
ists regarded the Presbyterians, rendering nor truth taught, by means of civil pains
William's scheme for a compromise, and and penalties, which, therefore, ought
a union founded upon it between those never to be employed in matters of relirival parties, the more hopelessly imprac- gion; but surely it might be easily perticable.                             ceived, that abstaining from conferring
It has been already stated, that Wil- power on those who hold certain opinions
ham's general views of state policy led is a very different thing from inflicting
him to be anxious for a thorough union pains, penalties, persecution, and death.
of all interests and parties in the empire. The utmost that the Church of Scotland
He well knew that this was impossible so ever required was the former,-the mere
long as men were not only divided, but abstaining from conferringpower on men
keenly opposed to each other in religious by whom it was certain to be abused;
matters.  Having failed to induce the while Prelacy, not content with excludprelatic Church of England to abate its ing Presbyterians from places of public
haughty pretensions, and having ascer- trust, followed them  into private life,
tained that the Scottish Presbyterians assailed them  in person and property,
were not disp.r-d to submit to the replac- drove t:eom from  their houses, hunted
ing upon their necks of that bloody yoke them to i'e wildest dens and lurkingfrom which they had yet but scarcely places, and inflicted upon them  every
escaped, he proposed a general toleration, kind and degree of suffering which the
intended to give immediate religious most intolerant and savage persecution
liberty to all Protestants, and to prepare could suggest and execute. The true
the way gradually for that complete union Presbyterian cannot adopt the politician's
which he so much desired. But the true plea; which is scepticism and indifference,
principles of toleration were at that time for he believes that truth may be known,
little, if at all, understood; and instead of and that he has been taught to know it;
giving satisfaction to the'contending par- but while he tolerates no error, he perseties, the greatest hazard was incurred, of cutes no erring man, but pities, forgives,
giving offence to all, and completely frus- loves, and endeavours to instruct him,
trating his own favourite object. It is, that he may be relieved from the darkindeed, scarcely possible to use the very ness and the bondage of ignorance and
word toleration even now without being be rendered capable of enjoying that full
misunderstood by some party, and offence and glorious liberty experienced by those
alone whom truth has made free indeed.
Records of the Privy Council; Life of Cartares,  The only direct steps taken by the
pp. 41 42.                                                p




302            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VIII
Presbyterian ministers in the course of influence in ecclesiastical affairs as might
the year 1689, were the resumption of be practicable. On the 25th of April an act
their churches, where that was rendered was passed, rescinding the act of suprem.
practicable by the departure of the curates; acy, which had been the cause of so much
the holding of several meetings with each suffering to the Church of Scotland.  On
other, preparatory to the re-establishment the same day another important act was
of their general forms of government and passed, restoring to their churches all that
discipline; and the drawing up of an ad- were still alive of the Presbyterian minisdress to the Prince of Orange, early in ters who had been ejected since the 1st of
the year, before the meeting.of the con- January 1661,and ordering the removal of
vention.  The fiee, generous, and noble the prelatic incumbents from these usurped
sentiments contained in that address, con- parishes. Some difficulty arose about the
trast Strongly with the spirit, equally ser- passing of an act restoring the Presbytevile and tyrannical, of the address trans- rian form of church government partly
mitted by the Scottish prelates to James, from the attempts of those who favoured
on the very eve of his abdication.*  The Prelacy, and partly from the king's revery comparison of those two documents luctance to make any decided recognition
alone, might have been enough to have of the divine right of Presbytery, which
convinced William  to which of these might preclude the possibility of some
Churches his entire and strenuous sup- future modification of both that and the
port was due, if he were indeed sincere in prelatic form, such as might enable them
his assumed character of a defender of re- to be moulded into one.  When the
ligious and civil liberty.            draught of the proposed act was sent
[1690.] When parliament met in April to him for his approbation, he made sev1690, it was felt by the conflicting parties eral remarks on its language, altering
that their proceedings would be of vital some expressions so far as to allow at
importance in determining the completed least a possible construction of the meanform which the Revolution Settlement ing according to his views, yet leaving to
must now assume.   The Earl of Mel- the commissioner " some latitude," in case
ville was appointed commissioner, instead he might find it necessary to adhere more
of the Duke of Hamilton, and the Earl closely to the original form than his maof Crawford president,-changes which jesty's alterations seemed to allow.*  At
augured well of the king's favourable in- length, on the 7th of June, that importentions, both of those noblemen being tant act was passed,' ratifying the Consound Presbyterians, particularly the lat- fession of Faith, and settling Presbyterian
ter, who was distinguished by an upright church government."
integrity of character, and an earnest sin-  In this act Prelacy is again termed a
cerity of religious principle, but rarely "great and insupportable grievance, and
seen in men of rank. The lacobites contrary to the inclination of the generalwere considerably weakened'y the de- ity of the people, ever since the Reformafeat and death of Dundee, rnd the sup- tion, they having been reformed from
pression of the insurrection raised by him, Popery by Presbyters:" the Presbyteand also by the detection of subsequent rian government is characterized as " the
plots in which they had been engaged. government of Christ's Church within
Their attempts had satisfied William of this nation, agreeable to the Word of God,
the truth of what Carstares had told him, and most conducive to the advancement
that the stability of his government would of true piety and godliness, and the estabdepend upon the Presbyterians; and had lishing of peace and tranquillity within
correspondingly disposed him to grant this realm."  The act then "ratifies and
their requests.  The private instructions establishes the Confession of Faith, now
to that effect which he gave to the com- read in their presence, and voted and apmissioner were sufficiently ample, prov- proven by them, as the public and avowed
ing that he was prepared'to grant larger confession of this Church;" " as also,
concessions than he did, had they been they do establish, ratify, and confirm the
seriously and urgently required, while he Presbyterian  church  government and
was desirous to retain as much direct discipline, ratified and established by the
-   Wodi jw, vol. iv. pp. 481, 482.    * Life of Carstares, pp. 44-46.




A. D. 1689 ]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     303
act of 1592, reviving, renewing, and con- could obtain deliverance from that galling
firming the foresaid act in the whole and pernicious bondage. The act was
heads thereof; except that part of it relat- drawn up by a true Presbyterian, Sir
ing to patronages, which is hereafter to James Stewart of Goodtrees, assisted by
be taken into consideration;" "and allow- three ministers, Gabriel Cunningham,
ing and declaring that the church govern- Hugh  Kennedy, and Gilbert Rule.
ment be established in the hands of, and Goodtrees told. the historian Wodrow,
exercised by these Presbyterian ministers that the design of those who framed the
who were outed since the 1st of January act was to bring the matter of settling
1661, and such ministers and elders only ministers as near the ancient primitive
as they have admitted and received, or Xestozotoa as the circumstances of the
shall hereafter admit and receive."  The time would permit; that they were careGeneral Assembly was allowed also "to fully cautious not to bring the heritors
try, and purge out, all insufficient, negli- and elders into the patron's room in the
gent, scandalous, and erroneous ministers, matter of presentation, when the patronby due course of ecclesiastical proofs and age was abolished; which in their judgcensures."                            ment would have been as great slavery,
On the 19th of July the subject of if not worse, and a mere substitution of
patronage was taken into consideration, many patrons in the room of one. " And
and an act passed, "discharging, cassing, therefore they were very careful to abannulling, and making void the power stract the word present, which might
of presenting ministers to vacant church- have imported something like this, and
es;" and declaring, " that in the case of of design put in the word propose in its
the vacancy of any parish, the heritors room."  Goodtrees further expressed his
of the said parish, being Protestants, and astonishment that people still confounded
the elders, are to name and propose the these two, and supposed that the heritors
person to the whole congregation, to be and elders were in the patron's place,
either approven or disapproven by them," when they were only to propose, and the
their reasons to be stated if they disap- people to approve, or, if they disapprove,
proved, to be judged of by the Presbytery. to give their reasons to the presbytery.
And in lieu of the right of patronage, the The express intention of the act was to
patrons were empowered to raise from  abolish patronage entirely, to put an end
the heritors and life-renters of the several to presentations, and to cause the voice of
parishes the sum of 600 merks (~33. 6s. the people to be heard as much as pos8d.), on the payment of which the patron sible in the choice of ministers, and the
was bound to execute a renunciation of assigning of the six hundred merks as an
his right in favour of the parish.  By equivalent was intended to prevent the
the same act the teinds or tithes, to which possibility of a subsequent parliament
no person could show an heritable title, rescinding the act and restoring patronand which had been considered always age.*   Such were the legislative enactas the proper patrimony of the Church  ments for the re-establishment of the
were also made over to the patron, who, Presbyterian Church; and, that they
however, was bound to sell to each heritor might take full effect, a meeting of the
the teinds of his own lands, at the rate of General Assembly was appointed to be
six years' purchase, subject to the deduc- held in Edinburgh on the 16th of Oc6
tion of the ministers' stipends.  In this tober.
manner a very valuable compensation     On the appointed day, the 16th of Ocwas given to patrons for relinquishing tober 1690, after a violent and illegal. inthe right of patronage, as it was termed: terruption of nearly forty years, the
-a right which in by far the majority of General Assembly again met for the discases was a most flagrant wrong, a direct charge of its sacred duties. The first
and illegal usurpation. But the friends day was appointed as a day of fasting and
jf the Presbyterian Church were so de- humiliation, previous to entering upon the.
sirous to be released from the grievous discharge of any official duties, when
yoke of patronage, that they were con- Mr. Gabriel Semple, who had assisted in
tent to submit to the loss of their rightful
property, if by the same means  they    d, MS. as given in the evidences of Dr.
property, if, by t he same means, t.heyM'Crie, in the Patronage Report, pp. 361, 362.




304             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VIII
renewing the Covenants at Lanark before and Protesters against each other, during
the battle of Pentland Hills, preached,-  their time of angry contention; appointed
Mr. Gabriel Cunningham acting as in- a commission to visit the northern disterim moderator till the Assembly was tricts of the kingdom, and to inquire into
properly constituted, when Mr. Hugh the conduct of. the ministers in those.
Kennedy, one of the ministers of Edin- parts of the country, giving them full inburgh, was elected.*  Lord Carmichael structions for their course of procedure,
was the commissioner appointed. by his and enjoining them to act with temperate
majesty; and produced a letter from the caution towards the accused, and giving
king, strongly recommending calm and urgent directions respecting the dissemipeaceable procedure.  The reply of the nation of the Scriptures among the HighAssembly was expressed in the most tem- landers in their own language, and the
perate language; and was followed by a settling of no ministers among them who
declaration, "that it was not the mind of were ignorant of Gaelic. A  letter was
the Assembly to depose any incumbent sent to the king, informing him respectsimply for his judgment anent the govern- ing what had been done, and was intendment of the Church, or to urge reordina- ed; and Messrs. Gilbert Rule and David
tion, nor to ratify any sentences against Blair were appointed to confer with his
any ministers but such as were either majesty concerning the affairs of the
ignorant, insufficient, scandalous, or erro- Church. Such is a brief outline of the
neous."  Proceeding in the same spirit, proceedings of the first General Assemthe Assembly received into the national bly after the Revolution.
Church the three Cameronian ministers,  So much has been written regarding
Messrs. Shields, Linning, and Boyd. the Revolution Settlement, both in terms
But in the very act of receiving these min- of approbation and censure, that it seems
isters offence was given to their inflexible necessary to offer a few remarks on it,
adherents, by the refusal of the Assembly less in the character of a logician or a
to enter so fully into the subject of griev- churchman, than in that of a historian,
ances and defections as that strict section for the purpose of directing the reader's
of zealous Presbyterians required.  The attention to those points, the consideraconsequence was, that though the minis- tion of which may enable him to facrm
ters were admitted, the people recoiled, his own judgment respecting its merits
continued to remain aloof, and ultimately and demerits.  The situation  of the
succeeded in obtaining a sufficient num- General Assembly, when it met, was
ber of ministers holding similar opinions one of peculiar difficulty.  It was not
to form themselves into a separate body, merely surrounded by numerous and
since known by the designation of the conflicting hostile forces, but it contained
Reformed Presbytery.                  also within itself many jarring and disAn act of Assembly appointing a na- cordant elements, threatening to produce
tional.fast, and stating the causes of it, instantaneous disruption.  The king's
gave rise to a long and somewhat perilous desire for the admission of the prelatic
discussion.  The more zealous party in- party was well known, and the danger
sisted that there should be a full enumera- of offending him was great; Carstares
tion of all the sinfil deeds of the nation, was incessantly and strongly urging the
whether committed by the rulers, the necessity of compliance with his maChurch, or the people generally; but the jesty's desires; the prelatists were loud
same dread of uttering any thing which in their complaints.and vehement in their
might tend to rekindle strife, or to widen demands for such a measure of power as
divisions, induced the Assembly to avoid would have enabled them  speedily to
any very specific mention of several have resumed their persecuting and extopics, and to restrict their confession as terminating career; and the Jacobites
much as possible to general acknowledg- were secretly instigating the enemies of
ments of public guilt displayed in the William  to employ every method for
conduct of all ranks and classes in the embroiling the Church in internal strife,
kingdom.   The Assembly then rescinded till their schemes for a counter-revolution
all the sentences passed by Resolutioners should be ripe.  Within the Church
Acts of Assembly, and MS. Minutes.  there were three parties: the aged minis



A. D. 1685.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   305
ters who had been ejected at the corn- in giving up any one branch of the royal
mencement of the persecution, and, hav- prerogative.*  By adhering to these maxing escaped its deadly perils, were now  ims, William  discouraged and offended
the proper representatives of the Church the Presbyterians, not only without conof the Second Reformation; the ministers ciliating the prelatists, but even giving
who had, to a greater or lesser degree, occasion to them to entertain the hope
conformed to Prelacy, accepted the indul- that he would cast off the Presbyterians
gences, and become tainted somewhat and restore Prelacy.  There is no reason
with a tendency to laxity and indifference to think that such was ever his intention,
in doctrine, discipline, and government; though it has often been asserted by preand the unconquered Covenanters, who latic writers. HIis scheme was to retain
had followed  Cameron, Cargill, and as much of an Erastian power within the
Renwick, spurning every weak cor- Presbyterian Church as might be pospliance, braving every danger, and seal- sible, and for that reason he was exing cheerfully their testimony in defence tremely reluctant to consent to the aboliof Christ's Crown and Covenant with tion of patronage. For the same reason,
their blood. The ministers of the first the act re-establishing the Church revived
party were not more than sixty, those of the act of the year 1592, instead of the
the last only three, while those of the more perfect acts which were passed at
middle party amounted to' more than the close of the Second Reformation,
double the number of both the others carefully avoiding all mention of the Nacombined.  It was perfectly manifest, tional Covenant and the Solemn League
therefore, that no measure which the and Covenant.    To have mentioned
more faithful and zealous party should these and acknowledged their obligation,
propose could be carried, if the middle would unquestionably have put an end to
party should resolve to oppose it; and all possibility of including the prelatists
there was no reason to hope that men within the National Church; and it
who had tamely submitted to the tyranny might have given, at the same time,
of Charles and James, and even bowed ground of serious alarm to the Church
beneath the prelatic yoke, would readily of England, which his majesty was not
assume an attitude of bold resistance to in a condition to hazard.  But even
the Erastian policy of William.  Ac- with these conflicting interests and, decordingly, from the very hour when it signs operating to the detriment of the
met, the Assembly was laid under an Revolution Settlement, it approaches very
almost fatal necessity of entering into a near to what it ought to have been,compromise, and keeping in comparative much more so than many will allow.
abeyance what its wisest and best mem- The various acts restoring Presbyterian
bers knew to be the great and essential church government never assume the
principles of  the  true  Presbyterian tone of conferring power, but merely reChurch.                              move obstructions by rescinding the
Such being the estate of affairs, it was tyrannical and unconstitutional, enacts
not strange that the Revolution Settle- mentsof Charles and James,. and thereby
ment was defective in several very im- permitting the Church to put forth anew
portant respects.  The chief of these its own intrinsic powers,  These acts
arose out of the Erastian policy of Wil- gave nothing to the Church which she
lian, and his unwise desire to include the did not previously possess:; they did not
prelatic clergy within the established even pretend to restore what had been
Church of Scotland, in both of which taken away; but! they broke the fetters
views he was supported by the temporiz- which had been forcibly imposed, and
ing management of Carstares.  This is allowed? the Church to resume the exermanifest from the two leading maxims cise of her own. indestructible energies
recommended to his majesty by that and inalienable rights, derived from her
politic divine; which were, to avoid giv- own Divine and only Head and King.
ing the slightest ground to either of the This was at least a tacit recognition of the
contending parties, for supposing that he great truth, that the State can neither
entertained more regard for the one than give nor take away any of the tru4v
the other; and, to be extremely cautious      L Iife of Carstares, pp. 40,.42.
39




306             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.           [CHAP. VIII.
essential powers of a Church. These deeply dyed in the guilt of the persecuare derived from  Christ alone.  The tion were received into the bosom of that
State may obstruct their public and na- Church which they had so long striven
tional exercise, or give them freedom and utterly to destroy. It was absolutely imencouragement; but it can neither create possible that such men could become true
them nor destroy them, though it may Presbyterians; and the very alacrity
destroy itself in the wicked and vain with which many of them subscribed the
attempt.                             Confession of Faith, only proved the
The conduct of the Church is, per- more clearly that they were void of
haps, more censurable than that of Wil- either faith or honour. Their admission
liam. It was the duty of the Church to into the Presbyterian Church of Scottake care that none of her inherent prin- land was the most fatal event which ever
ciples should be overborne and fall into occurred in the strange eventful history
abeyance at such a juncture. She could of that Church.  It infused a baneful
not of herself repeal any act of parlia- poison into her very heart, whence, eye
ment; and her appropriate attitude was long, flowed forth a lethal stream, corthat of calmly and respectfully, but rupting and paralyzing her whole frame.
firmly, stating her own principles and It sowed the noxious seed which gradupowers, and leaving it to the State to ally sprang up, and expanded into the
rescind those despotic and unchristian deadly upas-tree of Moderatism, shedding
enactments which impeded their free ex- a mortal blight over the whole of her
ercise. Where that was not obtained, it once fair and fruitful vineyard, till it
was her duty to remonstrate and petition; withered into a lifeless wilderness.
and if still unsuccessful, then to enter  It was, in short, the weak policy of all
such declarations and protests as should parties at that time, to temporise and
reserve her rights till a more propitious watch the progress of events; to keep
period might arrive, when they could be concealed, or at least undeveloped, their
re-assertedand obtained. Instead of this, own ruling principles, without any inyielding to the force of external circum- tention of abandoning them; and thus,
stances and internal dissensions, she by a process of general and deceptive
abstained from the bold and free state- compromise, to give time to the still seethment of those great: principles which at ing elements of the great revolutionary
the same time she continued to hold, movement to subside and gradually crysseeking a temporary peace by a weak tallize into their most congenial forms.
suppression or concealment of what she The king so far relinquished his Erasthought it inexpedient to avow, yet could tianism as to abolish Prelacy and patron.
not abandon.  Though the acts of par- age, and to pass general enactments giv
liament made no mention of the Second ing the sanction of law to the liberated
Reformation and the National Covenants, Presbyterian Church; but he carefully
it was the direct duty of the Church to avoided all mention of the Second Rehave declared her adherence to both; formation and the National Covenants,
and though the State had still refused to although the very act abolishing patronrecognise them, the Church would, by age was in itself a virtual ratification of all
this avowal, have at least escaped from  that tthe Church had done in that period of
being justly exposed to the charge of hav- her greatest purity and faithfulness. The
ing submitted to a violation,of her own Church abstained from the direct mention
sacred Covenants. In the same spirit of of her Covenants, partly in compliance
compromise, the Church showed herself -with the known wishes of his majesty,
but too ready to comply with the king's and partly in consequence of the relucpernicious policy, of including as many tance of many of her own members to
as possible of the prelatic clergy within refer to those sacred bonds, the very menthe National Church. This was begun tion of which would have been a severe
by the first General Assembly, and con- condemnation of their own previous continued for several succeeding  years, duct; but there are such allusions to the
though not to'the full extent wished by Covenants in several of the acts of that
William, till a very considerable number Assembly, as to show distinctly that the
of those men whose hands had been best and ablest of the ministers still ac



A. D. 1689.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   307
knowledged their obligation, and wished full and perfect as it might have been
to act in their spirit.  The Jacobites and made, did, nevertheless, contain and disthe Prelatic party were sufficiently lavish play, either directly or virtually, all the
of their professions of loyalty to King great principles of the Presbyterian
William, and of their earnest desire of Church for which she had so long consuch moderate measures of church policy tended, removing  several restrictions
as might comprehend all forms and per- which had been left in force by the act
suasions within one National Church; of 1592, in particular the clause relating
but they were at the same time maintain- to patronage; and realized to both the
ing a private intercourse with James, and Church and the kingdom an amount of
cherishing the hopes of speedily obtain- civil and religious liberty greatly beyond
ing such an ascendency in both Church what had ever previously been enjoyed.
and State as might enable them to repeal By the ratification of the Confession of
all that had been done, and resume their Faith, the great and sacred principle of
reign of terror.*  The Cameronian Co- Christ's sole Headship and Sovereignty
venanters alone disdained to stoop to corn- over the Church, and its direct consepromise or concealment, boldly avowed quence, her spiritual independence, were
their principles, and loudly censured the affirmed; and by the abolition of patronChurch for want of faithfulness and zeal, age, the religious rights and privileges
especially, because in the Revolution Set- of the Christian people were secured, as
tlement no direct recognition had been far as security could be given by human
made of the National Covenants, and of legislation. Its defects were of a negathe Reformation which these solemn tive rather than of a positive character;
bonds had been so instrumental in effect- and though some vitiating elements were
ing; but while they deserve the praise allowed to remain, and some others introdue to courage and consistency, it may duced, of which it could not have been
be doubted whether their own conduct very safely predicted whether the prodid not tend to injure the very cause which gress of events would cause their develthey wished to promote. Had they joined opement or their extinction, still it merits
the Church in a body, without any com- its lofty designation, the Glorious Revopromise, recording their protests against lution; and for it, and the precious blesthose omissions of which they complained, sings which it secured to the empire at
they might have contributed powerfully large, our grateful thanks are due, under
to counteract the pernicious influence of Providence, to the persecuted but unconthose men of lax principles and prelatic querable Presbyterian Church of Scottendencies who were but too willing to land.
enter; whereas by standing aloof, and  Soon after the Assembly rose, the Comindulging too much in the utterance of mission which had been appointed to visit
sharp and bitter censures of their bre- and purify the Church, by making inthren, they gave a repulsive aspect to quiry into the state of religion and the
their cause, alienated the minds of many conduct of ministers throughout the kingwhom a different course would have dom, began its labours. The instructions
gained, and furnished somewhat of plausi- given by the Assembly were exceedingly
bility to the statements of those who loved cautious, for the purpose of preventing
to declaim against the intolerance of Pres- any thing which might even,bear the
byterians, and who were ready enough to semblance of severity and oppression.
refer to the language and conduct of the The Commission were not empowered
Cameronians as the inevitable result to to depose any minister summarily, nor to
which Presbyterian principles led, instead receive every kind of accusation: the
of being,'as it really was, the intemperate only charges which they were allowed
outbreak of honest but imprudent zeal, in investigate were, " Doctrine inconsistent
high-minded and fearless men, who had with the Confession of Faith," and " Conbeen roused by persecution and irritated versation unbecoming the grace of the
by disappointment.                   Gospel," and these were to be substantiEvery candid reader will perceive, that ated by *sufficient evidence. A considerthe Revolution Settlement, though not so able number of worthless men were dev Burnet's Own Times, vol. ii. 74.  posed from the ministry, on account of




308            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VIII
their grossly vicious and immoral con- other half of these admitted Prelansts.*
duct; few for unsoundness of doctrine; This was an extent of compromise to
and very few for a conscientious ad- which theChurchwas notpreparedtosubherence to the forms of Episcopacy. mit. The General Assembly had frankly
The greatest error committed by the consented that the curates should not be
Church of Scotland consisted in a degree disturbed  in the possession  of their
of leniency, and readiness to admit " on churches and stipends on account of their
the easiest terms" into the bosom of the views of church government,-a degree
Church its most deadly enemies, which of toleration and forbearance totally unalmost amounted to either a suicidal in- known to Prelacy in any age or country;
fatuation, or a treacherous dereliction of but to admit their persecutors to the enjoyprinciple.                            ment of equal power of government in the
[1691.1 The year 1691 was chiefly Church whichtheyhad striven tu destroy,
employed by the Church of Scotland in was what the king ought never to have
repairing its broken walls, and rebuild- asked, and what the Assembly could not
ing its ruined temple, impeded by the grant. At the same time, the conduct of
most violent assaults which its inveterate the Prelatists was violent and insulting
enemies, the Jacobites and the Prelatists, in the extreme.  They seemed to regard
now  thoroughly united, could make. themselves as on the point of being not
Loud were the outcries of oppression only restored to equal power, but of obraised by the disarmed tyrants, whose taining a decided ascendency; and they
own deeds in their day of power had gave no obscure indications of the temper
made Scotland a field of blood.  Their and spirit in which they were prepared to
complaints were carried to the ears of exercise it. But the Assembly remained
William, and repeated incessantly in the firm; and when the commissioner, the
most exaggerated terms, till they made Earl of Lothian, found that they could
some impression on his mind, and in- neither be intimidated nor deluded, he, in
duced him to write twice to the Com- his majesty's name, declared the Assemmission, urging the admission of the pre- bly dissolved.  The moderator asked
latic clergy. Irritated by the failure of whether it were to be dissolved without a
his scheme based on a compromise, the day being named for the meeting of anking adjourned the meeting of the Assem- other. His grace replied, that his majesty
bly from  November 1691 till January would appoint another in due season, of
1692, in the hope that this mark of his which they should receive timely notice.
displeasure might render the Church The moderator then declared the intrinsic
more compliant.                       power of the Church to meet in the name
[1692.] The General Assembly met of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Head
on the 15th of January 1692, and re- and King thereof, for the discharge of its
ceived a letter from his majesty, convey- necessary spiritual affairs; and that its
ing sufficiently plain indications of his dissolution now should be without prejudissatisfaction with the proceedings of the dice to its right to meet annually, accordCommission. He censured them for not ing to the laws of the kingdom.    He
having complied with his desire, that those then named the third Wednesday of
who were willing to conform should be August 1693 for the next meeting, and
admitted to the full possession of all the concluded in the usual form, dissolving
rights and privileges enjoyed by them- the Assembly after prayer, and praise,
selves; and, that there might be no doubt and blessing. 
respecting the full amount of what he   Great was the excitement caused by
wished, he signified his pleasure that this most injudicious procedure on the
those of the Episcopalian persuasion who part of the king; but the calmness of the
were willing to sign the Confession of ministers, waiting with deliberate intreFaith  should  not only retain their pidity the issue of their adherence to theiI
churches, but also be admitted to sit and principles, and to the constitution of the
act in church judicatories; and that the  MS. Minutes of the Assembly; Volume of Tracts.
Commission of Assembly should be conm-   Burnet's Own Times, vol.,1. pp. 87, 88; MIS. Min.
posed of one-half Prebyteians and the utes; Tracts; Willison's Fair appnd ImpartialTestimony
posed of one-half Presbyterians, and the pp. 25, 26; Hog'n Memoirs, pp. 64, 65.




A. D 1692.J     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    309
country, contributed greatly to prevent perilous matters to manage. The Jacothe ferment from producing any convul- bite party, and especially the prelatic
sion.  They had done their duty, and clergy, had still continued to evade as far
they were ready patiently to meet the as possible the direct recognition of Wilresult.  The fearful massacre of Glen- liam as king. A new oath was framed
coe, which took place about the same for the purpose of putting an end to these
time, tended also both to divide the atten- evasions, termed the Oath of Assurance,
tion of the public mind, and to direct its because it declared William and Mary
indignation so strongly against the Scot- king and queen, both de jure and de facto
tish administration, that they did not dare -both rightfully and in reality.  This
to provoke additional hostility by further oath caused nearly equal dissatisfaction
interference with the Church.  A season to both the Prelatic clergy and the Presof half-suppressed dissatisfaction, intrigue, byterian ministers. The former were disand jealousy prevailed, tending greatly to posed to refuse it, because it was contrary
alienate the mind of Scotland from Wil- to their secret, yet dete:mined, allegiance
iam, and fostering the hopes of the Jaco- to James; the latter, because they rebites, that they might ere long succeed in garded the imposition of any civil oaths
overturning the government, and bring- as a qualification to sit in church courts,
ing back the exiled king.            as an Erastian encroachment upon the
[1693.] In the spring of the year 1693, freedom of a Christian Church, although
the Scottish parliament again met, in cir- they had no positive objection to the oath
cumstances certainly very far from pro- itself. The enactment of this oath was,
pitious, though somewhat less fraught neverthless, carried in the parliament,
with the elements of strife than had been there being a tacit understanding that it
the case during the preceding year. The would not be rigorously enforced.
chief management of affairs was intrusted  Another act was passed on the 12th of
to Secretary Johnston, son of the cele- June, "for settling the quiet and peace of
brated Warriston, chiefly because of the the Church," the object of which was to
respect entertained for that family by the promote the admission of the prelatic clerPresbyterians.  The great difficulty to gy to the full enjoyment of all the privilebe surmounted was with regard to the ges of the Presbyterian Church. After
General Assembly.  The king had no ordaining that no person be admitted as a
intention of calling an Assembly, and the minister or preacher within this Church,
Church was determined to hold one on till he take the oaths of allegiance and asthe day specified by the last, moderator, surance,-subscribe the Confession of
in virtue of its own inherent powers. But Faith, acknowledge Presbyterian church
great apprehensions were entertained that, government, and conform to its worship
if this was done, the king might be so and discipline,-the act, after addressing
highly offended as to proceed to enforce his majesty with an humble request to call
coercive measures, and probably to throw  a General Assembly for the ordering of
the kingdom  into a convulsion.  The the affairs of the Church, and the admisgreat endeavour of Johnston was, to per- sion to the exercise of church government
suade the Church to desist from meeting of those ministers prossessing churches
on the appointed day; and to induce the who had not yet conformed, provides,
ministers to submit so far, he promised to "that if any of the said ministers who have
prevail upon the parliament to address not been hitherto received into the governthe king, requesting that an Assembly ment of the Church, shall offer to qualify
might be held. By great exertions he themselves, and to apply in manner foresucceeded in the accomplishment of his said, they shall have their majesties' full
scheme, and by this new compromise protection, aye and until they shall be adpartially saved the honour of both the mitted and received in manner foresaid."
king and the Church, neither directly The meaning of the latter clause is, that
yielding to the other, and both abandon- if the Assembly should refuse to admit to
ing the antagonist attitudes which they a participation in church government
had assumed.*                       those of the Prelatists who might apply
But there were other and scarcely less for it, his majesty would not attempt to
* arstares' State Papers. p. 160.  compel the Assembly to admit them, but




310            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. VIII.
would secure to them the possession of cy which it so long enjoyed. and so griev
their churches, manses, and stipends. ously abused.
Even in that act there is a distinct recog-  These acts it seemed expedient to state
nition of the independence of the Church and explain at considerable length, bein spiritual matters. Anxious as the king cause of the erroneous notions which
was to secure the admission of the preta- prevail so widely regarding them. It is
tic incumbents into the National Qhurch not strange that the leaders and adherents
of Scotland, he did not attempt to employ of that party which owed its being to the
any directly compulsive measures for at- defects of the Revolution Settlement,
taining the object on which he was so should endeavour to represent these demuch bent. Admission to an equal share fects as positive merits.e  And there are
in church government was for the Church many so enamoured of that which proalone to give or to withhold; but the en- fesses to secure " quiet and peace," that
joyment of the fruits of the benefice was they yield at once the homage of their
a civil matter, and that he could bestow  weak applause to whatsoever employs
according to his pleasure, —with the these terms, however fallaciously,-unastrong conviction, that those who pos- ble apparently to distinguish between
sessed the wealth would ere long obtain that peace which is but the appalling
possession also of the power.        stillness of a deadly lethargy, and that
The baneful effects of this act did not peace which is the harmonious movement
immediately appear in their full extent; of warm and energetic life. But it is
for the heavings of the Revolution had desirable for the true friends and memnot yet completely subsided. The Pre- hers of the Church of Scotland to know,
latists still entertained the hope that the that almost all the defects which have at
exiled monarch might be yet restored; any time marred her beauty and impaired
and therefore they were not eager in her usefulness, have been caused by the
pressing for admission into the Presbyte- unwise and unhallowed influence of
rian Church, which they could not enter kings, and statesmen, and politicians of a
without swearing allegiance to William, lower order, within her pale and withand obedience to Presbyterian church out, obstructing the free developement of
government, which their whole heart her pure scriptural principles, and endealonged to subvert; and the Presbyterians, vouring to infuse into her system the eleaware of the king's strong desire for a ments of a worldly policy, more conge"comprehension" of both parties within nial to themselves, but fatally pernicious
the National Church, of which they to any true Christian Church.
could not approve, and of the jealousy  It has been already stated that a spewith which he regarded themselves,-  cies of mutual compromise took place
influenced also by a temperate and for- between the State and the Church, for
giving Christian spirit towards their ene- the purpose of avoiding a destructive colmies,-did not eagerly institute proceed- lision. The General Assembly, in conings against those of the Prelatists who sequence of this arrangement, was not
still refused to conform and make appli- held on theday named by the moderator;
cation to be admitted, but allowed them  but a proclamation was issued appointing
to retain possession of their manses, sti- it to meet at a later period of the same
pcnds, and even churches, sending mere- year. The absence of the king on the
ly from time to time Presbyterian minis- continent, and the entire engrossment of
ters to preach and instruct the people in his mind by wars and continental politics,
those parishes where the curates still con- led to another adjournment, so that no
tinued to reside. But in the course of a meeting of Assembly was held that year
series of years the pernicious consequen- at all, and additional time was thereby
ces of the act became but too apparent, in allowed for the animosity of the antagothe numbers of unfaithful, irreligious, and nists either to ripen or subside. It soon
worldly-minded men, who were admitted appeared that the former had been the
into the Church, and who, joining natu- case, to a remarkable degree.
rally with the lax moderate party already  [1694.] A short time previous to the
within it, gave to that party the ascenden-  Cook's History of he Reformation, vol. iii. p. 453




A. D. 1693.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.'11
meeting of the Assembly, which had with the king, he went to the messenger,
been appointed to take place in March and in his majesty's name demanded
1694, the ministers applied to the privy from him the papers with which he had
council to be released from the necessity been intrusted. It was now late, but the
of taking the oaths of allegiance and as- welfare of the Church and kingdom was
surance, especially since these oaths had wavering on the point of the passing monot been enforced with regard to the Pre- ment, and Carstares hastened to the king
latists. The council refused to comply The lord in waiting informed him that
with this request; and instructions were his majesty had retired to repose; but
issued in the name of his Majesty, not to Carstares insisted on being admitted to
permit any member to take his seat till his presence even at that unseasonable
he had taken the oaths. The ministers hour. Entering the chamber, he found
were equally resolute not to take the the king fast asleep; but turning the curoaths, and yet to hold an Assembly. tain aside, and falling on his knees, he
They had consented to refrain from hold- gently awoke him. The king, surprised
ing the previous meeting appointed by to see him at so late an hour, and in such
their own intrinsic authority and rights, a posture, inquired what was the matter.
in order to avoid an immediate collision,  I come," he answered, " to beg my life."
and to allow time to his Majesty to recon- "Is it possible," said the king, " that you
sider the line of conduct on which he can have been guilty of a crime that dewas entering; but they had reached the serves death?"  He acknowledged that
extreme limits of prudent forbearance, he had, and then produced the despatches
and they would not submit to the sacri- which he had brought back from the
fice of a sacred principle and inherent messenger. "Have you indeed presuright, to whatsoever perils the assertion med," exclaimed William, frowning seof principles indestructible and rights in- verely, " to countermand my orders?"
alienable might expose them. Such was Carstares begged leave to be heard only
the state of matters when Lord Carmi- a few words, and then he would submit
chael, who had been appointed commis- to any punishment which his majesty
sioner, arrived in Edinburgh. Perceiv- might think proper to inflict. The king
ing clearly the extreme peril in which gave him permission to explain his conthe peace and safety of both Church and duct, and listened attentively to his statenation was placed, the commissioner im- ment respecting the peculiar principles,
mediately despatched a messenger to the views, and position of the Church of
king, who had recently returned to Lon- Scotland, and the malicious intrigues and
don, with an account of the state of af- misrepresentations of her enemies, and
fairs, and a request for further instruc- to the clear proof which he adduced, that
tions. At the same time the ministers the Presbyterians were the only party m
sent a memorial to Carstares, earnestly that country who were truly attached to
requesting his interference with his Ma- his majesty's person and government.
jesty in behalf of the Church at this cri- The king remained for a moment in
tical juncture. When the express reach- deep and thoughtful silence, then comed the King, Carstares happened not to manded him to throw the despatches into
be at hand, and before he returned to the fire, and drew up new instructions to
court, William, by the advice of Stair the commissioner in whatsoever terms he
and Tarbet, who represented the conduct thought best, and he would sign them.
of the Church as obstinate and rebellious, Carstares immediately wrote to his grace,
renewed his orders in more peremptory signifying that it was his majesty's pleaterms, and commanded them to be re- sure to dispense with putting the oaths to
turned by the same messenger. Carstares the ministers.  This was signed by the
returned the same evening, received and king, and sent off by the messenger,
perused the memorial which had been who was commanded to i se the utmost
sent to himself, immediately inquired into expedition in his power, that he might
the nature of the despatches which had reach Edinburgh before any collision
been ordered to be sent off to Scotland; should take place.
having ascertained this point, and avail-  The short delay caused by these transinghimself of his known free intercourse actions had retarded the messenger so




312             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VIII.
much that he did not reach the Scottish may be termed undue concession than to
capital till the morning of the day on persecution; and indeed heavy comwhich the Assembly was to meet. The plaints were made by many, and severe
most intense anxiety prevailed universal- reproaches uttered by some, against the
ly respecting the possible events of that conduct of the Assembly, as indicating
day. -The commissioner was bound by great laxity of principle, and tending to
his instructions to dissolve the Assembly, unfaithfulness in the important duty of
or rather to prevent its being held, unless preserving the purity and efficiency of
the oaths were previously taken; and the Church,-a charge which it would
the ministers were resolved to assert and not be easy to meet with a complete and
maintain the intrinsic rights and liberties satisfactory vindication.
of the Church, as independent of the    Other acts of that Assembly deserve
civil magistrate; but both looked for- attention, as indicating the state both of
ward to the struggle with dark anticipa- the Church and of the country, such as
tions of disaster to the Church, and ruin an " Act appointing some ministers for
to the peace and welfare of the commu- the supply of the north,"-" Act for
nity.  The messenger arrived,-the in- the better regulating transportations of
structions were read,-and it was felt, ministers,"-'" Act anent intrusion upon
that He in whose hands are the hearts kirks,"-and "Act against fixing in the
of kings had interposed and given deli- Lowlands of preachers who have the
verance to his own free spiritual king- Irish (Gaelic) language."  It will be redom in the hour of extremest danger.* membered that throughout the whole hisThis timely concession, made by the king tory of the Church of Scotland, the
to the just claims and sacred inherent northern districts had been the least thorights of the Church of Scotland, may roughly Presbyterian, and the readiest to
be regarded as one of the most impor- comply with whatever Erastian and Pretant and instructive events recorded in latic measures were proposed by the king
her history; proving that the path of and the government.   The Highland
duty is the path of safety,-that when ad- counties had not indeed been ever fully
herence to sacred principle, like a divine reformed from  Popery, and therefore
command, says, " Go forward!" a divine were the more disposed to rest in, or repower will point out and guide along the turn to, the intermediate state of Prelacy;
opening way,-and that the cloud which nearly all the Highland ministers accordseemed surcharged with danger will de- ingly conformed cheerfully and at once
scend pregnant with blessings. It was to Prelacy at the restoration of Charles
deeply felt by all parties, that the Pres- II. At the Revolution a large proporbyterian Church was now indeed the Es- tion of them refused to conform again to
tablished Church of Scotland.        the Presbyterian Church, and did their
The General Assembly met, in the utmost to keep the people in the same
full enjoyment of its spiritual indepen- state of hostility against the Revolution
dence, on the 29th of March.  Grateful, Settlement, both in Church and State.
but not unduly elated with the victory Some of them were ejected by the privy
which God had granted to their firm ad- council; but by far the greater number
herence to their principles, they proceed- were allowed to remain in the possession
ed to the discharge of their important du- of their ecclesiastical position and ternties; and instead of exhibiting pride and poral emoluments.  It was evidently a
severity in the hour of triumph, they matter of great importance for the Genepassed an act respecting the instructions ral Assembly to provide such a remedy
to be given to the Commission for receiv- for this injurious state of affairs as it was
ing the ministers who had conformed competent for them to do. They did not
to Prelacy into ministerial communion, seek to have these ministers silenced and
granting very nearly all that the king ejected by the civil power, as the Prelahad required for giving facility to the ad- tists had done to them; but they sent supmission of these ministers.t  This cer- plies of able and zealous ministers to
tainly approached more nearly to what those districts where either there were
vacant churches, or where prelatic dark-' Life of Carstares, pp. 57-61.'Assembly of.   o      e     a  i 
1694, act xi.                        ness prevailed. This they accomplished




A. D. 1694.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   313
by appointing the southern synods to send specified.  Not only was there a great
such proportions of their members as deficiency of duly qualified ministers for
should furnish sixteen among them, who the immediate supply of all the parishes
were to remain in the north three months, upon the re-establishment of the Presby
to be replaced by a similar number for terian Church, and an equal deficiency of
an equal time, throughout the course of preachers to meet the natural demands
the year.*  This process was continued arising from the death of incumbents, but
from  year to year for a considerable there was also a great difference in the
time, the number sent gradually dimin- characters of the  existing ministers.
ishing as the churches became supplied Those who had conformed to Prelacy
with Presbyterian ministers permanently during its usurped domination, had both
settled.                             sustained a real and personal injury from
This mode of sending merely tempo- the deadening effect on their own minds
rary supplies was rendered inevitable by of their weak and sinful compliance, and
the paucity of ministers in the whole had also sunk in the estimation of all
kingdom.   For during the time of the men of sound principle and firm integripersecution there were few that could ob- ty. On the other hand, the faithful mintain means and opportunities of being isters, who had braved all dangers and
educated for the ministry, and it was held sufferings in defence of religious liberty
treason for the ejected Presbyterian min- and truth, were regarded with great love
isters to ordain young men even when and veneration by the people generally;
properly qualified.  It was consequently and happy was that parish which could
impossible at once to supply all the par- secure the ministrations of one of these
ishes in the kingdom with regular minis- honoured and revered servants of the
ters, though there had been no obstruction. Lord. When, therefore, any parish in
And, besides, many of the Highland which a curate, a conformed or an incongregations understood no language dulged minister, had been the incumbent,
but Gaelic, on which account it was that became vacant, the most strenuous endeapreachers who could speak that tongue vours were made by the parishioners
were not permitted to settle in the Low- to procure the translation of one of the
lands.  Great encouragement was at the faithful few from his own, perhaps smaller
same time offered to the Highland youth, and less important sphere of labour, and
by giving them bursaries, to induce them  his settlement among themselves.  It ofto prepare themselves for the office of the ten happened that two or more vacant
ministry among their countrymen; and parishes gave a call to the same minister,
by some acts of subsequent Assemblies, and then arose a contest who should obno minister was allowed to refuse a call tain him. His own parish strove to prefrom a parish in the north, however re- vent his removal,-the others were as ealuctant he might be to leave his present ger to have him removed; a sharp consituation. Such was the attention shown tention not unfrequently occurred, termiby the General Assembly to the spiritual nated only by the decision of the supeinstruction of the Highlanders in their rior church courts, being appealed from
own language,-a degree of practical one to another, till it reached the General
Christian wisdom which it required the Assembly. Yet these were essentially
lapse of centuries for the Episcopalian contests of love.  They were not caused
Establishment in Ireland even to begin to by the opposition of the people to the setlearn to imitate. It is indeed, a melan- tlement of an unacceptable minister, but
choly fact, that no Prelatic Church has by the eager anxiety of the people to obever attempted, as a church, to teach the tain a good and beloved minister.  The
body of the people, though individual contests arising from the resistance of
clergymen have laboured zealously in the a religious people to the settlement among
discharge of that all-important and im- them  of an irreligious and unfaithful
perative duty.                        minister, it was reserved as the disgraceThe necessity of an " Actfor regulating ful characteristic of patronage and modetransportations [translations] of ministers," ratism to produce; while the contests
arose out of some of the causes already which took place during the time when
Acts of Assembly.        patronage did not exist, and moderatism
40




314               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   [CHAP. VIII,
was in its infancy, were the kindly and      [1695-96.] The Genera1 Assembly
generous rivalries arising from   a deep  met on the 17th of December 1695, and
regard to gospel truth, and a warm affec- continued to sit till the 4th of January
tion to the zealous and devoted ambassa- 1696, no other meeting taking place dur.
dors of Christ.   Even then, the Assem- ing the remainder of the latter year.
bly, anxious to prevent the disagreement None of its acts are of peculiar imporwhich might possibly arise, passed the tance, being generally of the same tenor
act regulating transportations of minis- with those which have been already menters, and securing that, when such events tioned and explained.    The chief subtook place, they should be guided by re- ject which occupied the attentron of the
gard to what would most contribute to      Church was what ought always chiefly
the general good of the Church.           to occupy its attention-anxious care to
To give a full explanation of the promote, in the most efficient manner,
circumstances which caused the Assem- the moral and religious welfare of the
bly to pass an "Act anent Intrusion upon  community.    In this important task the
Kirks," might lead to too long a digres- Church was not less successful than zealsion from  the course of the narrative; ous; and the happiest results began to
but a few remarks are necessary.   It has appear throughout the kingdom.      Some
been already stated that a considerable    more direct countenance began to be givnumber of the Prelatic clergy were ex- en to the exertions of the Church by the
pelled from their churches by the privy    king; the most valuable proof of which
council in the summer of 1689.      In a   was the   act of parliament respecting
great majority of instances they returned, schools, realizing  what had been long
and resumed possession of both the cleri- and earnesily sought by the Presbyterian
cal office and   the temporal benefice. Church of Scotland, and by no other
And in the northern counties, where they   Church in    Christendom-a school in
were supported by the Jacobite nobility    every parish throughout the whole kingand gentry, they did so even after Pres- dom, so far supported by the public funds
byterian ministers had been settled in the as to render education accessible to even
churches out of which they had been le- the poorest in the community.
gaily ejected.  This was often done in       [1697.] The year 1697 presents noththe most violent and disorderly manner, ing demanding attention so far as the
the ejected Prelatists coming to the church  Church is concerned; for it is unnecessaaccompanied by a band of Jacobite gentle- ry to repeat statements respecting the
men and their serfs, rudely intruding      steady and persevering care for the prothemselves upon the assembled worship- motion of religion displayed by the Aspers, expelling the Presbyterian minister, sembly in the passing of acts against proand taking forcible possession of both fanenessand immorality-enjoiningfamichurch and manse, in direct defiance of    ly worship-directing ministers in the
the law.   Against this conduct the Gen- discharge of their sacred duties-and
eral Assembly complained, in the above- urging the utmost diligence in supplying
mentioned act, and applied to the lords of the deficiences still existing in the norththe privy council for redress and protec- ern counties.
tion.  So undeniable and so flagrantly       [1698.] Almost the only thing which
illegal were the facts adduced by the As- requires mention in the year 1698, is the
sembly, that in the following session of act of parliament commonly termed the
parliament an act was passed on the sub- Rabbling Act.      The object of this act
ject, ordering the removal of those who    has been often misunderstood and misrehad so intruded, and enjoining the council to take some effectual course for pre-clandestine connection with the Church, under cover
to ta   some efectual c se for pre-of an unconstitutional enactment; and assuminga
venting the recurrence of similar illegal new name in its riper years, it obtained free scope for
acting according to its nature, to the paralyzed astonand forcible intrusions.*                 ishment of the Church whose powers it had contrived
furtively to seize, and to the terror and indignation of
It is somewhat instructive to trace what may be the aggrieved community. In what appears to be its
termed the personal history of intrusion. To the union period of decrepitude, clinging to civil magistracy,
of Jacobitism (that is, despotism) with Prelacy, it owes and sophistically misinterpreting statute law. it still
its parentage. In its rash youth it showed its character strives to perpetrate its old enormities, the moroseness;n the attempt to force itself into Presbyterian churches, of its aspect and the savage ferocity of its growl prov.
contrary both to the will of congregations and minis- ing that its native malignity is unabated, however
ters, and to the law itself. Forming afterwards a nearly it has reached the close of its baleful existence




A. D. 1695.]     HISTORY OF THE CHTRCH OF SCOTLAND.                    315
presented; and reference has been made either be very ignorant of the history of
to it as a proof that riotous proceedings the period, or must presume largely on
often took place at the settlement of min- the supposed ignorance of others.*
isters during the period when there was no  It has been stated that the rabbles alpatronage, to prevent which tumults was luded to were caused by irreligious and
one of the reasons assigned for its resto- immoral vagrants. This expression may
ration. What the real reasons for the seem to require explanation. In a pamphre-imposition of patronage were, we shall let written by the celebrated Fletcher of
have future occasion to show: meanwhile Salton, in the year 1698, entitled, Second
a very short statement will explain the Discourse concerning the Affairs of Scotcause of the passing of the Rabbling Act. land," it is stated that the beggars and
It has been already shown that the perti- vagrants who infested the country, subnacious obstinacy of the northern Ja- sisting solely by charity, or by riot and
cobites and Prelatists, both in refusing to pillage, amounted to at least two hundred
take the oaths to government, and in re- thousand people.  It was no difficult mattaining their churches, and intruding in- ter to collect together sufficient numbers
to those where Presbyterian ministers to create a rabble, or riotous mob, ready
had been placed, rendered an act of par- to engage in mischief and depredation of
liament necessary to prevent such con- any kind on the shortest notice, out of
duct.  But their hostility remaining un- such a formidable host of lawless and dechanged, they adopted another method of graded vagrants; and to them recourse
giving it scope without bringing them- was most unscrupulously had zy those
selves within the direct terms of the law. who wished to harass the Church of
They privately instigated the lowest, ru- Scotland, and disturb the peace of the
dest, and most immoral of the populace to country. But the question forces itself
assemble in a tumultuous manner at the upon the mind, " What led to the existchurches to which Presbyterian ministers ence of such a dreadful amount of poverhad been sent by the Assembly, or had ty and crime in Scotland at that period t?
been called by the more respectable and This, too, can be easily and satisfactorily
pious part of the congregation, and to explained.  Twenty-eight years of tyoffer every obstruction in their power; ranny and persecution had wasted the
not unfrequently inflicting severe person- land, reducing many of its most fertile
al injury upon the ministers.  These districts to the condition of a wilderness,
riotous mobs were often collected from  and throwing a vast proportion of the
other parishes, and in all cases they were middle and industrious classes into a state
persons who had no sense of religion of deep poverty. The inevitable consethemselves, so that their opposition was in quence was, that nearly all the lowest
no respect that of a conscientious resis- classes of the population  were both
tance to the settlement among them of thrown completely out of employment
a minister whose doctrinal opinions they by the ruin of the class immediately
regarded as unsound, whose character above them, and habituated to idleness,
failed to command their respect, or by vagrancy, and pillage, by the encouragewhose ministrations they felt that they ment and example of the devastating solcould not be edified.  The persons, in diery, and the use made of them to assist
short, who formed these riotous assem- in destroving the property of the respecblages were not the real congregations of table Presbyterians.  Thus the existence
the parishes where they occurred, but a of two hundred thousand vagrants, by
mere rabble of irreligious and immoral whom the country was so grievously invagrants, collected together by the Jaco- fested, was one of the direct results of the
bite politicians and the Prelatic clergy, attempt to establish Prelacy in Scotland;
for the purpose of creating disturbances, and it was no wonder that such people
and preventing the peaceful settlement of were ready, at the instigation of those
Presbyterian ministers. Those who re- around whose paths of carnage they had
fer to such scenes, and to the act of par- so long prowled and battened, to rush
liament passed for preventing them, as anew to their wonted task of perpetrating
proving that the want of patronage leads' See the act itself,-the tracts and pamphlets of the
to confusion and popular tumult, must period,-and the Patronage Report.




316            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. VIII,
insult and violence against the persons of formation, but continued to acknowledge
Presbyterian ministers, and of interrupt- the binding and descending obligation of
ing the most sacred ordinances of re- her National Covenants. In the parlialigion.                              ment of the same year an act was passed
It deserves also to be stated, as a point for securing the Protestant religion and
of principle, in answer to those who wish the Presbyterian church government and
to represent the Revolution Settlement of for preventing the growth of Popery.
the Church of Scotland as decidedly This was caused by the jealousy which
Erastian, and the Church itself as aban- was entertained respecting the probable
loning its own fundamental principles, effect of the alliances which the contiand not having courage to assert its own nental politics of William led him to form
intrinsic powers, that in 1698 the Corn- with Popish powers, together with the
jmission of Assembly published a paper, activity displayed by Popish and Jacobite
termed, "A Seasonable Admonition," in emissaries n endeavouring to propagate
which the following passage occurs:- their political and religious tenets, which
"We do believe and own, that Jesus were justly regarded as alike hostile to
Christ is the only Head and King of his civil liberty and religious truth.
Church; and that he hath instituted in  [1701.] The General Assembly held in
his Church officers and ordinances, order the year 1701 was called to discharge a
and government, and not left it to the will duty of a different kind from any that had
of man, magistrate, or church, to alter at for a considerable time occupied the attheir pleasure. And we believe that this tention of the Church.  This was the congovernment is neither Prelatical nor demnation of heresy, and the deposition of
Congregational, but Presbyterian, which one of its ministers for holding and denow, through the mercy of God, is esta- fending heretical opinions. Dr. George
blished among us; and we believe we Garden, one of the ministers of Aberdeen,
have a better foundation for this our had espoused the wild enthusiastic notions
church government than the inclination of Antonio Bourignon, and written a book
of the people or the laws of men."* The in defence of them. Refusing to retract
occasion of publishing this paper was to his opinions, the Assembly first convindicate the conduct of the Church from  demned the opinions themselves as heretthe accusations brought against it by the ical, and then deposed him from  the
Cameronians, and to prove that there was office of the ministry. It would be inexwas no just reason for these people to con- pedient to state here what these heretical
tinue in a state of separation from the Es- opinions were; but it may be mentioned
tablished Church.                    in passing., that some of them are much
[1699.] It is unnecessary to repeat that akin to several of those with which relithe Assembly of 1699 continued to pursue gion has been disturbed in our own times.
the laudable example set by its predecessors  [1702.] The year 1702 began its round
in the most strenuous exertions to promote in the midst of gloomy anticipations,
vital religion throughout the community. which were too soon and too completely
But it may be observed that this Assembly realized. When the Assembly met on
expressed its approbation of the "Season- the 6th of March, the commissioner, the
able Admonition," and therebygave to that Earl of Marchmont, communicated to
faithful assertion of Presbyterian principles them the melancholy intelligence of his
the sanction of the Assembled Church.  majesty's dangerous illness, and warned
[1700.1 The year 1700 presents little them  to expedite the despatch of all
demanding peculiar attention. In an act imperatively necessary business, and to
appointing a national fast, one of the prepare a Commission empowered to
causes mentioned by the Assembly is, watch over and maintain discipline and
"Our continued unfaithfulness to God, order in the Church, whatever might
notwithstanding of our solemn covenants take place. The Assembly manifested
and engagements."  This may fairly be equal propriety and judgment in the apregarded as proving that the Church of pointment of this Commission. All the
Scotland had not abandoned the ground old and experienced ministers ofthe period
occupied by the fathers of the Second Re- antecedent to the persecution, who were
Seasonable Admonition, p. 5.  still alive, were first nominated, and to




A. D. 1703.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  317
them  were added a sufficient number could not expect from  William.  The
of such others as were most distinguished proposals for a union between England
by experience and ability, ready to meet and Scotland which had latterly engrossed
the possible exigencies of a crisis so dan- much of William's thoughts, were again
gerous. For it was well understood that renewed and considerably forwarded,
the Jacobites anticipated an immediate though in the midst of much hostility and
change of measures upon the demise opposition.
of William and the accession of Anne;  [1703.] The prospect of peace and seand the Prelatists confidently expected a curity to the Church began again to dardegree of direct favour more answerable ken in the year 1703. The language of
to their wishes than the toleration or the the queen's letter appeared less favourable
comprehension schemes of the reigning than previous communications of the same
monarch.                             kind for several years past. Her majesty
King William died on the 8th day of renewed her assurances of protection to
March, 1702, in the ifty-second year of the Presbyterian  church government,
nis age, having reigned thirteen years and "as that which she found acceptable
one month. By the Church of Scotland to the inclinations of the people, and estaiis memory will ever be much and justly blished by the laws of the kingdom."  It
revered, as having been, under Provi- was feared that this might be regarded as
dence, the instrument by whom she was equivalent to a denial of its claim to any
delivered from Prelatic tyranny and per- higher and more sacred authority. But
secution. But it cannot be concealed, and the Assembly, in their answer, and esought not to be forgotten, that his sys- pecially in an address to her majesty, did
teinatic treatment of the Presbyterian not hesitate to assert their true position.
Church was both unwise, ungrateful, and In the latter document their language is
injurious. If he did not succeed in bring- peculiarly strong and explicit; reminding
ing her under an Erastian yoke, it was her majesty that the Reformation from
not for want of inclination to have done Popery in Scotland was by presbyters,so. But by the gracious support of God that the Claim of Right had declared
she was enabled to be faithful to her against Prelacy as a great and insupportDivine Head and King, and He did able grievance,-and that by the acts of
not forsake her in her hour of trial and parliament founded thereon, " Presbydanger. And though the Church did not terian church government was settled, as
in all points take the high ground to agreeable to the Word of God, and most
which her principles ought to have led conducive to the advancement of true
her, and yielded compliance in matters piety and godliness, and the establishment
where she ought to have maintained of peace and tranquillity, and therefore to
an attitude of uncompromising firmness, bethe only government of Christ's Church
yet, remembering her wasted and weak within this kingdom."*  On a subsecondition, the many perilous and distract- quent session, on the thirteenth day of the
ing circumstances surrounding her, and Assembly's meeting, the records of several
even the biassing influence of gratitude to synods were under consideration, in which
her earthly deliverer, it seems but just to the intrinsic power of the church courts
say, that instead of harsh upbraiding cen- to meet and deliberate in all spiritual
sure, the conduct of the Church deserves, matters on their own sole authority was
upon the whole, the tribute of grateful very strongly stated; but while the Asapprobation.                         sembly was preparing to express full and
In the parliament which met in June, entire concurrence in these sentiments,
after the accession of Queen Anne, an act the commissioner, Lord Seafield, rose and
was passed, similar to those passed on proceeded to dissolve the meeting in her
former occasions, securing the Protestant majesty's name. This was met by an
religion and the Presbyterian church immediate though brief remonstrance,
government.  This was thought ne- and by protests from great numbers of
cessary, on account of the danger appre- the members; and though the Assembly
hended from the intrigues of the Jacobites, did not continue to sit, there being no pewho entertained sanguine anticipations of culiarly urgent business before it, and havfavour from James's daughter which they' Acts of Assembly, year 1703, p. 16.




318             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. VIII.
ing already continued thirteen days, the weakened by the failure of the attempted
dissolution did not take place till the next aggression, and the Church gained ir
day of the meeting was named,and the meet- character and moral strength. Some very
ing concluded with the usualsolemnities.* important steps were taken by this As.
Regarding their cause as rapidly rising sembly, with regard to providing schools
towards the re-assumption of superiority, and other modes of religious instruction
the Prelatic party attempted to procure for the Highlands, which subsequently
from parliament an exemption from the ripened  into that noble institution of
necessity of taking the oaths to govern- Christian benevolence, the Society for
ment; and anticipating success, they pro- Propagating  Religious  Knowledge.
ceeded to renew   their intrusion into Thus, in the midst of all her perils and all
parishes, and in several instances took her contests, did the Church of Scotland
forcible possession of the churches. But persevere in discharging her duty to her
their precipitation and violence tended to Head and King, by promoting the growth
defeat their object. The Duke of Argyle and welfare of His spiritual kingdom.
and the Earl of Marchmont procured the  [1705.1 The year 1705 presents little
passing of an act for the protection of of importance to demand attention.  Theb
Presbyterian  church  government, ex- records of the Church prove that great
pressed in the very terms of the Assembly's care continued to be taken to promote the
address to the queen, quoted above.f  To interests of religion in every part of the
narrate the further proceedings of this kingdom, particularly the Highlands.
parliament, and in particular the passing But the public mind was deeply occuof that remarkable act for protecting the pied with those two great political subinterests and liberties of Scotland from  jects,-the settlement of the order of sucsuffering through foreign influence, is the cession to the throne, and the proposals for
appropriate task of the civil historian.  It union between Scotland and England.
is merely alluded to here for the purpose The latter was the more important of the
of showing that the Scottish character was two, and caused the most intense anxiety
resuming its native bold and independent in both kingdoms.  It was felt by all
spirit, in proportion to the growing in- parties, that unless a union upon satisfacfluence and energy of the Presbyterian tory terms could be accomplished, a fierce
Church, and enabling the nation to as- devastating war was not unlikely to arise,
sume such an attitude as to convince En- in which Scotland would certainly reglish  statesmen  that it could not be ceive aid from France, and both countries
trampled upon with impunity.  Had it might sustain irreparable injury. Mutual
been otherwise, Scotland might very soon apprehensions of danger served to counhave become an English province, but an terbalance the mutual jealousies of the
incorporating union would never have two kingdoms; and commissioners were
taken place.                          appointed by the two parliaments to meet
[1704.] When the Assembly met in and arrange the preliminaries of a Treaty
1704, no time was lost in asserting the in- of Union. In passing this act, the Scotherent rights and intrinsic powers of the tish parliament expressly restricted the
Church.   In the answer to the queen's commissioners from treating at all about
letter the following significant passage the government, worship, and discipline
occurs: " We are now again, with your of the Church.*  The nomination of the
majesty's countenance and favour, met in Scottish commissioners was left to the
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a queen, which prevented the intrigues of
national assembly.": The synod records, the parties who wished to prevent the
to avoid the ratification of which had been Treaty of Union from being concluded.
one great cause of the precipitate dis-  [1706.] Several valuable acts were
solving of the preceding Assembly, were passed by the Assembly of 1706, respectdeliberately produced, approved, and rati- ing the internal purity and efficiency of
fled, so that nothing was gained by the the Church.  One of these was of consicivil power, and nothing lost by the derable importance, enjoining presbyteries
Church; or rather, the civil power was to be more frequent and conscientious in
visiting the several parishes within their
< Willison's Testimony, p. 31. t Acts of Parliament; visiting the several parishes within their
Lockhart'saMemoirs, vol. i. p. 65.  t Acts of Assembly.' Carstares' State Papers, p. 75U.




A. D. 1706.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   319
bounds, for the purpose not more of sti-  Again retiring from the province of the
mulating than of encouraging ministers civil historian, which the discussion of
in the discharge of their important duties. such subjects would lead us to invade, we
An act was also passed appointing a shall but state that,after a long and highly
national fast, for the purpose of suppli- animated debate, it was carried, that an
cating the Divine direction respecting the entire incorporating union should take
Treaty of Union, on the consideration of place, and not merely one of a federal
which the nation was about to enter character. Before proceeding to consider
"that all might be done to the glory the articles of the union, the parliament
of God and the good of; the Church;" then directed its attention to the security
and the commission was directed to pay of the Presbyterian Church. The imparticular attention to the deliberations portance of this was fully understood by
of parliament, and to be ready to assist all parties, and gave rise not only to a
with advice, or to warn by remonstrance, new trial of strength, but to a series of
as might be necessary.               intrigues by those who sought to prevent
The Scottish parliament met on the the union, and of earnest and anxious
13th of October, to commence those delib- prudential management-by those who faerations which should end in the termi- voured that measure and were friendly to
nation of its separate existence. The the Church. The Jacobites now preDuke of Queensberry was commissioner, tended great zeal for the Church of Scotand the Earl of Seafield chancellor. land, and declaimed on the danger to
When parliament met, the whole nation which it would be exposed by a unionwas roused to the most intense and feverish a danger which they themselves were the
anxiety and excitement as to what might first to realize at a subsequent period.
be the possible result of their delibera- The Commission, which had been directtions. The Jacobites beheld in a union ed by the Assembly to meet and watch
the ruin of all their hopes; the Prelatists over the welfare of the Church, was
anticipated support from the Church of greatly agitated by the dubious and
England if the union could be effected gloomty aspect of affairs. But they were
without the express confirmation of the not allowed to fall into the pit dug for
Presbyterian establishment, but if that them  by their enemies.  The Divine
were ratified, they dreaded that their own Head of the Church continued to protect
restoration to power would be forever pre- the interests of his spiritual kingdom, and
eluded; the Presbyterians generally were to defeat the councils of the most cunning
painfully apprehensive that the liberty, adversary.  They joined no political
and even the permanent existence, of the party,-they yielded not to the deceitful
Church would be greatly endangered by persuasions of their foes,-they did not
the union, from the ascendency of the Pre- give way to distempered fears,-they
latic Church of England in a united par- uttered no violent and unwary declaraliament, and the presence of the prelates tions,-they even exerted themselves to
themselves in the House of Peers; and calm the excitement which pervaded the
the Cameronians regarded the measure nation, and which they might have easily
as the consummation of national guilt, roused to a fierce and universal convulbeing a direct violation of the great cove- sion.*  At length- an Act of Security was
nants by which both kingdoms were sol- passed, in which the acts confirming the
emnly bound. The court party alone Confession of Faith and the Presbyterian
had any real wish for a union with Eng- form of church government were ratified
land; yet such was the effect of so many and established, " to continue without any
and such conflicting grounds of hostility, alteration to the people of this land in all
that the antagonists merely neutralized succeeding generations;" and it was fureach other, and rendered any well organ- ther declared, that this ACT OF SECURITY)
ized and vigorously combined opposition "  ith the ESTABLISHMENT THEREIN CONimpossible. In this we cannot but see TAINED, shall be held and observed in all
the hand of a superintending Providence, time coming, as a FUNDAMENTAL AND
bringing order out of chaos, and over- ESSENTIAL CONDITION OF ANY TREATY OF
ruling the elements of danger to the pro- UNION to be concluded betwixt the two
duction of peace and safety.               * Carstares' State Paper, pp. 754-758.




320             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. VII
kingdo/ms, WITHOUT   ANY   ALTERATION Barrier Act, been transmitted to the presTHEREOF, OR DEROGATION THERETO, IN byteries by the preceding Assembly.   It
ANY SORT, FOR EVER.t*                 was now   ratified, and has ever since
It would be very difficult, if not im- continued to form the chief rule of the
possible, for language to convey more Church of Scotland for the direction of
clearly and strongly the idea, that the the various ecclesiastical judicatories in
Church of Scotland was thus intention- the matters which come before them.  It
ally placed beyond the power of the is not undeserving of notice, that this imunited parliament to interfere in the portant act, completing the judicial arslightest degree with her constitutional rangements of the Church of Scotland,
rights and privileges; since the main- took place at the very juncture of the
tenance of her integrity unimpaired, in  Union, and was accordingly placed, of
tact, inviolable, was itself the very basis necessity, within the protection of the Act
of the union, without which it would not of Security, before the Scottish parliahave taken place, to interfere with which ment, by which it was ratified, had ceased
was declared to be beyond the power of to exist. Thus the Confessionof Faith,the British parliament, and any infringe- the form of church government by Sesment of which was necessarily equivalent sions, Presbyteries, Synods, and General
to a virtual dissolution of that great inter- Assemblies,-the mode of worship,-the
national treaty.                      rules of discipline,-and the process cf
The remaining Articles of Union were judicial proceedings,-were all rendered
proposed and carried with comparative as secure as the most solemn and concluease. And at length, after they had been sive national enactments,-the Revolution
accepted and ratified by the English par- Settlement, the Act of Security, and the
liament,t and returned to Scotland, they Articles of Union,-could make them.
were registered by the Scottish parlia- If they had since been thwarted, violated,
ment on the 25th of March, 1707, or impeded, the blame must rest upon
and on the 22d of April the parlia- those who presumed to tamper with nament of Scotland adjourned to meet no tional faith, or who, in their endeavours
more.                                 to put a forced construction upon the let[1707.] The General Assembly met ter of subordinate laws and statutes, grievat Edinburgh on the 8th April 1707. ously misconceived or utterly forgot the
Before their meeting the Articles of Union principles and the spirit of the constitution.
had been ratified by the Scottish parlia-  One very pernicious act was passed at
ment, and sent to London for the ratifica- this time, which has ever since continued
tion of that of England.  In the queen's to operate most injuriously to the best inletter to the Assembly the following sen- terests of the Church and people of-Scottence occurs: " We take this opportunity land.  The lords of the Court of Session
of renewing to you our assurance, that were appointed to be commissioners of
you shall have our protection in the free teinds, and power was given to them to
enjoyment of all the rights and privi- determine "the transporting of kirks,"
leges that by law you are possessed of;" that is, the removal of a church from one
and it is rather remarkable that her ma- part of the parish to another, according
jesty makes no allusion to the topic of to the fluctuation of the population which
receiving into the Church those of the may have rendered such a measure exEpiscopalian dissenters who should be pedient,-and, by implication, the buildwilling to subscribe the Confession of ing of an additional church for the accom
Faith, and conform to Presbyterian go- modation of an increased pbpulation.
vernment. The most important act pas- The consent of three-fourths of the herised by this Assembly was one respecting tors, in point of valuation, is declared by
the Form of Process.  This subject had the act to be necessary to warrant this
occupied the attention of the Church for removal.*  The effect has been, that the
several years, and had, according to the narrow and selfish policy of the heritors
has generally been strong enough to preAct of Security, Appendix.
t Carstares' State Papers, p. 760, "The Archbishopvent the concurrence of a sufficient numof Canterbury said, that he believed the Church of ber to procure the removal, however glarScotland to be as true a Protestant Church as that of
England, though he could not say it was so perfect."'' Dunlop's Parochial Law, p. 32.




A. D. 1707.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    321
ingly necessary for the accommodation as a subordinate court, e.ected by the
of the people; crystallizing, as it were, State, receiving directions from it, and
the Church of Scotland into a state of necessarily subservient to it in the disrigid immobility, and rendering her una- charge of all its functions. And the fatal
ble to adapt her arrangements to the facility which the Prelatic form of church
changing necessities of the country. government has always shown of adaptHow strangely ignorant, to say the least, ing itself to the capricious designs of
statesmen and legislators have always statesmen, and submitting to their baneful
been of what is most conducive to the control, has necessarily given it a recomtrue welfare of a nation, and especially, mendation in their eyes, which the Preshow  ready to employ every practical byterian form  cannot possibly obtain,
mode of hampering the movements and without first becoming unfaithful to its
obstructing the exercise of the native en- own principles.
ergies of the Christian Church, and, in  The danger to which the Church of
particular, of the Church of Scotland. Scotland was exposed by the Union Awas
But this, and all such hostile or jealous very greatly increased by the admission
measures, may be fairly viewed as the of so many of the Prelatic curates, in
instinctive testimony given by worldly weak compliance with the pernicious
men to the spirituality of her character, policy of William.  It would have rewith which they cannot sympathize, and quired the united energy and determined
which they regard with the natural en- front of the entire Presbyterian Church
mity of the fallen mind.            to have promptly met, and triumphantly
By the Treaty of Union the Church resisted, every attempted encroachment of
of Scotland was placed in a new position, the British parliament upon her secured
fitted to try severely the vitality and the rights and privileges. But this, with
power of her constitutional principles, such a numerous band of cold friends and
The Act of Security had indeed preclu- treacherous mercenaries within her own
ded the British parliament from interfer- camp, was impossible. From this time
ing with her doctrine, government, and forward, accordingly, the Church of Scotdiscipline, as they existed before the pas- land presents the melancholy aspect of a
sing of that act; but the removal of the declining and unfaithful Church, assailed
seat of civil government from Edinburgh by enemies without, and corrupted and
to London was certain to have an injuri- betrayed by worse and more deadly foes
ous effect upon the Scottish nobility and within her own communion.  To trace
gentry, in alienating them  from  the faithfully the sad steps of her defection
Church of their native land, and accus- must be now our painful and unwelcome
toming them to the forms, ceremonies, task; with the perfect certainty of being
want of discipline, and Erastian subser- compelled to record deeds and give exviency, of the Church of England.  It pression to sentiments which will rouse
was, therefore, to be expected, that early the fierce rage of many, but with the deand persevering attempts would be made, liberate determination to state the truth,
both by the British Legislature and by be offended who may, and whatever
our own Anglicized countrymen, if not amount of hostility may be thereby proto alter the government of the Church of voked. Let the intelligent and, thoughtScotland, at least to reduce it to that con- ful man mark well the course of the
dition of political thraldom in which the Church of Scotland's procedure, as well
Church of England was held. That as that of the British parliament, from
this should be desired by mere politicians, the period of the Union till now, with as
need excite no wonder; for it is not polit- much fairness and candour as he can;
ical sagacity, but spiritual enlightenment, and especially let him trace accurately,
which enables men to perceive and un- and with unprejudiced mind, the conduct
derstand what are the true and essential of the faithful minority, testing it as rigidprinciples of the Christian Church. They ly as he will by reference to the fundaare naturally incapable of understanding mental principles and avowed standards
on what terms alone a true Church can of the Presbyterian Church; and he will
enter into an alliance with the State; and have little difficulty in deciding who have
they therefore always regard the Church been the defenders, and who the betrayers
41




322               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    [CHAP. IX
and the foes of civil and religious liberty, pledged. The Jacobites, who wished the
-by whom the cause of vital religion restoration of the exiled Stuart race,knew
and national welfare has been promoted, well that the establishment of the Presand by whom retarded,-by whose ill-re- byterian Church was the main obstacle
quited exertions the interests of the Re- to their resumption of power in Scotland;
deemer's spiritual kingdom   within our and the not unnatural sympathy which
land have been maintained, and by whom    the English Episcopalians felt for their
they have been betrayed and violated, Scottish brethren of that persuasion, in
through the influence of secular motives, duced them to take every measure in their
and in the spirit of a base subserviency to power for the discouragement and depresnarrow-minded and worldly politicians.    sion of the rival Church.   Of this character was the jealous and intolerant
policy of the English High-Church party,
requiring the sacramental test, according
to the forms of Episcopacy, before any
CHAPTER       IX.              man could be eligible to a place of public
trust in civil affairs, while no such limitaFROM THE UNION TO THE RISE OF THE SECOND tion was applied to them in Scotland.
SECESSION IN 1752.            This was manifestly contrary to the spirit
of the Union, and a grievance to every
Position of the Church of Scotland at the Union-Me- true Presbyterian.  But it had still more
morials respecting the Poor, and beneficial Management of the Church-Political Movements in Eng- pernicious tendencies.  It was calculated
land, and Jacobite Intrigues in Scotland-Rise of
erroneous Opinions in the Church of Scotland-  a dreg   dtth     acred ordinance
Jacobite Intrigues; Case of Greenshields-Hostility by degrading it to the character of a civil
of the British Parliament under the Administration 
of Harley and Bolingbroke-ActofToleration-Oath  qualification; and it tended to allure the
of Abjuration-Act reimposing Patronage-Ineffec- Scottish nobi'ity and gentry to conform to
tual Attempt of the Church to prevent its Enactment
-Examination of the Spirit, Tendency, and Intention Prelacy, to which they were already
of that Act-Argument to prove it essentially invalid
-Assertions in its Preamble refuted-Conduct of the sufficiently prone. This effect was, in all
General Assembly —Remarks-Causes of the Weak- probability, what Prelatists expected and
ness of the Church-The Cameronians-Effects of the
Abjuration Oath-Case of Burntisland-Commence- desired; but it was evident that it could
ment of the Process against Professor Simson for          tan    ffniv t    PresHeresy-Second Rabbling Act-Death of Queennot ue other   e   an    enve t     r
Anne-Memorial against Patronage-The Rebellion byterians: especially when contrasted with
-Professor Simson-The Auchterarder Case-First'"Riding Committee "-Progress of unsound Opin- the repeated and pressing applications
ions, how caused-Act restricting Patronage-Origin made to the Church of Scotland to receive
of the Marrow Controversy-Conduct of the Assembly-The Representers-F-irst Case of Intrusion- into its bosom the Prelatic curates, and to
Professor Simson-Boston and others-First direct
Acceptance of a Presentation-Origin of the First give them an equal share in the governSecession-Partial Change in the Conduc  met o  f t he  Church which they   ad so
Assembly —Act against Intrusion-The Secession                        they
completed-Revivals at Cambuslang and Kilsyth- long persecuted, and were still seeking to
Violent Settlements-Opinions of the Courtof Sessions rt  n t  irumsn      an   r
-New Policy of the Moderate Party-Case of In-subver.  In te circumstances and arverkeithing-Deposition of Mr Gillespie-Origin of rangements of the Union itself, and notthe Second Secession, the Relief, in 1752-Moderate wi      i t  c  o  cri 
Manifesto.                               withstanding the Act of Security, there
was reason for the Church of Scotland to
BY the Act of Security, which was the be jealous of her rights and privileges, so
basis of the Union, the Church of Scot- far as it was in the power of the Church
land obtained the clearest recognition of of England to impair and obstruct them.
her own principles, and the strongest rati- The bitter hostility of the Scottish Jacofication of her rights and privileges, which bites and Prelatists was even increased
could be conveyed by legislative enact- by the Union, which opposed a mighty
ments and secured by the solemn pledge obstacle to their hopes, and which, they
of national faith.  Yet were those prin- well knew, could not have been accomciples as much disliked by statesmen as plished if the Church of Scotland had
they had ever been; and at the very time offered a strongand determined resistance.
when the ratification was given, a power-   Placed thus in a position surrounded
ful party was secretly plotting the viola- with danger, the Presbyterian Church
tion of those rights and privileges for the had a very difficult part to act.  To act
security of which the faith of the sove- that part aright demanded the union of
reign  and  the  united  kingdom     was high-principled religious integrity, and




A. D. 1708.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   323
consummate prudence. From the rul- these hostile influences prevailed, wheing powers of the empire she had little ther by external force or by internal corfavour to expect, beyond what they might ruption, and to what degree Presbyterian
deem it for their own interest to give. principles were repressed or allowed to
If she could succeed in retaining and fall into abeyance, remains now to be
wielding the compact energies of the briefly but faithfully traced.
Scottish community, politicians would  [1708.] The period immediately sucnot dare to tamper with her rights and ceeding the Union had been employed
privileges; but if in that she failed, to be by the Jacobites in making the most
scorned and trampled upon by insulting strenuous exertions to produce a counteradversaries was her certain doom. And revolution, by means of an attempted inunfortunately her prospect of obtaining surrection at home, supported by an invathat element of security was greatly sion from France. In this time of pubdiminished by recent events. The great lic danger the loyalty and zeal of the
mass of the Scottish people were hostile Scottish Presbyterians had been signally
to the Union, for various causes; and displayed, both ministers and people exthe conduct of the Church in not oppos- erting themselves to the utmost in preparing that great Treaty had alienated to a ing to defend the constitution and governvery considerable degree the minds of a ment of the country. When the Aslarge proportion of the most conscientious sembly met in April 1708, her majesty,
Presbyterians.  Nothing but the most both by letter and through the commisdetermined adherence to strict Presby- sioner, expressed her entire satisfaction
terian principles, and their exhibition in with the conduct of the Scottish Church,
all her proceedings, could have regained and her renewed assurance of her unalthe affection and the confidence of the terable resolution to maintain to it unimpeople; and such a line of conduct it was paired all its rights and privileges.  The
now scarcely possible for her to follow. answer of the Assembly expressed the
The baneful policy of William, which most unswerving loyalty, and at the same
had caused the reception of so many of time not obscurely indicated to her mathe Prelatic curates, had vitiated the mi- jesty in what manner that loyalty could
nisterial body to such a degree, that in- be best recompensed, and the peace and
stead of a faithful assertion and bold de- welfare  of the  country maintained.
fence of Presbyterian  principles, in They plainly declared, that a "pious,
government, doctrine, and discipline, the learned, and faithful ministry" was the
utmost that could be obtained from the greatest support, under God, of true reliGeneral Assembly was a faint remon- gion and national welfare; trusting that
strance, or a half apologetic statement of her majesty would discourage the opposirights and privileges, or a feeble and tion made to the planting of such a mitame petition for redress, even when nistry in several places, "by some that
much aggrieved. This increasing un- are not more disaffected to our church
soundness of doctrine, tame and compro- constitution than to your majesty's royal
mising spirit, and moderate policy, how- person and government."*  Had her
ever much lauded by wily politicians, majesty and her government appreciated
was not calculated to reinstate the Church and acted upon the spirit of this suggesin the affections of a people distinguished tion, the Church and the nation must soon
for national pride, intellectual strength, have entered upon a career of public tranand inflexible adherence to religious quillity and religious purity very different
principle.  On the contrary, it was from that which the historian has to record.
sure to alienate them more and more,   Two acts of this Assembly deserve atand at the same time to encourage the attention.  One was for the suppression
foes of Presbytery to fresh aggressions. of schism and disorders in the Church:
Such was the character and condition of the other, recommending ministerial visithe Church of Scotland, and such the tation of families.f  The first arose from
nature of the hostile influences by which the cause already specified,-the disagreeit was surrounded, and to a considerable ment which could not but exist between
extent interpenetrated, at the momentous the true Presbyterian ministers and the
period of the Union.  To what extent     "Acts of Assembly, year 1705.  t bid.




324            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX.
admitted Prelatic curates, and also be- presented by the queen's commissioner to
tween the Established Church and the her majesty, concerning the interfering
inflexible Cameronians.  The second of justices of the peace with the offices of
was expressly designed to promote the church deacons."  The full purport of
progress of vital and personal religion this memorial, and the object accomthroughout the community, by giving to plished by it, require to be explained,
ministers well digested and authorative and merit attention. At the period of the
directions respecting the discharge of Reformation, it will be remembered, the
that very important part of their duty, so Church of Scotland proposed to take
that it might not be in the power of any upon itself the care of the poor, and to
to neglect it, without being immediately support them out of its own patrimony.
called to account, and censured accord- The avaricious nobility frustrated this
ing to their demerits. Such a process benevolent design to the utmost of their
was more certain to secure the stability power, by seizing forcibly upon the paof the Church, by resting it on the affec- trimony of the Church, regardless alike
ion and respect of the poeple, than could of justice and humanity. But the Church,
ne done by mere acts of the legislature. nevertheless, following the example of
But unhappily it was an act which the the Apostolic Church, appointed collecPrelatic conformists could not possibly tions to be made for the support of the
discharge in a suitable manner.  Too poor, and instituted the order of deacons
many of them had been known to their for the proper management of the funds
parishioners as spies and informers during so raised.  This method of supporting
the persecution, for their visits to be re- the poor was almost immediately crowned
ceived with a ready and affectionate wel- with the most remarkable success. Pocome; so that, when the Assembly en- verty and its dire attendants, degradation
joined the discharge of a duty which the and immorality, almost disappeared, and
previous misconduct of a large section peace, intelligence, comfort, and purity,
rendered it impracticable for them to at- spread their blessings over the land.
tempt, this injunction, however excellent But when Charles II., in 1661, abolished
in itself, and fitted to produce the best re- the Presbyterian Church, and established
suits when adequately performed, tended Prelacy on its ruins,-as attention to the
to increase the disagreement between the religious and intellectual instruction of
faithful ministers and their less zealous the poor, and the alleviation of their perbrethren, who disliked directions which sonal wants, formed no part of the instithey could not cordially and successfully tutions, nor had ever been regarded in
obey.                                the practice of the Prelatic Church,-the
[1709.] Several important transactions whole matter was intrusted to the charge
took place in the Assembly which met in of the justices of the peace, who were em1709; one of which was the maturing of powed to appoint overseers in every
the Society for Propagating Christian parish for the management of matters
Knowledge, which obtained the approba- connected with the maintenance of the
tion of the queen in council, and has ever poor. -The utter inefficiency of this syssince continued in the discharge of its tem, attempted as it was in a time of perimportant duties, on which a large mea- secution which destroyed a large proporsure of the Divine favour has manifestly tion of the middle class, which  has
rested. An act was passed also for erect- always been the most charitable, was deing public libraries, one in each presby- monstrated with dreadful precision, when
tery throughout the kingdom; a measure at the Revolution it appeared that about
well adapted to promote the knowledge the fifth part of the population were in a
and the usefulness of the ministers, by state of utter beggary and homelessness,
placing within their reach the means of and so fearfully degraded and demoralprosecuting their own studies, which their ized as to startle and appal the most inremote situations and scanty maintenance different. But the Presbyterian Church
must have greatly impeded.           was again established, and immediately
Among the unprinted acts of this As- resumed its hallowed labours and its
sembly is one of great national impor- charitable cares.  Again was its untance. It is entitled,'A memorial to be rivalled excellence, as a national institu




A. D. 1710.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   325
tion for promoting the moral and religious and to sustain persecution,-to advance
welfare of the community, most signally the welfare of all, and to be generally
displayed.  The faithful and earnest calumniated,-has been more the fate of
preaching of the gospel arrested the the Church of Scotland than of any
attention of the people; schools were pro- Christian Church since the days of the
vided for the instruction of the young: apostles. But this is no equivocal proof
the charitable donations of the congrega- that she is indeed a true Church of Christ,
tions relieved the truly necessitous, and reviled and persecuted by the world, bethe sacred and moral atmosphere of cause she is not of the world. The sucChristianity diffused itself over the king- cess with which the exertions of the
dom, checking and repressing vice, re- Church of Scotland had been blessed in
buking open crime, and imparting a repressing vice and irre:'gion, and promore pure, healthful, and lofty tone to moting pure and personal Christianity,
the feelings and desires of the renovated may be stated in the language of an acute
community. So manifestly was this the and impartial observer, a native of Engcase, that the commissioner, the Earl of land, who came to Scotland to aid in
Glasgow, readily undertook to present promoting the Union:-" You may pass
the memorial, and enforced it with such through twenty towns in Scotland withstatements respecting the efficiency of the out seeing any broil, or hearing an oath
Scottish system, on his own knowledge, sworn in the streets: whereas, if a blind
that the justices of the peace were in- man was to come from thence into Engstructed to abstain from interfering with land, he shall know the first town he sets
the management of the poor, leaving that his foot in within the English border, by
matter to the care of the kirk-sessions, by hearing the name of God blasphemed and
whose judicious  superintendence the profanely used, even by the very little
country had been rescued from poverty children in the streets."*
and crime. Had it not been for this    [1710.] Before the General Assembly
prompt and decisive conduct on the part met in 1710, a movement had taken place
of the Church, Scotland would have been in England which fell little short of a respeedily subjected to the pressure of an volution. This was occasioned by the
intolerable burden of poor-laws, similar notorious Sacheveral, who, by the plentito that under which England, notwith- ful use of a strange mixture of blind
standing its superior national wealth, and bigotry, fierce invective, and the hardy
in spite of, not to say in consequence of, assertions of intolerant ignorance, roused
its hierarchical church, has so long the prejudices of the High-Church party
groaned.                             and the rude populace to such a degree
This incident would of itself convince as to overthrow the Whig government of
any unprejudiced and intelligent person the Revolution and the Union, and to
how much Scotland owes to its National place a Tory administration in office,
Church, proving, at the same time, how  nominally headed by Harley, soon aftermuch superior that Church is to any wards Earl of Oxford, and really by the
other in Christendom, in the efficient philosophic, yet unprincipled infidel Boaccomplishment of one great object for lingbroke. Strange as it might at first
which a National Church is established sight appear, this triumph of High-the promotion of the moral and reli- Church Episcopacy and Tory state poligious welfare of the community. And tics tended directly to the restoration of
yet, at the very time when the Church Popery, and of the exiled claimant of the
was thus generously taking upon herself crown, the Popish Pretender. Yet every
the care of the poor, she had been recently thinking person will easily perceive the
deprived of the remains of her patrimony, natural connection which subsists between
the third part of the teinds, which had the principles of High-Church bigotry,
been given back to the patrons as a com- strenuously inculcating passive obedience
pensation for the loss of those patronages and non-resistance to "the right divine
which they had obtained by conduct of of kings to govern wrong," and those on
the most flagrantly illegal, unjust, and which Popery itself is founded. Nor
wrongful character.  Surely, to do good were the Scottish Jacobites inattentive
and to suffer injury,- -to promote peace       De Foe's Memoirs, p. 428.




326             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX.
spectators of these changes in England, Right and the Revolution Settlement beor unskilful to avail themselves of events ing much less flattering to a monarch,
which promised to advance the objects than the glowing reference to hereditary
for which they longed. They saw well and indefeasible right poured forth by the
that the ascendency of High-Church po- High-Church sycophants. A slight jar
litics in England presented a favourable arose between the Church and the deopportunity of crushing the Presbyterian parting administration, on account of the
Church of Scotland, which was the most Assembly having appointed a fast, to
formidable obstacle they had to encounter which the sanction of her majesty had to
in seeking to secure the return of the be procured.  This was promptly grantPopish Pretender. Instantlya course of ed; but the Earl of Sunderland, in a
deep intriguing policy was begun, con- letter to Carstares, warned him against
ducted principally by Lockhart of Carn- the danger which the Church might inwath, the ablest of the Scottish Jacobites. cur, if she were to repeat such a proceThis designing man did not expect to dure on her own authority.*  This was
prevail upon the Presbyterians to strive sufficiently indicative, both that the adfor the recall of the Pretender; the ministration watched the conduct of the
wrongs which they had suffered weie Church of Scotland with a jealous and
too recent for them to be induced to take unfriendly eye, and that English statessuch a step. But he thought that, by men were alike ignorant of the characprevailing upon the High-Church party ter and hostile to the proceedings of the
in the British parliament to infringe the Presbyterian Church.
Union, so far as to endanger the stability  An act was passed by this Assembly,
of the Church of Scotland, the Presby- apparently of a very harmless, or rather
terians might be brought to -demand of a laudable character, yet pregnant
a repeal of the Union itself; which, with meaning of ominous import. This
if granted, would leave Scotland open was an "Act for Preserving the Purity
to Jacobite intrigues, and, if refused, of Doctrine," in which all persons are
might lead to some forcible attempt prohibited from  uttering any opinions,
to overthrow  Presbytery and re-estab- or using any expressions, in relation to
lish  Prelacy, or at least throw  the the articles of faith, "not agreeable to
country into such a state of confusion as the form of sound words expressed in
would give a greater probability of sue- the Word of God and the Confession of
cess to a French invasion and a civil Faith;" and further enacting, "that no
war.  To the artful prosecution of these minister or member of this Church predeep schemes we shall have further occa- sume to print, or disperse in writing, any
sion to advert.                      catechism, without the allowance of the
When the Assembly met, these mea- presbytery of the bounds, and of the
sures necessarily engaged their attention, Commission." The direct cause of framthough they did not deem it expedient to ing this act was the offence taken by
mention them  in explicit terms.  Yet Principal Stirling of Glasgow, and Printhere could be no doubt what was meant cipal Haddow of St. Andrews, with the
by such language as the following:-  language of a catechism  on the coveWe crave leave upon this occasion to nants of works and grace, written by Mr.
assure your majesty, that we abhor all Hamilton, minister of Airth, which these
the principles that stain the glory of two influential men contrived to get the
the reformed religion, and all the opin- Assembly thus to stigmatize, without due
ions that have a tendency to shake examination, and on the strength of their
the excellent and solid foundations upon representation respecting the tenor of the
which your majesty's just title to the production. But the more remote cause,
supreme government of your domin- which was indeed the real moving prinions, and the security'of your throne in ciple of that and many subsequent events
a Protestant succession against all Popish in the history of that period, is to be
Pretenders, are happily established."  It found in a strong leaven of unsound docis not likely that her majesty received trines which was spreading rapidly in
this address with much satisfaction, the the Church, especially in that large dviallusion it contained to the Claim of'Carstares' State Papers, p. 786.




A. D. 1711.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   327
sion of it which was formed by the con- attempt to introduce the Liturgy in the
junction of the indulged ministers, the year 1637 had caused  But now, when
admitted Prelatic curates, and a consider- the Scottish Prelatists began to hope for
ble number of young men, who had im- support from their brethren in England,
bibed the lax notions of a modified Armi- they thought it expedient to conform to
nianism, at that time becoming very pre- the whole ritual of that Church. When
valent both in England and on the Con- Greenshields first made the attempt, totinent. The most sound and able divines wards the end of the year 1709, he wag
of the Church of Scotland marked the called before the Presbytery of Edinprogress of these opinions with deep re- burgh, but declining their jurisdiction, he
gret, and set themselves to oppose them  was interdicted by the magistrates of the
by every means in their power. It was city, and his meeting-house closed by
with this view that Mr. Hamilton had their authority.  The affair was brought
written the above mentioned catechism; before the Court of Session, and decided
and it was to prevent the diffusion of it against Greenshields, his conduct being
and similar productions that the leading regarded as a direct infraction of the
men of the Assembly procured the pass- articles of the Treaty of Union. But
ing of the act for preserving the purity the Jacobites and Prelatists, buoyed up
of doctrine.*  It may seem strange that by the High-Church frenzy in Engan act so designated should in reality land, carried the matter by appeal to
have been an act to prevent the defence the House of Lords, auguring but too
of truth, and to permit the unchecked surely that the Church of Scotland would
diffusion of error. Yet so it was; and meet no favour and but little justice there.
nothing could more clearly prove the When the case first came to London, the
pernicious tendency of that moderate whole country was in a ferment about
management so highly recommended by Sacheverel's trial, so that the affair of
William, so perseveringly followed by Greenshields was laid aside till a more
Carstares, and so destructively successful convenient opportunity. But after the
in introducing into the Church of Scot- formation of a new cabinet, and the comland such a body of men, not more than plete ascendency of High-Church and
half Presbyterian in their principles, Tory principles in the legislature,it was
doctrines, and practice, by whom she was again brought forward, and given in faearly and deeply vitiated, ere long griev- vour of Greenshields, the sentence of the
ously enthralled, and from the baneful Court of Session being reversed, and the
influence of whose long and dreary do- magistrates of Edinburgh subjected to
mination she is yet but striving painfully heavy damages for wrongful imprisonto recover.                          ment. Great was the exultation of the
[1711.] The machinations of the Ja- Prelatists and Jacobites when the decicobites for the destruction of the Church sion was made; and great also was the
of Scotland were not only prosecuted indignation of the Presbyterians. There
with unremitting ardour, but began about was a mixture of right and wrong in the
this time to assume the aspect of near decision, viewed abstractly, with regard
success. One event which hastened the to its essence, and to the state of the law
struggle rather prematurely for the ene- at the time. It was right that no man
mies of Presbstery, arose out of the at- should be liable to imprisonment for wortempt of one Greenshields, an Episcopa- shipping God according to the light of
lian minister, to open a meeting-house and his own conscience; but according to
use the English Liturgy in Edinburgh. the unrepealed laws of the country,
The Prelatic party of the persecution Greenshields was guilty of a high mishad never used a Liturgy, with the sole demeanour, especially when it is rememexception of Burnet, afterwards bishop bered that he and all his party had reof Salisbury, while he was curate of fused to swear allegiance to the reigning
Salton; being deterred probably by the sovereign, and were known to be enremembrance of the tumult which the gaged in plotting for the restoration of the
For a full account of this matter, and of the contro Popsh Pretender. In that view he meritversy respecting the Marrow of Modern Divinity, see ed punishment as guilty of rebellious
a series of papers by Dr M'Crie, in the Christien In- 
structor, in the years 1831, 1832.    onduct,-not on account of his religious




328             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX
opinions; and his acquittal, and the fine ture in the history of the Church, there
exacted from the magistrates of Edin- has been some arrangement made in her
burgh, was a direct violation of the prin- internal regulations, calculated to prepare
ciples of the Revolution, and tended to her for the struggle, and to confirm her
shake the throne of Queen Anne, and to vitality when about to be severely tried.
produce a counter-revolution. It is in- These questions to be put to probationers
deed evident that this was the very effect and ministers were calculated to deter
which the Jacobites and Bolingbroke in- the ungodly and worldly-minded from
tended and anticipated, when they pressed entering the Church, at the very time
this decision contrary to the inclinations when the door of admission to such perof the Earl of Oxford.*  But, as usual, sons was about to be thrown open; and
they contrived to misrepresent the whole though unprincipled men can, and do
affair, and to declaim about it as a mere break through every sacred and moral
act of protection to an injured Episcopa- barrier, yet it cannot be doubted that the
lian against Presbyterian intolerance.  existence of such barriers has a strong
When the Assembly met, there was a tendency to preserve the sanctity of the
general'eeling pervading the house that ground which they inclose from the tread
a dangerous crisis was at hand.  The of the unhallowed intruder.
pernicious effects of English prelatic in-  Aware of the coming dangers to be
fluence were beginning to be but too ap- apprehended from the unprincipled statesparent, not only in such a case as that of men who swayed the councils of the naGreenshields, but in a growing tendency tion, the General Assembly gave specific
k. various quarters to imitate the English directions to the Commission to do rvhat
disregard of the sanctity of the Sabbath, might be necessary for the preservation
which had always been peculiarly main- of the rights and privileges of the
tained by the Church of Scotland. They Church, and empowered them to send a
were well aware also, that the main ob- commission to London, if they should
ject of the Jacobites was to alter the suc- see cause, to watch over the progress of
cession to the throne; and they knew  events, and to seek the redress of grievthat Scottish Prelacy would very readily ances.
endure a Popish monarch, though the     [1712. The year 1712 must ever be
Church of England might not be equal- regarded as a black year in the annals of
ly willing to violate all Protestant princi- the Church of Scotland. The triumph
pies.  The attachment of the Church of which the prelatic Jacobites had gained
Scotland was therefore very distinctly in the case of Greenshields, instead of
stated to the succession of the Protestant satisfying, had merely encouraged them
House of Hanover, both in the Assem- to further aggressions upon the Presbybly's letter to the Queen, and in an act terian Church, against which they cherpassed recommending prayers to be offer- ished the most deadly hatred. When
ed up for her majesty, and for the Pro- the British parliament met, in December
testant line of succession.  Several acts 1711, their first attention was occupied in
were also passed for the better regulation securing the ascendency of despotic prinof internal matters in the worship go- ciples in both houses. This was accomvernment, and discipline of the Church -  plished in the House of Lords by the
recommending family worship,-for the creation of twelve new peers at once,
better observance of the Sabbath,-con- whose votes enabled the cabinet to comcerning the administration of the sacra- mand a majority for the time. Early in
ments of baptism and the Lord's sup- 1712, the Jacobites, deeming their prepaper,-respecting students of divinity,-  rations complete, unmasked those batteand appointing the questions to be put to ries with which they hoped to lay prosprobationers before being licenced to trate the Church of Scotland. A bill
preach, and to ministers at their ordina- was introduced into the House of Comtion. It is remarkable, that almost im- mons, purporting to be for the granting
mediately before the occurrence of any of a legal toleration to those of the Epis
peculiarly important or dangerous junc- copalian dissenters in Scotland who wish
ed to use the Liturgy of the Church of;Lockhart Papers, vol. i.pp.346 347; Stuart Papers, England; repealing, at the same time
England; repealing, at the same time,




A. D. 1712.]    HISTORY O1 THE -HURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     329
those acts of the Scottish parliament by cobites were acute enough to perceive
which they were subjected to the juris- the import of this alteration, and had
diction and discipline of the Presbyte- sufficient influence to procure in the
rian church courts, and forbidding the House of Commons the restoration of
civil sanction to be added to ecclesiastical the word as, well knowing the offence
sentences for their enforcement. This which it would give to the Presbyterians.
bill was introduced on the 21st of Janu- They knew that the Prelatic Jacobites
ary; and so secretly had the Jacobites would not take the abjuration oath, beconcerted their scheme, that the intention cause they regarded the Popish Pretendof proposing such a bill was not known er, whom that oath abjured, as the righttill the motion was made in the House ful heir to the British crown, a:nd their
of Commons respecting it. The Cor- great aim was to render it equally immission of the General Assembly imme- possible for Presbyterians to take it; that
diately sent the Rev. Messrs. Carstares, both parties being placed in equal peril,
Blackwell, and Baillie, to London, with so much of a mutual compromise might
instructions to use every exertion in their ensue as to leave the Prelatists undispower for preventing the passing of such turbed in the prosecution of their rebela bill, and to watch over the threatened lious designs for the subversion of the
rights and privileges of the Church. Revolution Settlement and the restoration
Their earnest remonstrances were in of a Popish king.*     Too well their
vain.  The House of Commons passed crafty policy succeeded. No more than
the bill, and transmitted it to the House one of the Prelatic clergy ever took the
of Lords. The Scottish Commission re- oath of abjuration, while every one availnewed their remonstrances, and prevail- ed himself of the toleration, and immeed so far as to procure the addition of the diately began to celebrate public worship
oath of abjuration to the Bill of Tolera- with all the pomp and ceremony in
tion, for the purpose of preventing Pa- which the Church of England delights,
pists and Jacobites from obtaining any to a degree not previously seen in Scotadvantage from this bill  But the wily land since the Reformation. At the same
Jacobites contrived to have a clause in- time, so great was the dissatisfaction felt
serted in the bill, requiring the ministers by the ministers and people of the Presof the Established Presbyterian Church byterian Church on account of this oath,
to come under the same obligation. There that it nearly caused a schism in the
was one clause in the abjuration oath  Church, the refusal to take it being rewhich rendered it impossible for a Pres- garded by many as a criterion of minisbyterian to take it without explanation. terial faithfulness, and almost a term of
In the act of succession, settling the communion; while the people equally
crown on the Hanoverian Protestant line, hated and despised those ministers who
one of the conditions specified was, that consented to take the ensnaring and danthe successor should be of the commu- gerous bond.t
nion of the Church of England; and in   Some have endeavoured to represent
he oath of abjuration, the person was this Act of Toleration as a wise and
required to swear allegiance to the suc- laudable scheme for securing religious
cessor as limited by that act.  This the liberty to all denominations of Protestant
Presbyterians regarded as requiring them  Christians.  How much soever it may
to swear that the sovereign ought to be have ultimately contributed to that result
an Episcopalian, thereby declaring a such was not the intention, in even the
Presbyterian incapable of wearing the slightest degree, of those by whom it was
crown. To this they could not submit framed.   They wished for toleration,
without stamping reprobation upon their that they might obtain  ascendency.
own religion. But they procured from  They were anxious to open Episcopalian
the House of Lords an alteration in that chapels, only that they might soon have
clause, changing the word as to which, it in their power to shut Presbyterian
thereby making the clause merely a nar- churches. And they were eager to overrative of the general limitation to a Pro-  Lockhart Papers, vol. i. pp. 379-384; Burnet's Own
testant line, without any direct reference Times, vol. ii. p. 549.
*  7 -. - *    i r ol  * Ls     t Boston's Memoirs, p. 221, et seq.; Hog of Carnock's
to specia conditions. The Scottish Ja- Memoirs; Wodrow, Analecta and Letters.
42




330            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND               [CHAP. IX
throw the Presbyterian Church, because and most disastrous bill received the roy
they knew that the principles of religious al assent. Whether the hand of the misand civil liberty had there obtained a safe guided sovereign shook when affixing the
retreat, till they issued forth triumphant- sign manual has not been recorded; but
ly in the Revolution, which the Jacobites certainly at that moment she put her
wished to d.._  driving from the throne hand to a deed by which her right to
the Popish tyrant, whose lawless despot- reign was virtually rescinded, the Revoism they were conspiring to restore.  lution Settlement overturned, and the
The next measure brought forward by Treaty of Union repealed,; unless, inthe Scottish Jacobites was of a still more deed, the bill itself were to be regarded
pernicious character, and involved a still as an absolute nullity,-an idle arrangemore direct violation of the national faith, ment of mere words, " full of sound and
so solemnly pledged in the Act of Secu- fury, signifying nothing."  For it will
rity and the Treaty of Union. On the not be disputed by any person possessing
13th of March Mr. Murray, second son competent knowledge, that the British
of Lord Stormont, one of the Scottish sovereign reigns over the united empire,
members, rose and obtained leave to bring solely in virtue of the Act of Security,
in a bill for restoring church patronage which is the basis of Union. Any inin Scotland. By this time the Scottish fringement of that great, and, as it may
commissioners from the Church had re- almost be termed, creative act, must thereturned to their own country, not antici- fore be either, with regard to the British
pating any further infringement of their parliament, a suicidal deed, and with relegal rights and privileges at that period. gard to the sovereign a virtual abdicaAvailing themselves of the absence of tion; or must be altogether and for ever
her defenders, the enemies of the Church null and void, incapable of acquiring any
passed the bill with unusual rapidity possible degree of validity, or of imposthrough all its successive stages. On the ing upon any British subject the slightest
7th of April it passed the House of Corn- shadow of obligation. It may be safely
mans, one hundred and seventy-three affirmed, that no jurist will ever prove
members voting for it, and seventy-six that the British parliament ever did or
against it.  The very next day it was can, pass an act greater than, and subvercarried up to the House of Lords for their sive of, that to which it owes its own exconsideration. By this time tidings had istence.  It might have dethroned the
reached Scotland of the deadly blow aim- sovereign,-it might have repealed the
ed against the Church; and Carstares, Union; but it did not, it could not, and it
Blackwell, and Baillie, were again sent never can, impair the Act of Security,
to London, with instructions to offer the unless the thing created can annihilate
most strenuous opposition to the fatal its creator! But the law of patronage is
measure. Before they arrived the bill contrary to the Act of Security, which it
had reached the House of Lords; and was, and is avowedly beyond the power
althoughtheir Lordships consented to hear of the British legislature to violate; therethem by counsel on the subject, yet this fore that unconstitutional attempt to reimwas little more than empty courtesy, for pose patronage was, is, and must for
the fate of the bill had been pre-deter- ever be, absolutely null and void, accordmined. So manifestly was this the case, ing to every dictate of justice, sound reathat their lordships did not even allow  son, and constitutional law.
time for decent deliberation on a subject  Both the  contending  parties, the
of such vast international and religious Church of Scotland and her enemies, reimportance. They heard the council for gard the patronage act as a violation of
the Scottish commissioners, read the bill the Act of Security, as appears from their
a second time, committed it, reported it, respective statements. Lockhart of Carnand read it a third time, all in one day, wath says concerning it, " I pressed the
the fatal 12th of April. On the 14th, it Toleration and Patronage Acts more
was returned to the House of Commons earnestly, that I thought the Presbyterian
with some slight amendments, which clergy would be from thence convinced
were agreed to without opposition; and that the establishment of their Kirk
on the 22d of April that unconstitutional would in time be overturned, as it was




A. D. 1712.]         HISTORY OF THE CHURCH            OF SCOTLAND.                     33,
obvious that the security thereof was not        Such was the state of affairs when the
so thoroughly established by the Union as General Assembly met on the -st of May
theyimagined."*      The commissioners of. 1712.       Notwithstanding the recent violathe Church had, in their address and re- tions of the Act of Security, the Duke of
presentation   to the  queen, when      they   Athol, the commissioner, was instructed
were in London for the purpose of op- to           use  the   language    of approbation,
posing the passing of the Patronage Act, mingled with deceitfully soothing assurdeclared   it  to  be   "contrary    to  our ances of her majesty's "firm purpose to
Church constitution, so well secured by       maintain the Church of Scotland as esthe Treaty of Union."      This address the    tablished by law."    In answer to this, the
General Assembly       approved    and   em- Assembly referred her majesty to the rebodied in an act, thereby     giving it the   presentations and petitions laid before her
ratification of the whole Church,;And        by the Commission, as containing the
in a meeting of the Commission of As- views and feelings of the Church respectsembly, as Wodrow states, " it was own- ing the recent proceedings of Parliament.
ed by all, that patronages were a very         The Assembly further embodied the regreat grievance, and sinful in the impo- presentations,        petitions, and    addresses
sers, and a breach of the security of of the Commission in specific acts, giving
the   Presbyterian    constitution  by   the  them   thereby the fullest sanction of the
Union."t                                       whole Church; and gave also particular
Lockhart Papers, vol. i. p. 418.     instructions to the Commission to use all
* Lockhart Papers, vol. i. p. 418.
t Wodrow MS. In addition to the direct statements dutiful and proper means for obtaining
in the text from two such opposite yet concurrent redress of these rievanes    instructions
authorities as Lockhart and Wodrow, with regard to        tee gievane-             uctions
the views entertained by both parties respecting the which were repeated to every succeeding
effects intended by, or to be expected from, the Patronage Act, as calculated to impair the Scottish Church, Commission till the year 1784.  An atshake the Union, and prepare for the return of the tempt was also made by the Assembly to
exiled Popish Pretender, the following extracts deserve 
attention — " After that, an act was brought in for the frame such an explanation of the abjurarestoring of patronages: these had been taken away tion  th as would enable ministers to
by an act in King  illiam's reign. It was set up by  oath as would enable ministers to
the Presbyterians from their first beginning, as a prin-take it without doing direct violence to
ciple, that parishes had, from warrants in Scripture, a
right to choose their ministers; so that they had their conscientious scruples; and an adalways looked on the right of patronage as an invasion dress was prepared to be laid before the
made on that. It was therefore urged, that since, by
the Act of Union, Presbytery with all its rights and queen, testifying their inviolate loyalty to
privileges, was unalterably secured, and since their 
kirk-session was a branch of their constitution, the her person and government, and their firm
taking from them the right of choosing their ministers adherence to the principles of religious
was contrary to that act. Yet the bill passed through
both houses, a small opposition being only made in and civil liberty, and to the Protestant
either. By these steps the Presbyterians were alarm- s ionand s       itin       r majst
ed when they saw the success of every motion that succession,  d  upplicating her majesty
was made on design to weaken and undermiie their to employ her utmost care to protect the
establishment." (Burnet's Own Times, vol. ii. p. 595.)
"Although Mr Carstares did not succeed in his ap- Church of Scotland, and to interpose her
plication to parliament against the bill for restorin  royal authority for a just redress of these
patronages, yet his presence to London was of considerable advantag-e to the Churcl of Scotland, by giving recent  rievances.*
him an opportunity of thwarting some other projects,
which he considered as more dangerous in their ten-  The enemies of the Church of Scotdency, because they affected her constitution in a more land were considerably disappointed by
sensible manner. Some of her enemies, who were
then in administration, had proposed that her annual the conduct of the General Assembly.
Assemblies should be discontinued, as the source of all They had expected that the passing of
the opposition to the measures then pursued by the
court; others were of opinion that they ought to be these iniquitous and unconstitutional laws
permitted to meet, but should be prorogued by her          t 
majesty's authority, so soon as they were constituted. Would at once excite such an uncontrolAnd, to take away the only pretext for holding Asser- lable storm  of indignation as would disblies fbr the future, or their sitting for any time, a bill
was proposed, obliging presbyteries, under certain solve the Union, and throw all Scotland
penalties, to settle, upon a presentation, every man to io te h    f t 
whom the Church had given license to preach, with-into the hands of the Jazobltes, who
out any further trial or form." (Life of Carstares, pp. would so direct the torrent of popular
82, 83,)
o" There is no doubt that the restoration of the right fury as to procure the restoration of the
of lay patrons in Queen Anne's time was designed to Pretender first to the Scottish throne, and
separate the ministers of the Kirk from the people,
who could not be supposed to be equally attached to, then, by the aid of the vantage-ground so
or influenced by. a minister who held his living by the. an
gift of a great man, as by one who was chosen by gained, and through the intrigues of Botheir own firee voice,-and to render them more de- lingbroke  to that of England.     That
pendent on the nobility and amongst gentry, whom,
much more than the common people, the sentiments they thoroughly misunderstood the prinof Jacobitism predominated." (Sir Walter Scott's
Tales of a Grandfather, vol. ii. p. 242.)                 Acts of Assembly, year 1712.




332             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. IX.
ciples and character of Presbyterians is and dared. This they might have done,
manifest, since they presumed to think, and at the same time have declared with
that in a weak and sinful revenge of the most perfect truth, that this was not
wrongs sustained, true Presbyterians only no infringement of their own allewould perpetrate the greater wrong of giance, or of the Treaty of Union, but
aiding in replacing an avowed Papist that it was in reality the fulfilment and
on the throne.   Presbyterians couid defence of both. Nor were the Jacobites
not indeed but regard the law     of so powerful, and the new ministry so
patronage as sinful, since it was so far an firmly seated, as to have enabled them to
attempt to interfere with the great Pres- attempt the violent enforcement of a law
byterian principle of the sole Sovereignty so glaringly unconstitutional, and involvand Headship of the Lord Jesus over his ing such a manifest and infamous breach
Church; but they could not fail to see, of national faith. But that ground may
that to place a Popish monarch on the yet be taken, for the Act of Security still
throne of the kingdom would involve an remains; and the time may come, at no
immeasurably more flagrant violation of distant date, when the Church and peothat sacred principle. And because they ple of Scotland will call upon the British
thus felt and thought, the outrage which legislature, with a voice too distinct to be
they had sustained not only brought them  misunderstood, and too mighty to be disnot one hair's-breadth nearer to a junc- regarded, to rescind its own unlawful deed
tion with the Jacobites, but as they knew and to leave the Presbyterian Church in
by whom the nefarious deed had been the full possession of its rights and priviinstigated, they were the more confirmed leges, founded in the Redeemer's Divine
in their detestation of that treacherous Sovereignty, won by the blood of her
and tyrannical faction. This maybe re- heroic martyrs, and secured cy acts degarded as another proof how utterly im- dared to be inviolable. He would be a
possible it is for mere worldly-minded strange defender of the British constitumen to comprehend the principles and tion who should insist, that to maintain it
anticipate the conduct of Christians. in its integrity it was necessary to perThe Jacobites knew what they would petuate a vitiating act of national perfidy;
have done, had they been so treated; but and not less strangely would any defend
they failed miserably in their conjectures the Church of England, who should asof what the Church of Scotland would sert, that her safety depended upon the
do. So has it always been, so will it permanent continuation of an act ofgrievever be, when the man of the world pre- ous injustice committed against the Pressumes to foretell the conduct of the reli- byterian Church of'Scotland.
gious man, by the consciousness of what,  Not only was the Patronage Act so
in similar circumstances, would be his directly unconstitutional as to be essenown.                                 tially invalid, and absolutely incapable of
But the friends of the Church of Scot- ever acquiring validity,-not only was it
land had reason also to be disappointed forced through both houses of the legisby the conduct of the General Assembly. lature with such unseemly haste as to reHad her councils been at that time guid- semble the swift and stealthy motion of
ed by a Knox, a Melville, or a Hender- one who is pillaging his neighbour's
son, instead of a Carstares, there can be property,-thevery grounds of this illegal
little doubt that the Assembly would not and baneful act, as stated in the preamble,
only have declared the Act of Patronage were guileful misrepresentations and
an infraction of the Treaty of Union, as direct falsehoods. It begins by assertindeed was done, but also they would ing, in general terms, that "by the anhave declared it to be, for that very rea- cient laws and constitution of Scotland,
son, necessarily and essentially invalid; the presenting of ministers to vacant
and would have passed an act, strictly churches did of right belong to the pa.
prohibiting all probationers, ministers, trons, till, by the act of 1690, the presenand church courts, from yielding to it the tation was taken from the patrons, and
slightest degree of obedience, leaving to given to the heritors and elders of the rethe civil powers to attempt enforcing it spective parishes."  At the time of the
by persecution or otherwise, if they could Reformation there were nine hundred




A. D. 1712.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    333
and forty parishes in Scotland, and of which the great body of the people
these, only about two hundred were sub- deserted a parish church, on account of
ject to the presentation of lay patrons, the settlement of a minister under the au" by the ancient laws and constitution of thority of the General Assembly.*
Scotland."  Was it to regulate these that  That there were scenes of confusion is
the act of Queen Anne was passed?  It readily admitted; but these were invariacould not with truth and justice apply to bly caused by a Prelatic party unlawfully
more. It is not true that the presentation obstructing the settlement of a Presbywas given to the heritors and elders, for terian minister.t  And every one must
there was no presentation at all under the see that the Prelatists in any parish could
Revolution Settlement; the very word to have no more right to interfere in the setpresent, was rigidly excluded from the tlement of a Presbyterian minister, to
act, lest some such idea might be enter- cause confusion, and then to complain of
tained. Under the act 1690, ministers it, than Presbyterians in England would
were settled, not upon the foundation of have in the present day to impede the
their being proposed by heritors and settlement of an Episcopalian clergyman
elders, but upon that of the acceptance in any parish in that country, and then
and call of the people. This mendacious to assert that the strife so caused was a
preamble further states, that " that way proof of the evils of absolute patronage in
of calling ministers has proved inconve- England. The only other kind of "heats
nient, and has not only occasioned great and inconveniences" which arose at times
heats and inconveniences among those were those produced by competing calls,
who by the foresaid act were entitled and when two or more different parishes
authorised to call ministers, but likewise strove each to obtain the same individual
has been a great hardship upon the pa- to be their minister.  The principle by
trons, whose predecessors had founded which the Assembly was guided in deand endowed those churches, and who termining cases of competing calls and
had not received payment or satisfaction transportations, was not at that time refor their right of patronage."  Instead of gard to the emoluments, but to the relathe " way of calling ministers" under the tive importance of the different parishes,
act 1690 having " proved inconvenient," invariably deciding in behalf of that
by occasioning " great heats and incon- parish which appeared to offer the largest
veniencies," the very opposite is the sphere of public usefulness, which occatruth. When "heats and inconveniences" sionally, from the difficulty of arriving at
did prevail, they were caused, not by the a certain conclusion, caused considerable
opposition to the settlement of pious and delay. Yet these generous and kindly
faithful ministers by turbulent Presby- contests, as they may be termed, were far
terian congregations,-not even by reli- from being so numerous as has been
gious congregations opposing the settle- generally asserted. Some of them were
ment of ungoldly ministers,-but by determined by the presbyteries and syJacobites, Prelatists, and mobs of vagrants nods, in which case the vacancy in the
who could not be termed Christians at parish would not extend beyond a few
all, hired and set on by the guileful ene- months. Others were carried by appeal
mies of the Church of Scotland, to ob- to the Assembly; and in a very few instruct her reforming progress, to prevent stances the same case appeared at succesthe consolidation of national peace and sive Assemblies before a final settlewelfare, and to keep the country in such ment took place. But the whole numa state of confusion as might lead to the ber of such cases mentioned in the only
return of a Popish tyrant.  The framers authoritative records, those of the Genof that preamble were the very perpetra- eral Assembly, amounted to no more
tors of the scenes of tumult of which they than twelve or fourteen,t during a period
complained; and the proper remedy of twenty-two years, in which there
would have been a more stringent act must have been at least six or seven hunagainst those enemies of their country, dred settlements of ministers. So utterly
the Jacobites and Prelatists of Scotland.  - Sir Henry Moncrieffs Life of Erskine, Appendix,
During the whole period from 1690 to p. 433.
t1712, nt oe s e  Carstares' State Papers, p. 146.
1712, not one single instance occurred in  I Acts of Assembly.




334             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX.
false is the assertion of the preamble to force or treachery he had succeeded in
the Patronage Act, and so undeniably pillaging from  the Church.   If ever
true is the statement of Sir Henry Mon- truth, justice, and religious principle be
crieff, that " there is no period in the his- consulted in framing a legislative enacttory of the Church, in which the settle- ment respecting the patrimony of the
ment of ministers was conducted with so Church of Scotland, not merely will palittle bustle or heat, or with as much re- trons be deprived of their unhallowed
gularity, as during the interval from 1690 power to interfere with the rights and
to 1712."*  According to Wodrow there privileges of Christ's spiritual kingdom
were only five or six cases of disputed in the appointment of his office-bearers,
settlements which excited any degree of but they will be called to account for that
attention during all that period, arising stewardship into which they have unlawout of disagreements among the parties fully intruded, and to refund the ill-got
who had the right to propose, and these gains which they had so long perverted
were caused by improper conduct on the and abused. Nor ought it to be overpart of the heritors.  In one of these& looked, that although the act 1690 gave
cases, that of the parish of Cramond, in to patrons a right to the teinds, as com1709-10, the two leading heritors con- pensation for the loss of their patronages
tended, each wishing to procure the ap- (a compensation to which it would be
pointment of a favourite candidate; and difficult for church-spoliators to show any
in order to obtain a majority, " each side plausible claim), yet when their patroncreated new heritors to increase their ages were restored, they were not reparty."  " We are like," continues Wod- quired to restore the teinds, as common
row, "to be in very sad circumstances, justice would have dictated, but retained
from the power of heritors in calling; "both the purchase and the price."
and the same way of choosing of minis-  Scarcely, in short, can the annals of
ters is like to come in which was used in history furnish a parallel to the infamous
choosing members of parliament."t  So act reimposing patronage on the Church
naturally and inevitably does the secular of Scotland. Every statement in its preelement prove itself to be of a disruptive amble, on the strength of which it proand disorganizing tendency, when al- ceeded, was either cunningly deceptive or
lowed at all to intermingle among the directly false; it was manifestly contrary
elemental powers of spiritual matters.  to the Act of Security. and therefore was
It is scarcely necessary to notice the either essentially and necessarily invalid,
falsehood in the preamble respecting "the then and for ever, or to whatsoever exhardship upon the patrons, whose pre- tent its validity might be supposed to
decessors had founded and endowed these reach, to that extent it was a repeal of the
churches," caused by the act abolishing Union, and a deadly stab to the British
patronage; for every one knows that this constitution; and its consequences, as
frontless assertion is not only destitute of subsequent times have too amply testified,
truth, but that in reality many of these have been and are fatally pernicious to
patrons, instead of founding and endow- the spiritual integrity and the national
ing the Church, had been themselves usefulness of the Church of Scotland.
founded and endowed out of its spolia- That it must be swept away sooner or
tion. Their predecessors had been either later, is absolutely certain; for the reign
those rapacious and unprincipled men of fraud and falsehood cannot be eternal,
who robbed, defrauded, and attempted to their very nature being self-destructive.
tyrannize over the Church at the time of And if the time has not yet come, it soon
the Reformation, thwarting all its benevo- must, when the generous heart of Englent schemes, and impairing its national land, roused by the remonstrances of
usefulness, or those mean and sycophan- the Scottish Church and people, and entic minions of James VI., on whom that lightened and directed by Him who is
heartless despot bestowed with lavish " Head over all things to the Church,"
hands the wealth and honours which by will call upon the British legislature to
remove from its records so foul a stain, so
Life of Erskine, Appendix, p. 432.  black a violation of sacred national faith,
t Wodrow, Analetta, quoted by Dr M'Crie in theerpetrated by  unworthy hands o
Patronage Report, p. 363.             perpetrated by the unworthy hands o




A. D. 1713.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  335
" the most corrupt ministry that ever sat tion, the boldest course of conduct is alat the helm of government."          ways both the safest and the best. When
Before passing forward from this sub- the Act of Glasgow expelled nearly four
ject, there is one remark of an explana- hundred ministers at once, it still left a
tory nature pertaining to the history of majority behind; and, though the sword
the period, which must be made. The of persecution was deeply bathed in blood,
representations and petitions of the Cor- and the fires of persecution raged fiercely
mission, and the embodying of these in over the land for twenty-eight terrific
the Acts of Assembly, sufficiently prove years, the cause of the homeless and perthe light in which the Patronage Act secuted minority triumphed, because it
was regarded by the Church of Scotland, was the cause of truth and godliness.
as a direct infringement upon her rights And had a similar course been taken by
and privileges, and an unconstitutional the right-minded Presbyterians, though a
violation of the Union. But it may be minority, it is impossible to doubt that
asked, why, entertaining such views, did a similar result would have followed in a
not the Church adopt a bolder line of much shorter period of time. But, misprocedure, imitate the example of the led by Carstares, who was better achigh-souled men of other days, refuse quainted with the wiles of state diplomacy
submission, and prepare to endure perse- than with the unbending firmness of
cution for conscience's sake, if'come it Christian principle, and vitiated by the
must? Because the Church had lost the admission of the prelatic incumbents and
martyr spirit. And this loss was caused their progeny and coadjutors, the growby the deep infusion of Prelacy, or semi- ing Moderate party, the Church began
Prelacy, arising out of William's disas- to prefer expediency to principle, and was
trous policy and the Church's sinful com- left to experience the bitter consequenpliance, in the admission of the prelatic ces of her want of faith, in a century
incumbents.  By such men patronage of death-like spiritual lethargy, in the
could not be regarded as to any great ex- loss of the nation's respect and love, and
tent a grievance, although they could not in the dangers by which she is surrounddeny that it was utterly repugnant to the ed, and the agonies which she endures,
principles and constitution of Presbyte- in her present state of returning faithfulrian church government; and therefore, ness and re-awakening life.
while they could not oppose the represen-  The Cameronian Covenanters, who
tations and petitions of the Assembly, had never joined the Church of Scotland
founded on principles which they them- as established at the Revolution, and who
selves had subscribed, they would not had remained for a number of years withhave joined their better and sincerer out a minister, obtained at length a minisbrethren in any such decided opposition ter, the Rev. John Macmillan, who was
to that act as might have involved them- deposed in the year 1706, on account of
selves in danger.  Gravely to remon- having adopted and defended the opinions
strate, and then smilingly to yield, was of that rigid but high-principled body.
all that these proto-moderates could do; The records of the proceedings which
and the faithful defenders of true Presby- led to his deposition reflect little creterian principles,-the evangelical party dit on the Church of Scotland, either
of the day,-werein a manner constrained with regard to principle or prudence.
to choose between stopping when they For it would not be easy to prove that
had reached the extreme point to which the Cameronians held doctrines so far diftheir temporizing brethren would go, and ferent from those inculcated in the Standincurring the hazard of an extensive and ards of the Church, and acted upon in
probably fatal schism, should they attempt its purest times, as to have exposed then
to proceed beyond that point. Even this justly to any high degree of church cen.
peril a Luther or a Knox would at once sure; and while the Church was admithave braved, and, by braving, would ting prelatic curates "on the easiest terms"
have triumphed over it; for as all history, it was neither prudent nor seemly to deal
especially church history, testifies, the harshly with men who might be narrow
path of principle and the path of duty and limited in their views. but who were
are the same; and, following their direc- at least zealous and faithful Presbyterians.




336             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. IX
When Mr. Macmillan joined these men, them bitterly of being willing to disturl
they gradually assumed a more regular the peace and endanger the safety of the
aspect; and though they felt themselves Church, rather than sacrifice their own
deeply aggrieved by the cold treatment scruples of conscience. Yet it was clear
which they received, and were not slack that the non-jurants were exposed to the
in expressing their resentment, yet they pains and penalties of the law, because
continued to watch the course of public they refused the oath, and were willing to
affairs with intense anxiety, and to stand meet the hazard rather than violate their
prepared for any great and dangerous own conscience; whereas the jurants
emergency.   The Acts of Toleration were exposed to no such dangers, and
and Patronage roused their indignation; ought therefore rather to have striven to
and as the Church of Scotland had not protect their brethren, than to have aggramet these public infringements of the vated their grievances by harsh and intolUnion and of principle with such prompt erant treatment. It is creditable to Carcondemnation as she ought, the Camero- stares, that he exerted himself strenuously
nians resolved to declare their views in to prevent the threatened schism; and
the most solemn and public manner in procured an act of Assembly, inculcating
their power. Accordingly, on the 23d forbearance with regard to taking or not
of July, the societies met in a body at taking the oath, representing it as conAuchinsaugh, near Douglas, and after a paratively a matter of indifference. Had
general acknowledgment of sins, national it not been for his influence, which was
and personal, they solemnly renewed the very great in the Assembly, the contest
Covenants, making, at the same time, would in all likelihood have proved a
such specific statements in their engage- schism, which might have proved destrucment to duties as were necessary to ac- tivetothe Churchin that periodof danger."
commodate the general obligations of the The non-jurants, indeed, acted.with exCovenants to their own case and circum- treme forbearance, notwithstanding the
stances.* There could be no impropriety perils to which they were exposed. Alin this act, viewed in itself; indeed it was most the entire body of the people detested
one in which it would have been well if the abjuration oath; and in many instances,
the whole body of Scottish Presbyterians no sooner did a minister take it, than the
had joined; but it was not followed by congregation deserted his ministry, and
any consequences of such practical good flocked to the church of one who had reas might have been expected. Unpropi- fused. Itwouldhavebeen easy forthe non.
tious strifes and jarrings prevailed among jurants to have raised a storm of civil cornthem, fomented by a few men of greater motion in the land, if they had been so diszeal than knowledge or judgment, and posed, but they generally did their utmost
prevented them from assuming, for many to discountenance these desertions, and conyears, that united and harmonious aspect tinued to hold ministerial intercourse with
which could alone give them  strength their jurant brethren, even at the hazard
and importance in the community, and of so far losing the affection of their own
which in later times they acquired and congregations. Even Boston had to encontinue to display.                 counter the strong displeasure of his pa[1713.] The subject of greatest impbr- rishioners, because, though he would not
tance which occupied the attention of the take the oath, yet he would neither speak
Assembly which met in 1713, was that against those who did, nor refrain from
which arose out of the oath of abjuration. holding intercourse with them.
A very considerable number of the best  The Commission of the Assembly, at
ministers refused to take that oath; and a its meeting in August, drew up an adschism was like to take place between dress, which was read from all the pulpits,
those who felt at liberty to swear and warning the nation against the designs of
those who did not, or the jurants and the the Papists and Jacobites, pointing out
non-jurants. And it deserves to be re- the deceptive nature of their intrigues,
marked, that the jurants were more severe and the evils in which their success would
against their non-jurant brethren, than the involve the country. t  This address had
non-jurants were againstthem,-accusing  Boston's Memoirs, pp. 223-225.  t Wiison's TesStrutthers' History of Scotland, p. 164, et seq.  timony, pp. 42, 43.




A. D. 1714.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     337:
a very beneficial influence in guarding Church. There had for some time been
the people against the machinations of the current reports that Mr. John Simpson,
rebellious Jacobites, and frustrating their professor of divinity at Glasgow, taught
hopes of rousing Scotland to arm in be- Arminian and Pelagian tenets; but the
half of the Popish Pretender; and con- members of his own presbytery appear
tributed greatly to break the force of the to have been unwilling to institute a proinsurrection when it did actually burst out cess against him.  The report was, howtwo years afterwards. It proved, at the ever, taken up by the Rev. James Websame time, how completely the most wily ster, one of the ministers of Edinburgh,
politicians had misunderstood the princi- as a matter of too serious importance to
ples of the Church of Scotland, in ima- be permitted to continue without being
gining that the wrongs which she had investigated. When the case came before
sustained would irritate her to the comr- the Assembly, instead of remitting it to
mission of treason against her own Divine the presbytery of Glasgow, with instrucHead and King, by aiding in the restora- tions to make due inquiry, the task of contion of a Popish claimant to the throne.  ducting the prosecution was cast upon
In the index of the unprinted acts of Mr. Webster, as if it had been a private
Assembly 1713, there are several refer- affair, and not one which deeply concernences to the case of a Mr. William    ed the whole Church.*  The leaven of
Dugud, probationer.  This person had Moderatism was now beginning to put
received a presentation from the crown, forth its corrupting power, producing
as patron of the parish of Burntisland, laxity of principle, and that pernicious
under the act 1712, and had the temerity tendency to screen delinquents and to disto accept it and lay it before the presbytery courage men of fidelity and zeal, by which
of Kirkaldy.  It was repelled by the it has always been characterised.
presbytery, and came by appeal before the  An act was passed in this Assembly,
Assembly. The Assembly entered warm- appointing an address to be presented to
ly into the case, deprived Mr. Dugud of her majesty, complaining of " the grievhis license, and caused a memorial to be ances which this Church lies under, from
drawn up, to be presented to her majesty the growth of Popery, the insolence of
by the commissioner, the Duke of Athol, Papists, and the illegal encroachments
who readily undertook the charge.* This and intrusions of the Episcopal ministers
prompt and decisive conduct on the part and their adherents."  The necessity for
of the Assembly, together with the pro- this act and address arose out of the riottests and resolutions of several presby- ous and outrageous proceedings of the
teries and synods against receiving pre- Prelatic Jacobites of Aberdeen, who had
sentations and proceeding upon them   violently taken possession of the Old
without a call from  the congregation, Church in that city, expelling the profeswhich was then, as it previously was and sor of divinity, Mr. David Anderson, and
still is, regarded as the primary and ruling his congregation, whose regular place of
element in forming the pastoral connec- worship it was.t  So extravagantly lawtion, had the effect of deterring both irre- less were the proceedings of the Scottish
ligious patrons and ambitious and wordly- Prelatists at this time, trusting in the faminded probationers from venturing to at- vour of the infidel Bolingbroke, who, as
tempt the enforcement of the perfidious and is well known, was employing every
unconstitutional act reimposing patron- artifice to procure the succession of the
ages,tillthat generation was passingaway. Popish Pretender, that it was found ne[1714.] There is a melancholy interest cessary to pass in parliament another
attached to the year 1714, with regard to Rabbling Act, to prevent them from absothe Church of Scotland, as the first in lutely pulling down those Presbyterian
which the General Assembly manifested churches into which they found it difficult
a disinclination to proceed with due strict- to intrude so as to secure possession. Yet
ness against ministers who were accused these lawless men were at the very same
of holding and teaching doctrines contrary time continuing to utter loud complaints
to Scripture and to the Standards of the of the persecution which they had to susU* nprnted Acts of Assembly; Patronage Report,'Unprinted Acts of Assembly.  t Act xii. of
pp. 365, 366.                         Assembly 1714.
43




338              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX.
tain from Presbyterians! And Scottish tions as might eventually secure his
Prelatists can yet be found rash enough acquittal.*
to repeat the mendacious tale! They     The next act of importance is " conwould more consult the credit of their cerning the grievances of the Church
ancestors, and their own reputation for from toleration, patronages," &c.  This
knowledge and veracity, did they allow  act embodies a memorial to his majesty,
the records of those times to sink into which the Duke of Montrose was reoblivion, lest it become necessary for the quested to present and support.  In the
Church of Scotland, in her own defence, first part of this memorial, the Assembly
to drag anew their deeds of darkness to pointed out the unequal character of the
the light.                            toleration, inasmuch as, while it gave the
But while the Jacobite party were thus utmost possible freedom to Episcopalian
employing every violent and treacherous dissenters in Scotland, notwithstanding
method in their power for the overthrow  their avowed Jacobitism, and their refusal
of the Church of Scotland, as a prelim- to take the oaths of allegiance and abjuinary step to the subversion of the Revo- ration, it did not give the same liberty to
lution and the recall of the exiled Pre- Presbyterian dissenters in England.  In
tender to the crown, their hopes were truth, the Act of Toleration, against which
suddenly blasted by the death of Queen the Church of Scotland complained as a
Anne, on the 1st of August 1714, and grievance, was totally different from what
the instantaneous dissolution of that cor- is properly meant by the term toleration.
rupt administration, by whose evil deeds Its nature and intention was, to give enso dark a stain had been brought upon couragement to Prelacy and discouragethe latter years of her reign. The un- ment to Presbytery; and it was because
opposed succession  of the Elector of of its unjust partiality, not because of its
Hanover, George I., drove that fierce and toleration, that the Church of Scotland
unprincipled faction into a frantic and regarded it as a grievance.  Yet, because
premature attempt to place by force of they complained of an act of a persecutarms the Popish exile on the throne. ing character, disguised under a plausible
The detail of the events of the unsuccess- name, they have been, and still are accusful rebellion must be left to the civil his- ed of intolerance, and of cherishing a
torian; but it must here be stated, that persecuting spirit. Surely neither State
the injuries done to the Church of Scot- nor Church is bound to countenance and
land by Jaobite intrigues had great in- cherish error, though they may tolerate,
fluence in preventing many Presbyterians, pity, and attempt to instruct the erring;
who disapproved of the Union, from join- and surely it is not intolerance to abstain
ing the rebels, and thus the consequences from elevating to places of public trust
of their evil deeds recoiled with fatal ef- and influence men who are known to enfect upon their own guilty heads.     tertain principles whose native tendency
[1715.] When the Assembly met in is destructive to the public welfare.
May 1715, its attention was chiefly occu-  That part of the memorial which refers
pied by two topics which have always to patronage deserves to be extracted, in
manifested a peculiar affinity for each order to show the opinions then entertainother by their simultaneous appearance, ed respecting that grievance.  " By the
-unsoundness of doctrine and the griev- act restoring the power of presentation to
ance of patronage.  An act was passed patrons, the legally established constituappointing a committee for preserving the tion of this Church was altered in a very
purity of doctrine, and for considering the important point; and while it appears
process of Mr. Webster against Professor equitable in itself, and agreeable to the
Simson. The instructions to the cor- liberty of Christians and a free people, to
mittee, contained in this act, exhibit but have interest in the choice of those to
too plainly a predetermination to throw  whom they entrust the care offheir souls,
every possible obstruction in the way of it is a hardship to be imposed upon in so
Mr. Webster, so as to render the proof tender a point, and that frequently by paof the accusation almost impossible; trons who have no property or residence
while every facility was given to Profes- in the parishes; and this, besides the
sor Simson to frame such evasive explana-' Act of Assembly 1715.




A. D. 1717.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    339
snares of simonaical factions. and the rise in support of the government, they
many troubles and contests arising from  were still less disposed to lend direct assis.
the power of patronages, and the abuses tance to a Popish Pretender to the crown.
thereof by disaffected patrons putting their They had been injured deeply in their
power into other hands, who as effectually dearest interests and most valued rights
serve their purposes,-by patrons corn- and privileges, by the acts of Queen
peting for the right of presentation in the Anne's latter years, and had obtained no
same parish,-and by frequently present- redress from the new sovereign; thereing ministers, settled in eminent posts, to fore they stood comparatively aloof from
mean and small parishes, to elude the the contest, merely acting upon the deplanting thereof,-by all which parishes fensive against the rebels, under the inare often kept long vacant, to the great fluence of an unwise though not an unnahindrance of the progress of the gospel."* tural resentment. But the very fact of
Such were the bitter fruits which patron- this stern unmoving attitude, in such a
age was beginning to bear within three time, ought to have taught a wise and payears after its unconstitutional reimposi- ternal government to grant such an imtion upon the Church of Scotland,-fruits mediate and complete redress as would
which might gratify infidels and enemies have restored the alienated affections of a
of Christianity, such as Bolino-broke and brave, high-minded, intelligent, and relithe Jacobites, but which seems strange gious people, whose allegiance to their
that any man professing to be a lover of king was based upon and regulated by
religious purity and national welfare could their fear and love of God..contemplate, without immediately and  Nothing of peculiar importance was
strenuously exerting himself to procure done by the Assembly. The case of
the uprooting of that tree of death.  Professor Simson was again referred to a
A severe act was passed by the same As- committee, who were directed to proceed
sembly against some ministers, and two with all due expedition in preparing the
probationers, in the counties of Dumfries matter for a final decision by next Asand Galloway, who manifested a strong sembly. One act was passed, of no great
inclination to countenance the Covenanters, importance in itself, but throwing conand to join Mr. Macmillan, who was as siderable light upon the subject of patronyet their only regular minister, although age and intrusion. It referred to that
these ministers, Messrs. Taylor, Hepburn, person who had signalized himself by beand Gilchrist, had held partial com- ing the first to accept a presentation after
munion with them. It is painful to have the passing of the Patronage Act,to record, that the Church of Scotland had namely, William Dugud. Upon being
exhibited a more intolerant spirit in its deprived by the Assembly of his license,
treatment of its own better children, the he joined the Scottish Prelatists; and we
remnant of the Covenanters, and those find him busy raising a mob, and at its
who were disposed to favour them, than it head endeavouring to effect a forcible indid towards the persecuting and rebellious trusion into the church of Burntisland.*
Prelatists.  It suggests too strongly the So strong is the congenial affinity beidea of severity against the weak, and a tween Prelacy, patronage, and intrusion,
mean and timid compromise with the that the potential presence of any one of the
strong.                             three has always tended to the introduc[ 716.] Before the next meeting of the tion of the others; and, when in full and
General Assembly, the kingdom   had united operation, the result has always
been shaken by the storm of civil war, been a fearful amount of worldly-mindedraised by the rebellion of the Jacobites. ness in the clerical body, spiritual despotIn this dangerous period the Church of ism in church courts, and spiritual leScotland manifestedthemost unshaken loy- thargy throughout the community, disalty, notwithstanding the injurious treat- turbed by acts of tyranny on the part of
ment which it had received since the Union. the ecclesiastical rulers, and partially
And although in many parts of the coun- counteracted by dissent or secession.
try the people, resenting their grevious  [1717.] The course of defection on
wrongs, could not be prevailed upon to  * Acts xiv. and xv. of Assembly 1716; also Unprinted
Assembly 1715, act ix.    Acts.




340             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX.
which the Church of Scotland had en- that court the particular question to which
tered became more and more apparent his answer had been the most unsatisfac.
every year, and the Assembly of 1717 tory.  The question, or rather article,
was guilty of several acts more glaringly was this:-" That I believe that it is not
evil than those of its predecessors.  The sound and orthodox to teach, that we
case of Professor Simson was finally de- must forsake sin in order to our coming
cided by this Assembly; and although it to Christ, and instating us in covenant
was clearly proved that he had taught with God."   The Assembly not only
Arminian and Pelagian tenets, the As- prohibited the presbytery of Auchterarsembly merely found, that he had vented der, and all other presbyteries, from resome opinions not necessary to be taught quiring subscription to any formula but
in divinity; had used some expressions such as had been expressly approved of
which are capable of bearing a bad sense, by the Assemblies of the Church; but
and are employed in that sense by adver- further declared their " abhorrence of the
saries; and that in answering the objec- foresaid proposition, as unsound, and most
tions urged by the antagonists of the gos- detestable as it stands and was offered to
pel, he had made use of hypotheses that Mr. Craig."  And  the presbytery of
tend to attribute too much to natural rea- Auchterarder was commanded to answer
son and the power of corrupt nature; to the Commission what they could dewhich expressions and hypotheses they sign by such a proposition.*  Against
prohibited him from using for the future. this hasty sentence of the Assembly
This culpable lenity appears to have several of the best ministers of the Church
arisen in a great measure from the de- remonstrated, but could not prevent its
plorable fact, that a large proportion passing.
of the Assembly were themselves tainted  In the unprinted acts of this Assembly,
with opinions equally unsound, many of there are two acts relating to the case of
the members having been the pupils, or Mr. John Hay, who had been appointed
being the relations and personal friends to the parish of Peebles; but, although
of the heretical professor.*  Great alarm  his call was signed by several heritors
was felt by the more sound and orthodox and elders, the opposition to his settlement
part of the Church, lest this unfaithful by the people was so strong, that the
procedure should tend to encourage that presbytery refused to proceed with it.
proneness to innovations and to laxity of The first act required the presbytery
doctrine which were already but too pre- to proceed with the settlement, and apvalent, especially among the young and pointed a committee to confer with the
recently admitted ministers.          presbytery and with the people of the
This alarm  was instantaneously in- parish, in order to remove, if practicable,
creased by another act passed by the As- the opposition. Not finding the opposisembly on the very same day on which tion so easily removed, and the majority
such tenderness was shown to heresy. of the Presbytery being still reluctant to
Aware of the tendency to false doctrine ra- proceed contrary to- the feelings of the
pidly springing up among young men, the people, another act was passed, "appointpresbytery of Auchterarder, with a view to ing certain brethren to correspond with
prevent the growth of the evil in their the presbytery of Peebles, and to act and
bounds, prepared a series of searching vote in their meetings at their next enquestions, which were proposed to stu- suing diet, and thereafter until the settledents, and required to be answered before ment of Mr. John Hay in the parish of
they should receive license to preach. A  Peebles be completed, and to concur with
young man, named William Craig, had ap- them in his ordination."t  By this device
peared before the presbytery of Auchterar- both the opposition of the people and the
der; and though his trials were sustained conscientious reluctance of the presbytery
in the general form, yet, because he did not were surmounted, and an unscrupulous
give satisfaction in his answers to their hireling intruded upon an unwilling conown series of questions, they refused to gregation.  And it is of importance to
grant him an extract of his license. He mark, that this was the first instance on
appealed to the Assembly, and laid before
appealed* tthAsml* Acts of Assembly; Boston's Memoirs, p. 266.
Acts of Assembly; Willison's Testimony, p. 45.  t Unprinted Acts of Assembly, year 1717.




A. D. 1718.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    841
record in which the superior church which had hitherto prevailed in Scotland,
courts appointed an ambulatory commis- by the introduction of this refined Armision, with powers to outvote and overrule nianism. A similar process was at the
the conscientious reluctance of a presby- same time going on in England among
tery to inflict a grievous wrong upon the the Dissenters. Baxter's writings had
people; giving thereby a precedent to a gained, as on many accounts they justly
course of procedure which was a few deserved, great celebrity; and many folyears afterwards matured into a system  lowed his views respecting the doctrine of
under the sway of Moderate policy during: grace, which  are deeply tinged with
its first dynasty, when its decrees were Arminian notions. A controversy arose
regularly carried into effect by these which turned chiefly on the question,'Riding Committees," as they were" Whether the gospel is a new law, or
termed, from their dragoon-like array, constitution, promising salvation upon a
and doughty achievements in the cause certain condition " some making that
of spiritual despotism.              condition to be faith, others making it
A few sentences may be necessary for faith and repentance, to which others
explaining the conduct of the Assembly added sincere though imperfect obedience
in its rash condemnation of what some of Those who maintained the affirmative
its members scornfully termed " The were termed Neonomians, or new-law
Auchterarder Creed."  Those who are men; those who opposed this theory were
conversant with modern church history by its adherents unjustly termed Antinoare aware, that Arminian tenets were mians.  It will easily be seen that the
adopted by a large proportion of the Eng- theory of the Neonomians was essentially
lish clergymen, very soon after their con- Arminian, though it did not assume an
demnation by the Synod of Dort. When aspect so manifestly unscriptural. In this
Prelacy was forced into Scotland by the less offensive form it made great progress
treachery of James I. and the violence of in Scotland, where, from  the causes
his sons, Arminianism came along with it already mentioned, too many were predisin its most glaring aspect; and even after posed to receive it, in preference to the
the overthrow of Scottish Prelacy, the sterner tenets of the genuine Presbyterian
evil taint was found to have diffused itself Church, whose standards they had subbeyond the direct Prelatists, and to have scribed, but were exceedingly desirous to
been imbibed by many of the indulged modify and soften.
ministers. By them, and by the Prelatic  The older and sounder ministers strove
incumbents, whom William's pernicious to stem this tide of innovation, but with
policy induced the Church of Scotland to little success.  The Neonomians were
admit at and after the Revolution, these soon the most numerous, as they were
erroneous notions werk still more exten- readily joined by all the admitted Prelatsively spread throughout the Scottish ists, and by the greater part of the inChurch, especially among the young dulged; and, as it may be easily supposed,
ministers. Two other circumstances com- they found most favour from men of the
bined partially to modify, and yet aid in world, who are always delighted to hear
the diffusion of erroneous doctrines. For the gospel characterized as a " milder
some time previous to the Revolution, dispensation," by which expression they
considerable numbers of young men went are prone to understand, one that may be
from Scotland to Holland to be educated violatedwith comparative impunity. Nor
for the ministry, the distracted and op-was it strange that the party which loved
pressed state of their own country not per- to regard the gospel as a new and mitimnitting them to obtain the necessary in- gated law, should be found the most comstruction at home. But Holland itself pliant, when statesmen wished to mould
had imbibed many of the tenets of Armi- into greater conformity with their own
nius, notwithstanding the counteracting inclinations the constitution and governinfluence of such men as Witsius; and ment of the Church. And for this reaseveral of the young Scottish students son also, that party received a degree of
adopted these sentiments, and, returning political countenance and support, which
to their native country, attempted to their opponents, the more orthodox and
supersede the strong Calvinistic doctrines truly Presbyterian party, could not hope




342             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. IX,
to obtain.  To counteract this growing into covenant with God. What they conspirit of innovation and defection, as far demned in such strong terms was their
as might be m their power, the evangeli- own prejudiced construction of a really
cal party exerted themselves to the utmost sound proposition, and not that orthodox
both in composing new works, calculated tenet which it was intended to express.
to exhibit and diffuse sound doctrine, and It will be found that these remarks apply
by republishing old ones of a similar to much of the contest which arose at this
character.  They endeavoured also to time, and so deeply agitated the Church
make their examinations of young men for several dangerous years.
preparing for the ministry, such as should  While sitting in the General Assembly
not only test their religious opinions, but during the discussions respecting Proshould likewise tend to convey sound in- fessor Simson and the Auchterarder prostruction to those who might be willing position, the Rev. Thomas Boston hapto receive it. The catechism written by pened to mention to Mr. Drummond of
Mr. Hamilton of Airth, to which refer- Crief, that he had met with an old book
ence was formerly made, was one of the called the Marrow of Modern Divinity,
productions to which this scheme of the with which he had been much pleased.
evangelical party gave birth. Hog of Mr. Drummond, with some difficulty,
Carnock distinguished himself greatly by procured a copy of the work thus recomhis labours in behalf of sound doctrine; mended.  It was perused and approved
and nearly all the popular works of Bos- of by Mr. Webster of Edinburgh, Mr.
ton were written for the same purpose, Hog of Carnock, and other eminent diand were of incalculable service to the vines.  Subsequently, Mr. Hog, by the
cause of truth.   The " Auchterarder advice of his friends, wrote a recommenCreed," as it was scoffingly called, pre- datory preface to it, and it was republished
sents one instance of the various attempts in the course of the year 1718.'  The
made by presbyteries to secure the ortho- importance of this apparently slight incidoxy of those to whom they gave license dent, in its ultimate bearing upon the
to preach, that they might preach not Church of Scotland, cannot well be over" another gospel," but the truth as it is in estimated, as shall shortly appear.
Jesus.  The strong terms in which the   The only other subject of importance
Assembly condemned the proposition al- which occurred this year, was the drawready quoted, will scarcely excite sur- ing up of a memorial by Wodrow the
prise, when the sentence is viewed as historian, which he sent to Colonel Erpronounced by polemical disputants. Yet skine of Cardross, to guide that gentlethe full amount of that polemical asperity man in his application to government for
which dictated a censure so severe against redress of those grievances under which
a proposition certainly true, though some- the Church of Scotland groaned, especiwhat loosely expressed, could not be en- ally that of patronage.  The whole of
tirely accounted for without a closer view  this imrportant document deserves attenof the course adopted by the Neonomians. tion, as a few sentences will prove.
Instead of meeting in fair argument the "'Nothing can more nearly affect the preaccusations urged against their new sys- sent and the after generation, this Naten, they endeavoured to recriminate upon tional Church, and even his majesty's
their antagonists, and accused them vehe- government, than a right, regular, and
mently of Antinomianism.  In this spirit scriptural establishment as to the settling
they evidently regarded the Auchterarder of ministers.  The foundation of almost
proposition as containing one of the all the wrong reasonings upon this head,
darkest of the Antinornian tenets; where- is a notion got into the heads of too many
as a little more discrimination and can- persons of rank and figure, that gospel
dour, and a little less party prejudice, ministers are a set of men whom custom
might have enabled them to perceive that hath beat in to talk a while once a-week
it was intended merely to guard against to them upon serious subjects, and therethe unsound doctrine, that a man must of fore are to have a maintenance and subhimself first abandon sin, and cease to be sistence allowed them, as law accords;
a sinner, before he can be at liberty or and such who are bound by law to give
entitled to come to Christ, and to enter      Boston's Memoirs, pp. 266,267.




A. D. 1719.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    313
them their small stipends are to call and  [1719.] In the year 1719, an act of
choose them; meanwhile they have no parliament was passed in consequence of
notion of a pastoral charge, or the merit the complaints and remonstrances of the
in all duties and relations betwixt a min- Church, calculated to put an end to some
ister and those for whom he must account, of the abuses of patronage, and by
as well as that his hearers must give ac- many thought to be available for a great
count of this great gift to them. Besides deal more. One of the glaring abuses
this gross notion of a gospel ministry and of patronage consisted in patrons presenttheir maintenance, it is lamentably evi- ing to vacant charges ministers who
dent that statesmen and persons of rank were already in more, important situaand quality have of a long time been tions, or who were known to be so hosessaying to involve this Church and the tile to patronage that they would not acjudicatory thereof in their parties and cept presentations at all. By such means
designs, and to make tools of ministers to the parishes were kept vacant for several
carry on their secular purposes. As to years, during which time the patrons reministry brought into abchurch by the tained possession of the stipend, thereby
power of patrons, they must be dependent defrauding the Church of its patrimony,
and servile, and so corrupt and despised. and the people of a minister. By this
We have this to encourage us in this ap- act it was declared, that if any patron
plication, that the king, when Elector of should present to a vacant charge the
Hanover, did express his dislike of the minister of any other parish, or any perbill for bringing in patrons, as what son who should not accept or declare his
would break his best friends in Scotland. willingness to accept of the presentation
I do not see that any smoothings in this within the usual time-six months-such
affair will do. Restricting of patrons, if presentation should not be accounted any
the people be forfeited of their just right, interruption of the course of time allowed
or obliging them to take the consent of to the patron for presenting, but the jus
presbyteries before they present a min- devolutum should take place as if no preister already fixed to a congregation, will sentation had been offered.  This was
but line the yoke, and make it sit closer certainly calculated to put an end to that
to our necks, and perpetuate it upon us form of abuse; but at the time it was
and posterity."*  Such were the opin- generally thought to be equivalent to a
ions of the sagacious and thoughtful repeal of the Patronage Act; " and that
Wo lrow. Had he been filled with the no Presbyterian would ever expressly despiril of prophecy, he could not more dare his accepting of a presentation to go
justly have characterised patrons and so far to approve or comply with patronpatronage, or more accurately have fore- age, which Presbyterians had always detold the evil consequences about to fol- dared to be a heavy yoke and burden on
low; and it were well if men in the pre- the Church of God."*  And accordingsent times would ponder upon the danger ly, says Willison, "cthere was no man
of all attempts to devise such a restriction that presumed to take, accept, or make
of that intolerable yoke as shall merely use of a presentation for several years
give it a firmer clasp, and render it a per- after this act was passed."  It was, inpetual bondage.                       deed, proposed by some, that the As[1718.] The only act of the Assembly sembly should follow up this act of parof 1718 to which it is necessary to advert liament by another of their own, prohibwas one concerning the presbytery of iting all probationers and ministers from
Auchterarder; from which it appears, accepting presentations, on pain of the
that the presbytery had given such an ex- highest church censures, being persuad
planation of their meaning in the cen- ed that government intended to give to the
sured proposition as satisfied the Commis- Church this opportunity of getting quit
sion.  They were therefore exonerated of patronage without the formality of a
from further blame, and merely warned legislative enactment.  Others thought
to abstain from using such questionable that all that was intended was only to put
language for the future.              an end to the abuse of evasive presentations. But amid this diversity of opinion
S* ee the document quoted by Dr. M'Crie Patronage
Report, Pp. 36, 365.                           " Willison's Testimony, p. 48,




344             HISTORY OF THE CIURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX.
respecting:the real intention of the act, which are inconsistent with our Confes
and lulled into security by regarding the sions of Faith;  and that the recomdangers arising out of the exercise of menders of such books and pamphlets,
patronage as now removed, and with al or the errors:therein contained, be called
growing Moderate party already pre- before them, to answer for their conduct
dominant in the church courts, who hadl in such recommendations."'  The Cornlittle predilection for the original princi- mission entered upon the discharge of
pies of Presbytery, the Church did not this duty with keen alacrity.  They
avail itself of this opportunity of throw- chose what they termed a "committee
ing off the yoke, or at least of testing the for preserving the purity of doctrine," who
sincerity of the friendly professions of nominated a sub-committee to sit at St.
government. By chis restriction the yoke Andrews, to "ripen the affair," by fixwas lined, to use the words of Wodrow, ing on the persons to be called before
and more firmly fixed than before.   them, and drawing up a list of questions
In the meantime what has been term- for their examination.  In a short time
ed the Marrow Controversy had begun. the following ministers were summoned
The republication of this work by Mr. to attend the committee at Edinburgh,James Hog of Carnock, with a recom- the Rev. Messrs. Warden of Gargunnock,
mendatory preface from his,pen, had ex- Brisbane of Stirling, Hamilton of Airth,
cited great displeasure among the lead-. and Hog of Carnock. The answers of
ing men of the Church, who were near- these ministers were declared by the
ly all Neonomians.  Mr. Hog:found it Edinburgh committee to be satisfactory;
necessary to publish, early in 1719, " An and it was confidently anticipated that a
Explanation of the Passages excepted favourable report would be returned to
against in the Marrow of Modern Di- the Assembly,and that the threatened convinity."  Soon after this, Principal Had- troversy would speedily terminate in
dow of St. Andrews, in a sermon preach- peace. But this was by no means the
ed at the meeting of the synod of Fife intention of the St. Andrews sub-comin April, directly assailed the doctrinal mittee.  Led on by Principal Haddow,t
views contained in Marshall's Treatise that small conclave was busily engaged
on sanctification, and especially in the in picking outevery objectionable expresMarrow of Modern Divinity. This ser- sion that could be found in the Marmon having been published at the re- row and in the writings of its defenders;
quest of the synod, the discussion assumed separating these from the context, and so
the form of a regular controversy be- arranging them as to give them the aptween the two parties in the Church,-  pearance of a:connected series of heterothe Evangelical and constitutional party dox propositions, and framing the whole
who adhered firmly to the original and into a report calculated to impose upon
fundamental principles held by the Pres- the Assembly, which could not be expectbyterian Church in its purest times, and ed to enter into such a minute examinaespecially at the periods of the First and tion of the book as it was to be supposed
Second Reformations,-and the Neono- had been done by a committee appointed
mian and innovating Moderate party, who expressly for that purpose.
displayed an ominous readiness to accom-  [1720 ] When the general Assembly
modate the gospel to the inclinations of met in May 1720, instead of the favourfallen man, and to modify the principles able report of the Edinburgh committee,
of Church government and discipline so which had been expected, that of the St.
as to meet the views of politicians and Andrews sub-committee, drawn up by
men of the world. No express mention Principal Haddow, was laid before the
was made of the Marrow in the assem- house.   This report had been framed
bly of 1719; but in the instructions with such art as to convey the impression
given to the commission, they   were to all who were not thoroughly acquaintdirected to "inquire into the publishing ed with the Marrow of Modern Divinity
and spreading of books and pamphlets           Acts of Assembly, year 1719.
-tendingf to the diffusing of bthe condemned At There is reason to believe that Principal Haddow
tending to the diffusing of the condemned acted in this manner under the influence orf personal
proposition of Auchterarder, and promo- enmity against Mr Hog. arising out of some disagreement which had occurred between them when studentg
ting a system of opinions relative thereto in Holland. (Gospel Truth, p. 4813.)




A. -D. 1721.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   345
itself, that it was a book of the most per- really contained in the Marrow of Monicious tendency, calculated to lead its dern Divinity, the General Assembly
readers into the most dangerous errors. passed an act, on the 20th of May 1720,
In vain did its defenders attempt to pro- by which they " strictly prohibit and discure a fair and thorough investigation of charge all the ministers of this Church,
the work, for the purpose of showing either by preaching, writing, or printing,
that some injudicious and unguarded ex- to recommend the said book, or in dispressions were so modified by others, and course to say any thing in favour of it;
by the general spirit of the book, that, but, on the contrary, they are hereby entaken collectively, the doctrine of the joined and required to warn and exhort
book was orthodox and scriptural. This their people in whose hands the said
which is the only fair and candid mode bookis, or may come, not to read or use
of ascertaining what are really an the same."*    It would be improper here
author's sentiments, was refused, and the to enter into religious controversy; but
attention of the Assembly was rigidly this much may be said, that the five heads
confined to the expressions selected by condemned by the Assembly are nol
the accusers.  It is perfectly evident, taught by the Marrow of Modern Divithat by a careful selection of incautious nity, though incidental expressions, taken
phrases, employed incidentally by an apart from the context, may seem to have
author when his mind is mainly occupied some such tendency; and that there are
by another topic, he may be made to very few books to be found containing
seem the supporter of opinions which it equally clear and satisfactory views of
is his very object to repudiate and con- the gospel.
lemn. By such a sophistical process    This act of Assembly, together with
Lnther may be made the defender of Po- one respecting preaching catechetical
xery, and Calvin of universal redemption; doctrine, in which there are some very
by such a process Calvin, and Beza, and questionable expressions, excited great
Knox, and the Standards of the Church dissatisfaction and anxiety in the minds
of Scotland, have been made the defen- of all the sound and faithful ministers
ders of patronage and intrusion; and by throughout the country; and the subject
such a process the Bible itself has been was discussed at the meetings of presbymade to give support to heresy.  Thus teries and synods, in various quarters,
misled by the sophistical report of its com- particularly in the presbytery of Selkirk
mittee, the General Assembly was in- and the synod of Merse and Teviotdale.
duced to pass an act condemning the A correspondence was begun between
Marrow of Modern Divinity, on account Messrs. Boston of Etterick, Gabriel Wilof the false doctrine which it was said to son of Maxton, and Ebenezer Erskine
contain.                              of Portmoak, Wilson of Perth, and Hog
In the act condemning the Marrow, of Carnock, and others, respecting the
the passages said to contain false doc- steps which ought to be taken for the vintrine are arranged under five heads:- dication of the truth in this day of trou1st, Concerning the nature of faith, the ble and rebuke.  It was at length agreed
charge being that assurance is made to that a representation and petition should
be of the essence of faith; 2d, Univer- be given in to next Assembly, for the
sal atonement and pardon:; 3d, Holiness purpose of endeavouring to procure the
not necessary to salvation; 4th, Fear of repeal of the act condemning the Marpunishment and hope of reward not al- row. After several interviews had taken
lowed to be motives of a believer's obe- place, the matter was matured, and the
dience; 5th, That the believer is not un- representation prepared and signed, preder the law as a rule of life. To these paratory to its being laid before the Asare added, "Six Antinomian paradoxes," sembly.t
which are said to be "sensed," or ex-  [1721.] Considerable anxiety was felt
plained and "defended by applying to throughout the Church respecting the
them that distinction of the law of works possible issue of the controversy, in the
and the law of Christ."  Assuming, on aspect which it had now assumed. Many
the authority of the sub-committee's re- Acts of Assembly, year 1720, act v.  t Boston*
port, that these heret cal tenets were Memoirs, pp. 295i301.
44




346             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. IX
who disapproved of the sentence of con- Assembly, instead of being virtually the
demnation into which the Assembly had censurers of that court, as they were by
been betrayed by Principal Haddow, their representation, which was equivawere yet afraid that the representation lent to a complaint against its sentence
would not lead the Assembly to repeal condemning the Marrow. The Reprean act once passed, and might end in the senters regarded this as so unusual and
expulsion of the eminent divines by unfair a course of procedure, that they
whom that document was signed. Great were not bound to comply with it; neverendeavours were accordingly made to theless, for the sake of truth, and for the
induce them to withhold the representa- vindication of their own characters, they
tion; but having arrived at the convic- judged it expedient to take these queries
tion that it was an act of imperative duty, into consideration, and to prepare anthey could not be dissuaded. The re- swers to be laid before the Commission
presentation was at length formally laid at their meeting in March. One effect,
before the committee of bills, and a day not contemplated by the assailants of the
was appointed on which the subject was Marrow, resulted from  this course of
to be discussed in the Assembly.* What procedure: the answers returned by the
the result might have been, had the dis- Representers were very carefully precussion taken place while the minds of pared, and being written by men of dethe members were in a state of irritation, cided talents, learning, and piety, they
it is impossible to say; but as the cor- formed an admirable exposition of a difmissioner was labouring under serious ficult point in theology, and contributed
indisposition, it was thought proper to greatly to stem the tide of defection at
shorten the sitting of the Assembly, in- that time so rapidly overflowing the
trusting to the Commission such business country.*
as it could not overtake.  This was a   [1722.] The answers to the queries of
propitious circumstance, as it gave both the Commission were produced at the
time and occasion to further investigation, meeting of that court in March 1722;
besides preventing the hazard of a deci- and the committee for purity of doctrine
sion by the Assembly in a state of rash immediately engaged in writing a comand intemperate warmth.               ment upon these queries, and framing an
The most important matter intrusted overture on the subject, preparatory to
to the Commission was that which rela- the meeting of Assembly. When the
ted to the Representers, as the twelve Assembly met, it soon appeared that the
ministers who had signed the represen- opponents of the Marrow had lost, and
tation were called. Several conferences its defenders gained, by the delay which
took place between the Representers and had taken place. The attention of the
the Commission immediately after the Church had been directed to that work in
rising of the Assembly; but the subject the interval; and many ministers had
was postponed to a subsequent meeting come to the conclusion, that the Assemof Commission in August. At this meet- bly's sentence was not warranted by any
ing the Commission could not agree thing which it contained, if fairly and
upon their own course of procedure, candidly interpreted as a whole.   The
some being disposed to act with severity, severe censure which the leading men
others recommending a milder method. in the Church had intended to inflict
In November, the Representers were re- upon the Representers was not likely to
quired to furnish written answers to a pass without strenuous opposition; and
series of twelve queries which had been there appeared a strong probability that
prepared.  They perceived clearly the many might join the twelve brethren in
intention of this proposal, which was to wishing the repeal of that act against
bring them  as delinquents before the which the representation was directed.'The representation was signed by the following After a period of protracted and anxious
welVe ministers:-the Rev. Messrs. James Hog of Car- discussion, an act was framed, confirmnock, Thomas Boston of Etterick. John Bonar of Tor-.            e i       t
phichen, John Williamson of Inveresk, James Kid of ing, but at the same time explaniing, the
Queensferry, Gabriel Wilson of Maxton, Ebenezer former act; giving a cautious but not
Erskine of Portmoak, Ralph Erskine of Dunfermline,
James Wardlaw of Dunfermline, Henry Davidson of
Galashiels, James Bathgate of Orwell, William Hunter  Appendix to modern reprints of the Marrow, o
of Lilliesleaf.                       Gospel Truth, pp. 176.238.




A. D. 1725.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    347
very orthodox statement of the doctrines proposition; and did their utmost to harheld by the Church on the points under rass and annoy the twelve Representers.
discussion; prohibiting the ministers of They assailed Gabriel Wilson with great
the Church from teaching the positions bitterness on account of a sermon preachcondemned, or any equivalent to them; ed before the synod, prosecuting him
and appointing the moderator to rebuke from court to court, till he was rescued
and admonish the twelve brethren who by the favourable decision of the Assemsigned the representation.*  They were bly itself; and they prevented Boston
rebuked and admonished accordingly, from being removed to a more salubrious
" receiving it with all gravity, and as an situation, although aware that the air of
ornament in the cause of truth;" and irn- Etterick, too keen for his delicate constimediatelylaying upon the table a protest tution, was hastening him to the grave.*
against both the former act and the pre- By such a course of conduct was the
sent sentence, asserting their liberty still first period of rising Moderatism distinto profess, teach, and bear testimony to guished; screening teachers of direct
the truths condemned.t   This protest error, as in the case of Simson; connivwas allowed to lie on the table, but not ing at evasive perversions of the truth,
read; and as the Assembly did not at- in the introduction of Neonomian views;
tempt to found any proceedings against submitting to violations of the constituthe brethren on account of it, while on tional rights and privileges of the Natheir part they viewed it as sufficient to tional Church, as in the Patronage Act;
exonerate their conscience, the whole and persecuting with relentless malignity
matter was allowed to rest, and the im- their brethren  the Representers, and
minent danger of a schism  averted for other faithful and zealous defenders of
the time.  The sudden change in the the doctrines of grace.
conduct of the leading men in the As-   [1723-4.] The records of the Church
sembly from   overbearing  severity to during the year 1723 and 1724 present
comparative leniency, was caused partly little of peculiar importance. In the forby the perception that a much larger mer of these the prosecution of Mr. Gaproportion of the Church disapproved of briel Wilson of Maxton was terminated
their proceedings than they had expect- by an act of Assembly, acquitting him of
ed; but chiefly because, both in his ma- the charges urged against him by the injesty's public letter, and by the commis- ferior courts. In the latter nothing rnesioner in a private conference, they were morable occurred.
warned to abstain from   every thing    [1725.] In the year 1725, a case arose
which  might cause division in the which     deserves specific mention. A
Church.:                             vacancy having taken place in one of the
Thus terminated so far as the discus- churches of Aberdeen, the magistrates
sion in church courts was concerned, the and town-council, who, as heritors, had a
Marrow Controversy; but its consequen- right along with the session to propose a
ces did not soon pass away. Irritated by person to the congregation for their aptheir comparative failure in the General probation and call, thought proper to
Assembly, the Neonomian party directed'avail themselves of the Patronage Act,
their attention to the subordinate judica- and claimed the power of appointing abtories, and did their utmost to prevent or solutely, without regard to the wish of
impede the settlement in parishes of the congregation.   The synod disapyoung men who were suspected to have proved of this procedure, and the magisimbibed the Marrow doctrines.{  They trates appealed to the Assembly.  The
even framed new questions relating to Assembly directed a new call to be mothese doctrines, to be put to probationers, derated, and "appointed the inclinations
in direct contravention of an act passed of the heads of families that attended orby themselves against the Auchterarder dinances to be consulted."t  When the
new call took place, one hundred and
* Acts of Assembly, year 1722.  T Boston's Me- thirty-nine heads of families voted for the
moirs, p. 306.
Acts of Assembly; Wodrow, MS. Letters.  person proposed by the town-council, a
~ See the cases of Mr Hepburn's call to Edinbugh,
and Mr Francis Craig's to Kinross, related by Dr * Bostons Memoirs.  t Unprinted Acts o
M'Crie,-Christian Instructor for Febuary 1832.  Assembly.




348             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX
Mr. Chalmers, minister of Dyke, and bly of 1728, and sentence of suspension
three huntdred and seven against him. from teaching and preaching was passed,
The Commission of Assembly, to whom  till the investigation should be completed,
the new call was reported, sustained it, and a final decision given. In the same
several members expressing their dissent. year, 1728, the Commission of Assembly
[1726.] The conduct of the Commis- sustained a call by the heritors, elders,
sion in thus sustaining the call of Mr. parishioners of the parish of Alves, to
Chalmers, notwithstanding the dissent of Mr. Gordon, minister at Boharm, against
a majority of the people, was brought be- a presentation by the patron, the Earl of
fore the Assembly of 1726. TheAssem- Moray, to another person; indicating
bly, by a vote, " disapproved of the Comn- clearly the opinion of the church courts
mission's proceedings in the settlement at that time, that a call by the people was
of Mr. Chalmers at Aberdeen, upon these of more importance than a presentation
grounds, that they acted disagreeably to by a patron.
the instructions of the last Assembly, par-  [1729.] The Assembly of 1729 gave
ticularly in not making due inquiry, and final decision in the case of Professor
not having due regard unto the inclina- Simson.  He had made, upon the whole,
tions of the people;" but, by another vote, a skillful defence, though one which
they refused to rescind the Commission's proved that his own mind was deeply
sentence settling Mr. Chalmers, consider- tainted with sophistical insincerity; partly
ing it not desirable to tamper with the attempting to explain away his erroneous
Commission's powers, by recalling their tenets by the aid of metaphysical subtledecision in matters which they had been ties, partly by strenuous assertions that
empowered to determine.*  This is the he really held the very doctrines of the
first instance on record of a minister Confession of Faith.  Great reluctance
settled against the dissent of the people, was manifested by the Assembly to pass
subsequent to the Revolution; and even a sentence due to his demerits; and the
the proceeding was condemned by a vote utmost that could be obtained was a conof the General Assembly, and permitted firmation of the previous sentence of susto remain unrescinded only in conse- pension, with an additional declaration,
quence of a point of form in judicial pro- that it was not fit that he should be furcedure. And it may be regarded as a ther employed in teaching divinity and
somewhat curious coincidence, that Aber- instructing youth designed for the minisdeen should again, as in former times, be try. Against this sentence, as totally
the spot whence wrong and outrage to inadequate to mark a due condemnation
the Church and people of Scotland should of such deadly heresy as he had taught,
begin.                                Boston rose and declared his dissent, in
In the same year a new edition of the his own name and that of all who should
Marrow of Modern Divinity was pub- adhere to him; and no other person exlished, to which Boston contributed a pressing adherence, he continued, "and
number of copious and highly valuable for myself alone, if nobody shall adhere."t
explanatory notes.                    A deep and solemn awe filled the Assem[1727 —28.] A  new  accusation was bly, to see this great and good man
brought against Professor Simson, in the placing himself sublimely in uncomyear 1727, charging him with holdinga panioned opposition to the weak and
and teaching Arian opinions. The cul- guilty  unfaithfulness of a declining
pable lenity of the former sentence of As- Church, and not a voice was raised in
sembly seems to have encouraged the condemnation of his majestic Christian
unhappy man to persevere in his course, fortitude. The heretical professor yielded
of error, sinking deeper and deeper as he to the letter of the sentence; did not even
advanced.  The subject had been par- attempt to defend his errors from  the
tially under the notice of the preceding press, as had been apprehended; and, so
Assembly; but it was now formally taken far as he was personally concerned, the
up, a committee appointed to make due matter gradually sunk into oblivion.
inquiries, and to ripen the affair for deci-  But the secular leaven introduced into
sion. It was brought before the Assem- 
Commission Record, p. 200.  *Boston's Memoirs,
* Unprinted Acts of Assembly.  p. 354.




A. D. 1732.]    HISTOlY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    349
the Church by patronage was now be- proved; and this part of the transactions
ginning to work more potently, and to of the Commission was excepted in the
show its true nature and tendency. Du- Assembly's attestation of the record of
ring the course of this year Principal that court. But in March 1730, the
Chalmers of King's College, Aberdeen, Commission again directed the presbytery
received a presentation to the parish of to proceed to the settlement, several memOld Machar, from the college as patron. bers dissenting from this resolution, beA partial call appears also to have been cause the settlement of Mr. Waugh
procured, subsequent to the presentation. "being contrary to the mind of the conIn the meantime a call was given by the gregation, was contrary to the laws of
parishioners to a Mr. Howie, and the the Church."  When the subject came
presbytery sustained the call in his favour. before the Assembly of 1730 for final
The synod, however, reversed their sen- decision, they "refused to reverse the
tence, sustained the call to the principal, foresaid sentence [that of 1728], in respect
who had the presentation, and actually the Commission had been empowered to
inducted him. The matter was brought determine finally in that affair;" resting
by appeal to the Assembly, who rescinded the decision not:upon the propriety of the
and made void the settlement, declared Commission's sentence, but upon the fact
the parish vacant, and appointed the of their having been empowered to pass
moderation of a new. call. But Aber- it, thus virtually condemning the deed
deen tactics prevailed; and though the even in its ratification.*  But this was
sentence of the Assembly was a clear af- almost the last decision of this half-faithful
firmation of the principle that the oppo- kind, made by the. Assembly, which,
sition of the people was, in the estimation from this time forward, followed generally
of the Church, more powerful to prevent the example of artful tyranny set by the
than a presentation could be to secure a Commission, appointing deputations of
settlement, yet the wily principal con- unscrupulous members to visit and overtrived to procure a majority on the mod- rule the objections of conscientious preseration of the new call: and, obtaining byteries, and to execute. the harsh seneasily from his college a new presenta-tences of superior courts, trampling
tion. was settled in the charge.*  The scornfully under foot the feelings of the
second instance of a settlement by means aggrieved and outraged people.
of a " riding committee," took place this  It was now but too evident that the
year in the case of New Machar, and worldly spirit introduced into the Church
soon afterwards became prevalent, in by the admission of the prelatic incumorder to avoid the hazard of direct col- bents and by the Patronage act, had
lision with the conscientious unwilling- done its deadly work. A considerable
ness of presbyteries to take part in tran- number of men of decided talents, but
sactions of a character so unconstitutional, utterly destitute of true Presbyterian prinunscriptural, and violent.           ciples, and guided solely by regard to
[1730.] A case of a somewhat similar secular policy, had sprung up and been
kind was determined by the Assembly of elevated to the most influential positions
1730. This was the case of the parish in the Church. And while the hostility
of Hutton, in the presbytery of Chirn- of the people against the exercise of
side. The matter came first before the patronage, which had been comparatively
Assembly of 1728, and was referred to slight as long as the church courts abthe Commission, who were empowered to stained from giving direct countenance to
"determine in the affair as they should it, was now becoming daily more decided,
find just."  The Commission appointed these  leading  men  were  preparing
the presbytery to proceed to the settle- schemes for giving to that unconstitument of Mr. Waugh, although he was tional mode of appointing ministers an
opposed by a majority in the proportion absolute and uncontrollable power. An
of twelve to one of the congregation. apparently insignificant act passed by this
The revising committee ofnextAssembly Assembly contained the germ  of the
recommended that the directions given policy by which the first dynasty of
by the Commission should not be ap- Moderatism  was to be regulated. By
- Acts of Assembly, years 1729, 1730.-'Acts of Assembly, 1730.




350             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. IX.
this act the General Assembly appointed, the mind of the congregation; and it is
" that the reasons of dissent against the as evident that this was directly opposed
determinations of church judicatures, in to the principles and practice of the Prescauses brought before them, should not byterian Church, from the period of the
be entered in the register, but be kept Reformation.*
in retentis, to be laid before the superior  The case of Kinross came also before
judicatures."*  This act contains evi- this Assembly, and was referred to the
dently the essence of ecclesiastical des- Commission. This was one of the cases,
potism, and is contrary to the very spirit formerly alluded to, which arose out of
of a church court, which being essen- the Marrow Controversy, the settlement
tially a court of conscience, and its power of Mr. Francis Craig being opposed on
being ministerial, not lordly, it never can account of his refusing to condemn the
with propriety refuse to its members the doctrines contained in that work.  But
right of exonerating their own conscience now that patronage was beginning to asfrom  the moral responsibility of any sume a more arbitrary power, and the
measure of which, regarding it as sinful, want of a call or the opposition of the
they cannot and dare not approve. And people might be disregarded, the patron
instead of tending to promote schism, this found a youth of sentiments similar to his
liberty of recording dissent actually and own, a Mr. Stark, and proceeded to force
strongly tends to prevent it, by leaving him upon the parish, in spite of the conthe minds of such members at peace, tinued resistance of the people and resatisfied with having expressed their dis- luctance of the presbytery.  The Comn
approbation, and the reasons on which it mission, nothing loath to undertake the
is grounded, which may serve, in some ungracious task, ordered the presbytery
happier time, to bring back the Church to admit Mr. Stark without delay; and
to the path of rectitude, from which, in when the presbytery refused, and aptheir opinion, she appears to be swerving. pealed to the next Assembly, the settle[1731.]  The proceedings of the As- ment was made through the ready insembly of 1731 did not tend to allay the strumentality of a " riding committee."]
feelings of dissatisfaction excited by the  [1732.] Thecrisiscame onapace. The
last act of its predecessor.  Actuated by tyrannical conduct of the leading men of
the same spirit, the Assembly refused to the Church, who directed the proceedings
permit a remonstrance against violent set- of both Assembly and Commission, had extlements to be read; and prosecuting cited a wide-spread and strong feeling of
their headlong career, they passed an discontent; and when the Assemblymet, a
"( act and overture concerning the method representation and petition, signed by forty
of planting vacant churches."  The ob- ministers, was laid on the table, imploring
ject of this overture was to secure a uni- that venerable court to redress the grievform method of supplying vacant charges, ances and check the innovations which
without those delays and that irritation were threatening the speedy ruin of the
which too often occurred.  The method Church.    This important paper was not
proposed in this overture bore consider- even allowed to be read; and, as if to
able resemblance to that of the act add insultto injury, the complaint against
1690, but was still less favourable to the the settlement of Kinross was dismissed,
privileges of the people.  The chief dif- and the Presbytery of Dunfermline were
ference consisted in this, that by the act ordered to receive, and enrol Mr. Stark
1690, the heritors and elders were "to as one of their members, and to do every
name and propose the person to the whole thing towards giving him countenance in
congregation, to be either approven or the ministry.  Several of the members
disapproven by them;" by the overture, protested against such arbitrary procethe heritors and elders were "to elect dure, but were not permitted to record
and call one to be the minister" of the their dissent.  The overture transmitted
parish.  It is evident that this suggested to the presbyteries last year was enacted
method amounted to a virtual annihilation of the call, so far as that had always' See this subject ably discussed in Willison's Testiio n ofthecallsofar  as thathadalwaysmony, pp. 70-76.
previously been regarded as conveying   t Another case occurred this year of the simple acceptance of a presentation without a call, and the' Acts of Assembly.        presentee was suspended. (Patronage Report, p 364.)




A. D. 1733.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    35i
into a standing law of the Church, in nation of the judicatures of the Church,
direct violation of the Barrier Act, it not and good order therein."  By this act
having received the sanction of a majority the faithful ministers of that presbytery
of the presbyteries.  In reality it had were sharply rebuked, and commanded
been condemned; eighteen presbyteries ap- to support and encourage Mr. Stark, and
proved of it, eighteen returned no opinion, strictly forbidden to admit any of the
twelve required material alteratiohs, and parishioners of Kinross to sealing ordithirty-one were absolutely against it.* nances, without the consent of their inYet the leading men of the Assembly truded minister, on pain of the highest
contrived to procure its enactment, though censure.  In the same haughty spirit
they could not but be aware of its uncon- they proceeded to consider the contest bestitutional character,-so eager were they tween Erskine and the synod. They
to clutch the reins and wield the rod of speedily approved the proceedings of the
power.                                synod, and appointed Mr. E. Erskine to
It was now all but impossible to pic- be rebuked and admonished by the modevent an immediate schism. The domi- rator at the bar of the Assembly.nant party might yet have abated in their Against this sentence Mr. Erskine proreckless career of tyranny and oppres- tested; and to this protest were added the
sion, and the aggrieved ministers and names of William  Wilson, minister at
people might have laid aside their resent- Perth, Alexander Moncrieff; minister at
ment, and, while they defended purity, Abernethy, and James Fisher, minister
still have been ready to accept of peace. at Kinclaven.  This protest was reBut pacific measures appear not to have corded, and the case of the four brethren
been contemplated by either. Indignant remitted to the Commission, with full
at the treatment he had received, espe- power first to suspend them, and then to
cially in being prevented from recording proceed to higher censure, unless they
his dissent from the injurious conduct of should submit, express their sorrow for
the Assembly, the Rev. Ebenezer Ers- their conduct and misbehaviour, and rekine, from his own pulpit in Stirling, de- tract their protest.*
nounced in strong terms the oppressive  The dissevering deed mightberegarded
and sinful procedure of the church courts. as already done, when intrusted to the
This was but adding fuel to the flame, Commission.  When the Commission
and his next step fanned it into a blaze. met in August, they received from many
At the meeting of the synod of Fife in quarters strong remonstrances against the
October, he preached a sermon, in which imperious course so keenly pursued by
he boldly and keenly censured the grow- the leaders of the Church, and urgent
ing corruption and degeneracy of the entreaties to try the effect of milder mea-.Church. The synod were deeply of- sures.     In vain: the course of Moderate
fended, condemned his conduct, and or- policy has ever been immitigable, when
dered him to submit to a sharp rebuke. civil power was on its side. The four
This he refused to do, protested against brethren gave in a written representation,
their sentence, and appealed to the next defending their conduct; but the sentence
General Assembly.t                    of suspension was pronounced, and they
[1733.]  There seemed to be yet time were summoned to appear again before
and opportunity to prevent the threatened the Commission in November. By this
deplorable division in the Church, had time the whole kingdom was in a state of
the Moderate leaders been willing to the most intense excitement, and many' change their hand and check   their members of Commission began to shrink,,ride."  But they appear tohave thought and hesitate, and recoil from the deed
hat one act more of "firmness" would which they had been empowered to do.
secure them  a complete and lasting Not so the Moderate leaders: with them
riumph. They passed an act of suffi- the thought seems to have been,-" one
ciently ominous title, " concerning some bold stroke more, and the victory is our
of the ministers of the presbytery of Dun- own."  The sentence of suspension had
fermline, and for preserving the subordi- not been obeyed, and the Commission was
is Display,vol p. 26       empowered to proceed to a higher cenGibo's Display,vol.i. p. 26.  t True State of them
Process.' Acts of Assembly.




352              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.,CHAP. IX
sure.  This course was opposed; the abstaining for a time fromany acts-ofjuquestion was put, " delay" or "proceed " risdiction on their own authority,*
the votes were equal; the moderator      It is unnecessary to trace minutely the
Mr. John Gowdie, one of the ministers subsequent steps of this deplorable secesof Edinburgh, rose; a death-like still- sion. That it was caused by the corrupt
ness reigned; the cause of mercy and and tyrannical procedure of the church
truth, and the peace of the Church and courts, we do not affect to deny; that this
community, or the paltry triumph of a corruption and tyranny flowed directly
secularizing  policy  and its partizans, from the admission of the prelatic incum
seemed wavering on the balanced point bents at and after the revolution, from the
of that passing moment: he gave his lax and heterodox tenets which they and
casting vote, "proceed," and the fatal deed others like to them introduced, and fron
was done, which Scotland to this hour the pernicious influence of patronage
deplores, and by which the welfare of we do not hesitate most strongly to assert.
the National Church, and the cause of and we think it would require a very pe
Christianity itself in the land, sustained a culiar combination of sophistry and bargrievous and almost irreparable injury, dihood in any man who should venture
now too clearly manifest in our present to attempt a historical refutation of the
sufferings and impending dangers.      assertion.  Let it never be forgotten, that
The sentence actually pronounced was these pious and eminent ministers seceded,
a modified form   of deposition, being not from  the Church of Scotland, but
merely that they should be loosed from  from that " prevailing party," the Modetheir respective charges, and declared no rates of the day, by whom heresy was
longer ministers of this Church, all min- screened, sound doctrine condemned, disisters being prohibited from  employing cipline neglected, the rights of Christian
them in any ministerial function. Against congregations violated, and their feelings
this sentence several ministers protested; outraged, and the scriptural government
and the four brethren gave in a protesta- of the Church changed into a system of
tion of their own, which was subse- cruel and oppressive secular tyranny.
quently expanded into a full statement of  [1734.] The heartless and destructive
the reasons of their " secession from the wrong perpetrated by the Commission in
prevailing party in the Church."*- The. their treatment of Ebenezer Erskine and
public sympathized in general with men his friends, had roused the feeling of the
whom they regarded as persecuted for religious part of the community to the
the cause of truth, and in defence of the highest pitch  of regretful solicitude;
constitutional rights and privileges of the and great exertions were made that the
Church and people of Scotland.  Even next Assembly might contain a sufficient
yet there might have been a healing mea- number of right-minded men, to. get, if
sure, and some attempts were made by still possible, the fatal breach repaired.
the better part of the Commission to pre- Even the Moderates were willing partialvent any decisive steps from being taken ly to retrace their steps, not having anby which all hope should be precluded. ticipated that their guilty deed would call
But the sense of wrong appears to have forth so strong an expression of national
stimulated in the minds of the four indignation.    No sooner did the Assemorethren a degree of jealousy and impa- bly meet than the work of attempted contience, which caused them to regard with ciliation began.  The act of 1730, prodistrust every overture of a peaceful hibiting protests, and the act of 1732, for
character, and to assume an attitude of planting vacant churches, which had
more resolute antagonism.  On the. 6th been the immediate causes of dispute,
day of December 1733, they constituted were both rescinded; and an act was
themselves into an Associated Presbytery, passed declaring that ministerial freedom
retaining possession of their charges, but was not to be held as in any degree imIt was in their protest against this sentence of the paired by the late decisions.  Another
Ccmmission that the four brethren used the memorable act was passed, empowering the synod of
words, " We hereby appeal unto the first free, faithful,to  consideration the case
and'reforming General Assembly of the Church of Perth to take into consideration the case
and'reforming General Assembly of the church of
Scotland." See their" Testimony," page 28, first edi- of the seceding brethren, with a view to
ion, 1734; Gib's Display, vol. i. p. 35;Re-Exhibition, 
&c., p. 29.' Gib's Display, vol. i p. 36.




A, D. 1736.1     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    353
their restoration to their charges, without men of high eminence, such as Professor
reference to former proceedings; which Hutcheson, Currie of Kfnglassie, and
was accordingly done by the synod in others, besides the address of the AssemJuly.*  There seemed now no real ob- bly to his majesty, which was written by
stacle to the return of the seceding breth- Lord President Dundas.*
ren into the communion of the Church.   The Commission was prohibited from
But they had taken their ground, and felt appointing "' Riding Committees," for the
so far bound in honour to maintain it; purpose of executing such sentences as
they had published a testimony to the presbyteries and synods declined to exedoctrine, discipline, and government of cute. And as great complaints had been
the Church of Scotland, avowing their made against the style of preaching which
unaltered adherence to these, and stating had become prevalent among young minthe reasons of their secession, not from  isters, who introduced into their sermons
the constitution of the Church, but from" little that might not have been found in
the prevailing party in her judicatories. Seneca and Plato," an overture was transAnd scrutinizing narrowly the recent mitted to presbyteries for their approbaconciliatory acts, they conceived that they tion, giving directions respecting a more
still saw reason to continue separate, till full and faithful exhibition of the peculiar
the Church should not merely rescind the doctrines of the gospel.t
unconstitutional acts of which they com-  [1936.] The seceding brethren continplained, but make an explicit acknowledg- ued to stand aloof, watching jealously the
ment of her sinful conduct in having proceedings of the Church, and appaever passed them.                     rently more disposed to censure omissions
As the seceding ministers had appealed than to applaud the honest endeavours of
to the first reforming Assembly, this As- the struggling Evangelical party.  That
sembly took one step more for proving its faithful body continued to strive for furright to such an honorable designation. ther reformation, but with weakened enA deputation was sent to London from  ergy and diminished prospects of success.
the Commission, to solicit a repeal of the The address for the repeal of the Patronact reimposing patronages; but this depu- age Act was engrossed in the records of
tation was unsuccessful. The uncomply- the Assembly of 1736, at least to testify
ing attitude maintained by the seceding the views and wishes of the Church.
ministers discouraged the Evangelical The act concerning preaching was passed,
party, and cast an early blight over their having received the approbation of the
fondly cherished hopes of a reunion with presbyteries. It is equally admirable in
men whom they highly esteemed; and spirit and in substance; and deserves the
this disappointment tended considerably serious regard of all ministers in the
to paralyze their own reforming exer- Church still, as a clear and pregnant ditions.                                rectory for sound and evangelical preach[1635.] Still a reforming spirit seemed ing.  The questionable doctrines of Proto prevail in the Church, the Moderates fessor Campbell of St. Andrews were
abating their high-handed rule, and the brought under discussion; but he sucEvangelical party endeavouring to restore ceeded in giving to them such an evasive
to the light the buried principles of ear- explanation as to save him from direct
lier and better days. A deputation was censure, though he was cautioned to avoid
again appointed to proceed to London, expressions which might lead the hearers
and renew the application of the church into error. The last act of this Assembly
for the repeal of the Patronage Act. deserves peculiar mention. It is entitled,
This was so far attended to, that leave "An Act against Intrusion of Ministers
was given to bring in a bill for this pur- into Vacant Congregations," and contains
pose; the bill was actually drawn up by these words:-" The General Assembly
the celebrated Duncan Forbes of Cullo- considering that it is, and has been since
den, but meeting little support, it was the Reformation, the principle of this
abandoned. Several acute and able pam- Church, that no minister shall be intruded
phlets were written on the subject, by into any church contrary to the will of
* Acts of Assembly, year 1734; Willison's Testimony,  Pamphlets of the period; Randall's Tracts.
pp. 81-83.             t Acts of Assembly.       t Acts of Assembly.
45




354             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX,
the congregation, do therefore seriously to offer peace. An act was passed by the
recommend to all judicatories of this Assembly, in which, after stating what
Church, to have a due regard to this prin- was viewed as improper in the conduct
ciple in planting vacant congregations, of the seceding ministers, it was added,so as none be intruded into such parishes, " Yet this Assembly choosing rather still
as they regard the glory of God and edi- to treat them in the spirit of meekness,
fication of the body of Christ."*  There brotherly love, and forbearance, did, and
seems no reason to doubt that the majori- hereby do, enjoin all the ministers of this
ty of the Assembly was perfectly sincere Church, as they shall have access, and esin passing this act, when it is viewed in pecially the ministers of the synods and
connection with the proceedings of the presbyteries within which these seceding
two former Assemblies; but there is as lit- brethren reside, to be at all pains, by
tie reason to suppose that it had the ap- conferences, and other gentle means of
probation of the Moderate party, who, persuasion, to reclaim and reduce them
even in that reforming Assembly, were to their duty and the communion of this
sufficiently strong to neutralize and per- Church."*  But all was in vain; to no
vert the operation of principles which proposals of "conferences and gentle
they could not openly oppose. Some means" would they listen; but began to
proceedings of the Assembly, the Com- take steps for training young men for
mission, and the subordinate judicatories, the ministry, granting license to proba.
supporting intrusive settlements about this tioners, and completing their organization
time, gave to the seceding ministers the as a distinct and separate Church.
opportunity of declaring their distrust of  [1739.] All endeavours to prevail upon
the sincerity of the Assembly, and their the seceding ministers to abandon their
resolution still to continue in a state of antagonist position proving ineffectual,
separation.                           the Assembly of 1739 called them before
[1737.] The year 1737 is not remarka- the court, to answer to a libel which the
ble for any event of importance in church Commission had been empowered to
matters, the foolish irritation of the gov- frame, should all lenient measures fail.
ernment, on account of the Porteous mob, They came, but came in the temper of
led them to emit an order, that a procla- determined combatants. Aware of what
mation against the leaders of that strange was in progress respecting them, they
riot should be read from all the pulpits, had prepared a declinature of the Assem" on pain of being declared incapable of bly's jurisdiction; and, previous to their
sitting in any church judicatory."  This appearing in the Assembly, they constiwas resisted by a large proportion of the tuted themselves into a presbytery, and
Church; and it deserves to be mentioned entering as a court, gave in this document
to their credit, that some of the Moderate by their moderator. Its very title was
ministers took a decided part in resisting conclusive: "Act of the Associate Presthis unconstitutioual procedure of the civil bytery, finding and declaring that the
power. The seceding brethren receiv- present judicatories of this Church are
ed this year the accession of four others, not lawful nor right constitute courts of
the Rev. Messrs. Ralph Erskine, Dun- Christ; and declining all authority, powfermline; Thomas Mair, Orwell; Thorn- er, and jurisdiction that the said judicatoas Nairn, Abbotshall; and James Thom- ries may claim to themselves over the
son, Burntisland; and, encouraged by said presbytery."I   Nothing now   rethis accession, they published their first mained but for the Assembly to pass the
Act and Testimony, by the appearance sentence of deposition; but even yet they
of which document the prospect of re- lingered, reluctant to cut of all hopes of
union was very considerably diminished.t seeing men, who were by many of them
[1738.] Deeply as the evangelical min- very highly esteemed, restored to the boisters of the Church deplored the conduct som of the Church.  At the urgent soof the seceding ministers in thus increas- licitations of Willison of Dundee, and
ing the obstacles to their re-admission into others, the Assembly consented to delay
their former communion, they continued' Acts of Assembly, year 1738.'Acts of Assembly, year 1736.  t Gib's Display * Act and Testimony, &c.; Willison's Testimony, pp,
Re-Exhibition, &c.                    97, 98.




A. D. 1741.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 355
passing the sentence of deposition for brief years during that anxious struggle,
another year, if even yet the Secession too soon recovered their ascendency, and
might be averted.                    maintained their dreary and fatal sway
1740. The seceding ministers made for almost a century. And it cannot be
no attempt to avail themselves of this doubted, that if the fathers of the Secespause, expressed no regret for what had sion could have foreseen what principles
taken place, and, instead of giving the would be adopted by their successors in
slightest indication of a wish for peaceful later times,-could have anticipated the
reunion, continued to pour forth sharp in- deadly warfare that would be waged
vectives against the faithlessness and cor- against the very existence of the Church
ruption of the Church. The Assembly of Scotland, which they revered and
passed the sentence of deposition on the loved,-they would not have taken a
15th day of May 1740, and the seceding single step on the path that has led to
brethren, now eight in number, ceased to such a strange and disastrous issue.
be minis ers of the Church of Scotland.*  Both the Church and those who seceIt is impossible to trace the progress ded from her communion sinned, when
and mark the conclusion of this melan- they permitted human pride and wrath
choly event without feelings of the deep- to fill their hearts and overcloud their
est regret. A  calm  and dispassionate better judgment; and the third and fourth
view may now be taken of the whole generations are suffering, and may yet
proceeding, which could not be done by more deeply suffer, from the baneful conthose who were personally engaged in sequences of their guilty conduct. Surely
them; and such a view may well lead a time will come, if it has not come alus to deplore the errors and the follies of ready, when those who hold the princiwise, good, and pious men.  There can ples for the assertion of which the Ersbe no doubt that the pernicious and sinful kines and their friends unwisely seceded
course of procedure, so perseveringly fol- from the Church, and in defence of which
lowed by the church courts, was the di- Boston and Willison, and such men, earrect occasion of the Secession; yet it is nestly contended within it, will unite in
as plain that it might have been averted, the one great cause, the reassertion of the
had not the pride of the contending par- Redeemer's sole Sovereignty and Headties impelled them to use toward each ship of his Church, which cannot but be
other language of sinful and irritating held inestimably precious equally by both,
asperity. And without any wish to stain -by all who know the import and have
the memory of the Erskines, whom we felt the power of that sacred and glorious
deeply revere as eminently evangelical truth. Yes, that time must come, whether
divines, it must be said that they indulged soon or late, and it may be sooner than
in applying terms of bitter reproach and many think; for the hour of trial, like
angry vituperation against the Church, the fierce heat of the furnace, may melt
which no treatment could have justified, and blend into closest union, materials
much less that forbearance which they which, in the frigid temperature of selexperienced, both in the actions and' in fishness, had long remained in hard and
the writings of their opponents. It may sullen separation, contiguous yet unalso now be seen, that they committed a combining.
great error in not returning into commu-  [1741.] The transactions of the Assemnion with the Church, when, by the bly which met in 1741 present nothing
strenuous exertions of their evangelical memorable.  The  elevation of Mr.
friends, the door of readmission was James Ramsay of Kelso to the moderaopened to them in 1734. Their return tor's chair, indicated very plainly that the
would have greatly strengthened and en- Moderate party had regained the power
couraged that faithful band to continue of which they had been deprived by the
their arduous task of reformation, and vigorous exertions of the Evangelical
might have averted the long reign of party in 1734. Another event proved
secular principles, cold legal and moral but too clearly that their temporary loss
preaching, and uncensured immorality, of power had not taught them to use it
which, shaken and dethroned for a few with greater gentleness. A complaint of
Acts of Assembly.       the parishioners of Bowden against the




356             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. IX
decision of the Commission, ordering the Moderate despotism.  The only remedy
presbytery to proceed to the settlement of which presented itself in such a deploraan unacceptable presentee, was disre- ble state of matters, was for every faithful
garded, on the ground that the Cor- minister to be doubly zealous in the dismission had not exceeded their powers; charge of his own pastoral duties, by
the presbytery were ordered to proceed which vital religion might be preserved
without delay, on pain of being censured in at least some portions of the land,
as contumacious; and, in case of their re- during this period of general defection.
fusal, the synod was empowered to take This was accordingly done, and the rethe necessary measures for having the suits very soon began to appear.
sentence of the Commission executed.*   [1742.] The year 1742 will be for
This, it will be observed, was in reality ever memorable, not only in the annals of
equivalent to a resumption of the scheme the Church of Scotland, but in the history
of effective intrusion settlements by means of Christianity, on account of the remarkof " riding committees," which had been able revivals of genuine religion which
prohibited by the Assembly of 1735; took place at that time in various parts of
and though the language of the prohibi- the country, particularly at Cambuslang
tion was allowed to remain for a little and Kilsyth. It was at Cambuslang that
longer in the instructions given to the this remarkable manifestation of spiritual
Commission, yet in a very short time the power first appeared.  The minister of
tyrannical practice was again in full the parish, the Rev. Mr. Macculoch, had
operation.                            been peculiarly earnest in preaching the
The sudden and complete reacquisition characteristic doctrines of the gospel, reof power by the Moderate party had arisen generation and justification by faith, durin a considerable degree from the corn- ing the greater part of the year 1741;
parative paralysis to active exertion in and a greater degree of quickened attenchurch courts, which seized upon their tion than usual began to appear in the
opponents when the seceding ministers congregation in the course of that winter,
not only refused to accede to the overtures and early in the year of 1742. At length,
of peace which were offered to them, but on the 18th of February, the people who
even repelled the advances of their former attended meetings for prayer, which had
friends with reproaches, invectives, and been previously established, manifested
expressions of distrust.  In their dejection such a degree of intense anxiety for their
they retired from the struggle, in which spiritual interests, and such deep convicto have secured complete success, would tions and supplicating earnestness to hear
have demanded their most strenuous and of the Saviour, that Mr. Macculloch was
united exertions for many years, especially constrained to preach to them  almost
as the moderate party enjoyed more of daily, and to request the assistance of his
the countenance of politicians than can friends in the ministry from other quarever be expected by men who act solely ters.  This naturally excited the attention
on Christian principles. But though they of the kingdom; and ministers of the most
in a great measure abandoned the contest undoubted piety, and the highest character
in church courts, they did not sink into for theological attainments and soundness
the lethargy of dejection in other matters. of judgment, hastened to the spot, to
They saw well that the course of Moder- satisfy their minds by personal investigaate policy was both introducing into the tion, and returned not only convinced
Church ministers who cared little for the of the reality of what they had seen, but
spiritual welfare of the people, provided filled with gratitude to God that they had
they could secure the emoluments of the enjoyed the privilege of beholding so
charge;f and at the same time expelling glorious a proof of the convincing and
men who were faithful and able ministers converting power of the Holy Spirit.
of the gospel, but could not submit to Among these may be mentioned Dr.' Acts of Assembly.       Webster of Edinburgh, Dr. Hamilton
T" What must they think of a man that tells a re- and Messrs. M'Laurin and Gillies of
claiming parish by word and deed, I'll be your minister G, W n of D   B  
in spite of your teeth; I'll have the charge of your souls,  lasgow, Wlllson of Dundee, Bonar of
whether ye will or not; and if ye refuse ordinances and Torphichen, and Dr. Erskine of Edinmeans of salvation from me, ye shall have none!"                   purui
(Willison's Testimony, p. 54.)        burgh, at that time a young man pursuing




A. D. 1742.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     357
his theological studies. The celebrated composed and coldly plausible moral esWhitefield, hearing of this remarkable says, would look upon the whole as the
event, hastened to Cambuslang, and delusion of heated enthusiasts and fanapreached repeatedly with his usual clo- tics; but it could scarcely have been exquence, and more than usual impressive- pected that such truly pious men and exness.                                 perienced ministers as were the fathers
In the beginning of May a similar of the Secession should not merely have
scene of religious awakening took place viewed these religious revivals with disat Kilsyth, under the ministry of the Rev. trust, but should have assailed them with
James Robe, a man of considerable abili- excessive bitterness.* They even proceedties, who had been for some time an active ed to the extreme absurdity of appointing
defender of the constitutional principles of a solemn fast to be held on account " of
the Church against the corrupt andsecular' the awful symptoms of the Lord's anger
innovations of the Moderate party.  The with this Church and land, in sending
anxiety manifestedby the people of Kilsyth them  strong delusion that they should
was not inferior to that of the people of believe a lie, particularly when a judicial
Cambuslang; and several adjacent par- testimony for the Reformation principles
ishes experienced a portion of the sacred of this Church was emitted, after all
influence so graciously vouchsafed by the other means had proved ineffectual."
Divine Visitant.  Mr. Robe appears to These good but narrow-minded and prehave acted with consummate prudence, judiced men seem to have come to the
exercising the most vigilant care over conclusion, that the Church of Scotland
those who came to him in deep distress was so thoroughly corrupt that it would be
of mind under conviction of sin, giving to derogatory to the character of the Holy
them the most judicious instruction in God to suppose that he could deign to
spiritual truth, and keeping a private re- visit her in mercy, and to revive his own
cord of all cases of religious awakening, work in a Church so fearfully polluted.
that he might deal with each according to Their deplorable conduct at this time
its own peculiarities, mark the progress ought to be a warning to every Christian
of the feelings and the knowledge of the Church, and to every body of professing
people, and be able to discriminate be- Christians, not to think of themselves
tween what was mere excitement, and more highly than they ought, lest they
what by its fruits proved itself to be true come to despise those whom God hath
conversion.  The subsequent publication not despised.
of his Narrative gave to the religious  Many serious Christians, in that eventcommunity the means of judging as to ful time, were led into speculations of a
the nature and extent of the remarkable different character,-as to what might be
work of the Holy Spirit in Scotland at the probable object to be effected by these
that perid; and it may be safely said, remarkable nanifestations of convincing
that the strength of prejudice must be and converting grace, —whether they
very great in any man who knows what might not be preparatory for some great
vital religion is, who can peruse that ju- advancement of religion throughout the
dicious production, without being con- world, such as sacred prophecy so emstrained to glorify God, who had so gra- phatically foretells. It is at all times
ciously visited his people.*          hazardous to attempt to explain the meanYet it is not easy to estimate the force ing of any peculiar dispensations of proof prejudice. It was to be expected that vidence or grace, in a prospective point
irreligious men would calumniate and of view, and not surprising that men
deride the proceedings at Cambuslang should err when they make the attempt.
and Kilsyth, and that the Moderate min- Nor is it easy to connect peculiar dispenisters, the greater part of whom regarded sations with subsequent events, so as to
Christianity as merely an improved sys- perceive what has been produced by
tem  of morality, and whose sermons them, even at the lapse of a century. Yet
were generally little more than carefully one or two remarks may be offered of a
* See Robe's Narrative; and the testimonies of many  * To their writings on this subject we do not choose
eminent ministers of the period; also Sir Henry Mon- to refer more specifically, wishing them rather o sink
crieffrs Life of Erskine, pp. 112-123; Gillies' Collec.  into oblivion.
tions; and Life of Whitefield.             t Dr. Erskine's Signs of the Times, &c.




358             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. IX.
historical character, not perhaps unwor- communicated to than the highest amount
thy of consideration. It will be remem- of instruction which circumstances woula
bered, that in different periods of the permit, it repeatedly happened in subseChurch of Scotland's history, God was quent times, that the people remained
pleased to send her a time of refreshing sound and faithful in the possession of
from His presence; and that these were true religious principles, long after a
invariably before a time of searching large proportion of the ministers had
trial, as if to give her a principle of sa- fallen into error. This was strikingly
cred life sufficiently strong to survive the the case during the time of the persecuperiod of suffering.  Such was the gene- tion, when so many of the ministers acral revival in 1596,.mmediately before cepted the indulgence, while the people
her protracted struggle with Prelacy un- maintained their integrity, although exder James.  Such were the revivals of posed to at least equal perils from the
Stewarton, Shotts, and other places, a vengeance of prelatic informers and the
short while before her second great con- licentious and cruel soldiery.  This was
test with Prelacy in the time of Charles the case after the Revolution, when the
I., and the wasting persecution of the tortuous expediencies of worldly policy
two following reigns.  And though no corrupted the church courts, and a false
direct persecution followed the revivals system  of theology became prevalent
of Cambuslang and Kilsyth, yet the long among the ministers, long before the
and dreary domination of Moderatism   people were tainted by such low secular
which immediately followed was more views, or imbibed such erroneous doctricalculated to destroy vital religion in the nal tenets. And it may be added that it
land than could have been the most re- was for this very purpose that the law of
lentless persecution; and it seems no patronage was brought forward by the
very strained conjecture, that these gra- Jacobites, who saw clearly that its operacious influences were vouchsafed to the tion would prevent the church courts and
Church at that period, to sustain her the people from acting together; and out
during her lengthened sojourn in a mo- of the alienation which it so soon and
ral and religious wilderness.  Certain it so fatally caused, arose in a great meais that the deep and earnest spirit and sure the baneful policy of the moderate
feeling of vital and personal religion party, who regarded with dislike the
passed not away like a temporary excite- warm interest taken by the people in rement.  Not only did many hundreds of ligious matters, and the decided preferthe converts of that period continue to ence which they showed to evangelical
exhibit the beauty of holiness throughout doctrine. It was perfectly manifest, that
the remainder of their lives, proving the if the popular mind were to be consulted
reality of the great change which they in any other way than as a mere matter
had experienced, but also the very know- of form, few except evangelical ministers
ledge that such events had taken place would ever obtain admission  to the
continued to operate, silent and unseen, Church; and, as has been already
but with mighty efficacy, in the hearts proved, having little knowledge of, and
of thousands, constraining them to be- no love for, evangelical doctrine, they
lieve that there was more in true spiritual had no other way of securing their own
Christianity than could be expressed in admission to the Church as a profession,
a cold moral harangue, and rendering than by exerting themselves to the utthem quick to mark and eager to re- most in weakening popular influence
ceive instruction of a more evangelical by the rigid enforcement of patronage.
and living character.                 Could they have contrived at once to
And here, also, it may be fittingly have reduced the people to such a state
stated, that although the First Reforma- of comparative ignorance of sound doction began, as it necessarily must have trine as to have felt little interest in one
done, by the conversion of Romish kind of preaching more than in another,
priests, who thus became reformed minis- there would have been no necessity for
ters, and then taught the people, yet, as such strenuous exertions for the represthe Scottish Reformers gave to the peo- sion of popular rights and popular feelpie schools as well as churches, and ing; but as this could not be accomplish



A. D. 1750.1     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    359
ed with the intelligent and religious peo- acter. Nor is there a single instance on
pie of Scotland, there was no resource record, till those of recent occurrence, in
but to reduce the popular consent to a which the ciyil courts presumed to intermere empty form, and to crush the popu- fere with the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
lar resistance by the strong arm  of of the Church, to the extent of offering
an unconstitutional law, surreptitiously an opinion whether ordination should be
thrust into the statute-book by infidels given or withheld, even when patrons
and traitors.  Taking all these things attempted to induce them to overstep their
into consideration, it will not be denied, legitimate boundaries. When the Church
that true Christianity as existing among ordained a person who was found not to
the orthodox ministers and people of have a legal claim to the fruits of the
Scotland, was indeed entering into a long benefice, according to the law of patronand dreary period of trial, and greatly age, the civil court decided that he could
needed an   extraordinary infusion of not receive it, but refused to order the
spiritual life, that it might not become ut- Church to annul the pastoral tie of orditerly extinct before the dawning of a nation, or to ordain the person to whom
brighter and a happier day.          the legal presentation had been given.
[1743-49.] It does not appear neces- Of this, the case of Lanark is a remarksary to occupy space in detailing the pro- able instance, in which Dr. Dick receedings of the Assemblies year by year mained minister of the parish, dischargfrom this time forward, occupied, as they ing all the pastoral duties for upwards
chiefly were, with discussions arising out of four years, while the patron was found
of disputed settlements, and terminating to be entitled to retain the stipend.*
generally in the same manner, the oppo-  [1750.] In the year 1750, a subject
sition of the people being disregarded, came before the Assembly which seems
and the presentee appointed with or with- to have exercised great influence upon its
out the assistance of a military force, ac- spirit and the whole course of its proceedcording to the amount of the opposition ings for many years. This was an overwhich had to be overcome.    Some of ture respecting the small livings in the
these cases, however, involved the ques- Church, many of which were not suffition respecting the jurisdiction of the civil cient to yield a respectable maintenance.
courts, with regard to the settlement of It was decided that a committee should
ministers.  ItI she case of Dunse, for in- be appointed to draw up a report to be
stance, in 1749, one of the applications laid before next Assembly. The Assemmade to the civil court was, that they bly of 1750 directed Dr. Cuming, the
would arrest the proceedings of the moderator, to proceed to London at the
church court, by forbidding them to mo- head of a deputation, to lay the report
derate a call at large, or settle any other before government, and to apply for an
man than the presentee.   " This con- augmentation. The nobility, gentry, and
clusion the Lords would not meddle with, landed proprietors in general, took the
because that was interfering with the alarm, and made preparations for the
power of ordination, or internal policy most strenuous opposition, although they
of the Church, with which the Lords were in possession of the teinds, which
had nothing to do."*  Several decisions were  always regarded as the patriof a precisely similar character were mony of the Church, and subject to such
made by the Court of Session, indicating augmentations from time to time as might
clearly the opinion of that court, that be required.  One of the methods emwhile it fell within their province to de- ployed by the heritors to defeat this righttermine whether a settlement shouldcarry ful claim of the Church, was a threat
with it the civil emoluments attached to that the law of patronage should be more
the ministerial office, they were not en- stringently applied than it had hitherto
titled to interfere with the spiritual pro- been, and that presbyteries should not be
ceedings of the Church, either in confer- allowed to evade it, by showing any deferring or withholding the ministerial char- ence to the people, as they had occasion
ally done.f  The result was, that the'Brown's supplement, vol. v. p. 768; Annals of the
Assembly, vol. i. p. 147. See also a remarkable paper'Annals of the Assembly, vol. i. pp. 169-180.
by Lord Kames in his Law Tracts.' Ibid. pp. 19095, 197.




360             HISTORY OF TiLE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. IX.
scheme was defeated, and the Moderates the Church of Scotland had previously
were made to feel that the heritors were known,andthistimewithcompletesuccess.
well contented to make use of them in   [1752.] This opportunity arose out of
taking away the rights of the people by the disputed settlement of Inverkeithing.
the violation of the Revolution Settlement Mr. Andrew  Richardson, minister at
and the Treaty of Union, but were not Broughton, had been presented to the
disposed to refund any portion of their parish of Inverkeithing, but was not acillegal pillage, which they possessed in ceptable to the parishioners.  The presconsequence of that violation. This dis- bytery of Dunfermline hesitated to proappointment seems to have paralyzed the ceed with his settlement, but were ordered
energies of Dr. Cuming, who had been to admit him, with certification, that the
the chief leader of the Moderate party for Commission would proceed to very high
many years, and to have been the cause censure in case of their disobedience.
of a new developement of Moderate policy, They still declined compliance; and the
which soon afterwards appeared, under Commission which met in March 1752
the management of an abler and a bolder issued a new command to them to proman.                                  ceed, the sentence of censure not being
[1751.] The first appearance of this carried, though lost by a narrow majority.
new aspect of Moderate policy was in the When the case came before the Assemcase of Torpichen, which was decided in bly, it gave occasion to a full developethe year 1751. It had arisen three years ment of the principles of the new Moderate
before, when, after the death of Mr. Bonar, policy, which Robeitson was determined
the last of the Marrow-men, a Mr. Wat- to introduce.  The form which the disson was presented to the parish by the cussion assumed turned upon the proposipatron, to whose settlement the parish- tion, " How far the members of inferior
ioners could not be persuaded to consent. judicatories are bound to give effect to
Twice was the case brought before the the sentences of superior courts, in oppoAssembly,-in the years 1749 and 1750, sition to the dictates of their own private
-and the presbytery of Linlithgow were judgment and conscience."  This had
each time enjoined to admit Mr. Watson. been evaded by the device of the " riding
But as the opposition continued, they de- committees;" but the pregnant hint reclined to obey the ungracious injunction. cently given by the heritors, that the law
They were rebuked by the Assembly of of patronage would be more strictly en1751, and again ordered to proceed; but forced, and presbyteries not permitted to
in case they should still delay, a " riding evade it as formerly, seems to have led
committee" was empowered to effect the Principal Robertson to the idea, that it
settlement, which was done on the 30th would be more expedient for the superior
of May 1751, by the aid of a military church courts to govern their own suborforce.*  This was the last instance of a dinate judicatories, and thereby to gratify
settlement effected by means of a " riding the heritors and regain their favour, than
committee."  That device, it will be re- to leave the matter to the civil courts, and
membered, had been adopted in order to lose all hope of propitiating the heritors,
accomplish the settlement of an unaccept- without the possibility of acquiring popuable presentee, without doing violence to lar support.  The result may be briefly
the feelings and conscientious scruples stated.  Robertson's  policy prevailed.
of presbyteries. But in this case a very The presbytery were commanded to prostrenuous attempt was made by William  ceed to the ordination of Mr. Richardson;
Robertson, minister of Gladsmuir, better and, as if to make the deed more glarknown by his subsequent designation, ingly despotic, it was commanded that
Principal Robertson, to compel the pres- not less than five members should be rebytery to proceed to the settlement, on garded as a quorum,-the usual number
pain of suspension or deposition. In this being three. Six of the presbytery dehe failed; but a new opportunity soon dined even then to comply; and one of
occurred for renewing his attempt to these, the Rev. Thomas Gillespie of Carestablish a more pure despotism  than nock, was deposed from the office of the
ministry for contumacy. The venerable
Ibid. pp. 156, 181, 198-212; Patronlge Report, Ap- ministry forontumacy. Th e venerable
Dendix.                               man, when the sentence was pronounced~




A. D. 1752.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    361
meekly answered, " I rejoice that to me is in the Christian Church no principle
it is given, in behalf of Christ, not only different from  those natural principles
to believe on Him, but also to suffer for which form  and regulate society.  It
His sake."*  This tyrannical deed gave contains no recognition of the scriptural
rise to the Secession which is known by basis of ecclesiastical authority.  It even
the name of the Relief, and marks the leads inevitably to the conclusion, that
commencement of the new Moderate dy- superior ecclesiastical authority ought to
nasty.                                supersede the conviction of conscience to
Before the ultimate decision of this case such an extent as to warrant the comhad been pronounced, the two contend- mission of what an individual regarded
ing parties had publicly emitted what may as positively sinful. But every truly rebe termed the manifesto of each,t the ligious man, who makes the Bible his
manifesto of the Moderate party being the rule, must see that this analogy is false,
production of Dr. Robertson.  As this the argument founded on it vicious, and
able paper contained the principles of the conclusion inept and wrong.  Can
ecclesiastical polity which guided Robert- men, without any higher aid, make a
son's administration, has been referred to church and frame laws for it as they
with strong approbation by his successor can make a monarchy or a republic?
in church power, Principal Hill, and Such a low secular view     of the nahas continued ever since to be regarded, ture of a true Church was never enteras in a great degree, the standard of Mo- tained by the great men of the First and
derate church policy, it deserves some Second Scottish Reformations; such conattention.  It begins by a clear and clusions are utterly and irreconcilably at
forcible statement of what Robertson re- variance with the principles and the spigarded as the first principle of society, rit of the Presbyterian Church. On the
regulated subordination, in which private contrary, one of the fundamental prinjudgment is so far superseded by the ciples of Presbyterian polity is, " That
authority of the ruling power, that no all church power is ministerial, and not
member of society can avoid executing magisterial or lordly."  Whence it folthe orders of the supreme authority in lows, that the duty of the office-bearers
any other way than by withdrawing from  in a Christian Church, met together in
it. This principle he immediately ap- the name of their only and Divine Head
plies to what he terms "'ecclesiastical and King, to deliberate and act for the
society," and proceeds to reason to the edification of his body the Church, is to
same conclusion, asserting boldly that the endeavour, by prayer and by searching
conscience of subordinate members is so the Scriptures with earnest faith and
far superseded by the orders of their su- singleness of heart, to ascertain what is
periors, v horn they are bound to obey, the mind and will of Christ in the matthat they are either not entitled to plead ter, and then to act according to the judgit, or are bound to withdraw; declaring ment of conscience thus enlightened by
strenuously, that " if the decisions of the the Word of God, in all gentleness and
General Assembly may be disputed and brotherly love. This is the first prindisobeyed by inferior courts with im- ciple of Presbyterian Church governpunity, the Presbyterian constitution is ment, flowing from the great doctrine of
entirely overturned." This forms the very the Headship of Christ; and every peressence of his argument; and every intel- son capable of understanding the Bible,
ligent person, especially every thought- and acquainted with the Presbyterian
ful Christian, will at once perceive, that constitution, must see that the opposite
the analogy on which his argument is view is equally unscriptural and unpresfounded commences with a falseprinciple, byterian.  And it may be very safely
and consequently that the argument is affirmed, that no church court, actuated
vicious throughout, and the conclusion by this principle, and proceeding in this
false. This analogy assumes, that there manner, could ever have arrived at the
conclusion, that their obedience to the' Annals of the Assembly, vol i. pp. 222-230, 262-271; conclusion th e g e  eir obedience to th
Patronage Report. Appendix.           laws of the gospel required of them to'See these two Papers in Morien's Annals of the perpetrate that grievous violence to the
Assembly, vol. i. pp. 231-260.
46




362               HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    [CHAP. X.
conscience of the Christian people, the science of individuals free both to protest
members of Christ's body, which is in- against, and to abstain from, actively asvolved in forcing them   to listen to the sisting to carry into effect what they think
instructions of a false teacher, or of one sinful, provided they offer no actual opwho, instead of feeding and protecting the position, having always this resource,
flock as a shepherd, acts towards them as that it can appoint others to execute its
a ravening wolf, regardless of their spi- orders when that is still held necessary.
ritual welfare, provided he can secure the
fruits of the benefice.  Yet such unpresbyterian, unscriptural, unchristian principles, were promulgated by Robertson
as the manifesto of the Moderate party,              CHAPTER        X.
formed the rule of his long and vigorous
administration, were lauded and followed   FROM THE PERIOD OF THE SECOND SECSby Hill, and have ever been regarded, by       SION TILL THE ASSEMBLY OF 1841.
subsequent Moderate leaders, as the very  Stgle against the new Moderate Policy-efence of
standards of their policy, till the present  Hume and Kames-Assessment for the Poor-Cases
time, when, finding that their own prin-     ers-Ho me and J th-Overturhes r olpectsing the Elciples would lead to the direct conde-      lands —Simony-TheReliefSecessian formed —Character of the Moderate Party in Preaching, Discipline,
nation of some of their own party, they     Secularity, &c.-The Schism Overtures-Intrusion
have discovered that supreme ecclesiasti-   Settlement at St Ninians-Increase of the Secession,
and the Consequences viewed statiscally-Repeal of
cat authority resides in the Court of Ses-  Popish Disabilities —Debate on Pluralities-Retiresion, and that they are bound in con-     ment of Principal Robertson from the General Asn, and tat they are bound in cn- sembly-Causes of his Retirement-Proposal of the
science to render implicit obedience to its  Moderates to abolish Subscription to the Confession
of Faith-Dr. Hill-Proposal to abandon the Modera.
dictates in matters of ordination.  Even   tion of a Call-Dr. Cook's Theory of the Settlement
of Ministers —Dr. Hardy's views concerning Patronthis is natural: men who hold a false       age-Discussion on the Subject of Patronage-Opinprinciple are inevitably led from bad to    lig ion in Scotland -A settle
principle are inevitably led from bad to    ions of Dr. Hill and Dr. Cook-Declining State of Re-                   ] ~,  il            igion in Scotland-A settlement without Subscribing
worse, far, very far, beyond what they at   the Confession ofFaith-The New-Light Controversy
first would have conceived possible.   It  in Ayrshire-Robert Burns the Poet-SocinianismExcitement at the Period of the French Revolutionmay be added, as pointing out the ulti-     Revival of a Religious Spirit generally-Christian
1 bearing of these brief remarks,     Missions-Opposed by the Moderate Party-Chapels
mate   earing of these brief remarks, that  of Ease-Rowland Ii9]l-Refusal of Ministerial Comwhile the Moderate party would readily     munion with all other Churches, which completes the.  Moderate Systern-Rapid Growth of Evangelismdepose a minister for mere contumacy, or    Contest between Dr. Hill and the Edinburgh Doctors
disobedience to the commands of his su-     -Dr. Andrew Thomson-Dr. M:Crie —Debates on
isobdince to the commands ofPluralities —Dr Chalmers —Decline of Moderatismperiors, however sinful these commands      Mission to India-Apocrypha Controversy-The Voluntary Controversy-Ascendancy of the Evangelical
might be in themselves, although they       Party-Admission of Chapels of Ease-Subsequent
very generally screened immorality and    Contentions and Struggles-Present Position-Convery generay    screene        d immorality and  eluding Remarks and Reflections.
heresy; the Evangelical or truly constitutional party could not depose except    THE decision of the Assembly of 1752,
for some deed in itself sinful, either as in the case of Inverkeithing and the presimmoral or heretical.     No man who bytery of Dunfermline, followed by the
can estimate aright the true nature of severe and despotic measure of Mr. Gilecclesiastical jurisdiction, will hesitate a lespie's deposition, gave rise to feelings
moment to say which of these two modes of strong indignation and alarm throughof procedure is that which ought to be out the kingdom.       A general apprehenfollowed by a true Christian Church.      sion prevailed among the friends of reliIt is not denied that the constitution of gious liberty, that the reign of absolute
the Presbyterian   Church requires the and spiritual despotism was now indeed
submission of the inferior to the superior begun in Scotland, since the General
courts; for were that not the case, the Assembly had committed a deed distinctly
Church of Scotland must sink into the subversive of the first principles of the
Independent system; and in some of Presbyterian constitution, which had altheir arguments the minority of that ways hitherto been the very citadel of
period  were   not sufficiently guarded   freedom, civil and religious.   The subagainst that extreme.   But while sound    ject was discussed with great anxiety in
Presbyterian polity requires this due sub- many of the synods and presbyteries;
ordination of courts, it leaves the con- overtures were framed for the purpose of




A. D. 1653.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    363
obtainingr a repeal of the Assembly's de- had the possession of power, and they
cision, and the restoration of Mr. Gilles- could therefore the more easily set aside
pie to his charge; and numerous panm-right and disregard reason.   Besides,
phlets were written both against and in since the laws of civil society demand
defence of the new developement of complete subordination, therefore, accordModerate ecclesiastical polity.  Great ing to the fundamental maxim of the new
exprtions were also made by the orthodox Moderate dynasty, "ecclesiastical society"
party to procure a return to next Assem- must be governed in the same manner.
bly of a sufficient number of true Presby- Had the supporters of this principle folterians to reverse the recent despotic and lowed it to its legitimate conclusions, they
unconstitutional measure; and not less would have found themselves the advostrenuous were the Moderates on their vates of the hideous doctrines of entire
part to retain their ascendancy and con- slavish obedience to tyranny in the State
firm their new position.              and Popery in the Church,-that is, to
[1753.] When the Assembly met in absolute despotism, civil and religious.
1753, it speedily appeared that the strug- For whatever takes away the right of
gle was to be of a very arduous and private judgment, commanding implicit
doubtful character. A comparative trial obedience, especially in matters of reliof strength arose on the question respect- gion, to use the language of the Confesing the election of a legal agent for the sion of Faith, " destroys liberty of conChurch, and in this Dr. Cuming, the re- science, and reason also," reducing men,
cognised Moderate leader, was defeated. as far as it is possible, to the condition of
But this defeat seems to have had the irresponsible and unreasoning slavery.
effect of leading to a greater degree of " But you are not compelled to obey, if
union in that party, and a more deter- your conscience forbid you: it is in your
mined effort to secure their predominance. power to withdraw."  Such was the lanThe case of Mr. Gillespie came next guage of the manifesto, and still is the
under consideration; and the question language of those who hold the same
proposed for the vote was, whether he principles.  To that the ready answer
should be restored to the exercise of his was given: "Who empowered you to
office as a minister of this Church or not. frame laws contrary to the constitution
It was decided in the negative by a ma- of the Presbyterian Church, which you
jority of three. Next dayan attempt was have sworn to obey and maintain, and
made to procure the remission of the sub- contrary to the laws of the Christian
ject to the Commission, with power to Church, given by Him who alone is
that court to restore Mr. Gillespie, if he Lord of the conscience, and then to punish
should make application; but this also men because they adhere to the constituwas resisted, and again lost by the nar- tion of the Church of their fathers, and,
row majority of three.*  A considerable when charged with disobeying your
number of ministers and elders dissented laws, answered, with the apostles,' whefrom these decisions of the Assembly, and ther it is right to obey God or man,
gave in their reasons of dissent, which judge ye?' "  Such were the opinions
the ruling party prudently abstained from  entertained, and arguments used, by the
attempting to answer. By these reasons evangelical ministers of the Church of
it was made clearly to appear that the Scotland, in that time of struggle against
sentence of deposition had been pro- a party who did not scruple to subject
nounced on account of an alleged offence, every spiritual consideration to the arbiagainst which there existed no law de- trary rules of secular policy. It was not,
claring it to deserve deposition; while perhaps, to be expected that secular polithe whole practice of the Church, in ticiarls would perceive the fallacy which
similar cases, had not gone beyond cen- lay at the source of the Moderate system;
sure. so that the sentence of itself was un- but it might surely be hoped that they
constitutional if tested by the laws of the would be able to mark the pernicious reChurch, and unchristian by those of the suits that have followed, and to arrive at
Scriptures.t  But the Moderate party the very simple and obvious conclusion,
that the cause must be essentially bad
ol      the Assembly vol. i. p. 278.  Ibid., which has produced such consequences.
~ol. ii. p. 21.




364             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. X.
It will not be difficult to trace the main nance of.the poor, without any regular
lines of the historical demonstration.  assessment, till the year 1755, when the
Among the pamphlets which this con- increase of the Secession, withdrawing
test between the two parties drew forth, numbers of people from the pale of the
by far the most remarkable was "Wither- Established Church, and to the same exspoon's Ecclesiastical Characteristics." tent dimtnishing the collections, rendered
This was published in September 1753, it necessary to resort, in some instances,
and immediately acquired great celebrity, to regular assessments to supply the
both in Scotland and England.    The growing deficiency.*  This was one of
wrath of the Moderate party, whose the fruits of patronage on which its admaxims of ecclesiastical policy is so keen- mirers had not probably calculated, when
ly satirized, was excessive; but they wise- they planted that deadly upas tree in the
ly abstained from attemptingto answer it. vineyard of the Scottish Church. By
And it may be safely said, that if any enforcing patronage they first caused a
impartial person would take Dr. Robert- Secession; and by continuing their inson's Manifesto, and Witherson's Char- fatuated procedure they nourished its
acteristics, and peruse them both candidly, growth, till the effects began to appear in
looking also into the records of the the form of diminished resources for the
Church courts under Robertson's admin- maintenance of the poor, which they were
Astration, he would find himself constrain- compelled themselves to supply. Still, as
ed to admit that the Moderate policy had if smitten with judicial blindness, they
been fairly and justly characterised.  continued, and till this day continue, to
[1754-55.]  The transactions of the enforce a system which, if persevered in,
years 1754 and 1755 present little deserv- can end in nothing but the overthrow of
ing to be recorded.  In the former the the Presbyterian Church, and the imposicase of Biggar was terminated by a com- tion of a national poor-rate, vastly more
promise.  In the latte. there arose a dis- expensive to the community, and, at the
cussion, respecting the infidel writings of same time, a fertile nursery of immorality
David Hume, which the Assembly con- and crime.
demned, without however, naming the     [1727.]  The assembly of 1756 sigauthor, which would not have been con- nalized itself by its decision of the case
venient, as he was living in terms of of Nigg in Ross-shire.  That parish had
friendly irtimacy with several of the enjoyed the blessing of a faithful evangeModerate leaders. A short time after the lical minister, Mr. John Balfour; and
rising of the Assembly, Hume was de- upon his death the next presentee was not
fended by Dr. Blair, in a pamphlet pub- only of a totally opposite character with
lished anonymously, to avoid the un-regard to doctrine, but was also accused
seemliness of a teacher of religion being of drunkenness, which accusation was
the avowed defender of one who made no only not proved against him. Great opsecret of his infidelity. The speculations position was made to the settlement by
of Lord Kames were at the same time the pious parishioners, and equal reluebrought under consideration, and were tance was manifested by the majority of
virtually included in the same censure; the presbytery to perpetuate the outrage
although it seems to have been felt that commanded by the superior courts. But
they might be regarded as little more the fate of Gillespie was before their eyes;
than the idle mental discussions of an ec- and under a strong feeling of sorrow and
centric man of genius, and not likely to regret, four of the presbytery repaired to
be productive of serious injury to the the church of Nigg, to discharge the
cause of truth.*  One apparently slight painful duty.  The church was empty;
circumstance incidentally stated by Sir not a single member of the congregation
Henry Moncreiff, deserves to be men- was to be seen. While in a state of pertioned as connected with this year; it is, plexity what to do in such a strange conthat the resources of the kirk-sessions dition, one man appeared, who had it in
continued to be sufficient for the mainte- charge to tell them, " That the blood of
the parish of Nigg would be required of' Annals of the Assembly, vol. ii. pp. 54.60. See also,
Life of Kames, by Lord Woodhouselee.' Life of Erskine, Appendix, p. 409




A. D. 1757.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   365
them, if they should settle a man to the justly regarding personal religion as the
walls of the kirk.*  Having delivered first qualification for an office-bearer in
solemnly this appalling message, he de- the Church, and concluding that no man
parted, leaving the presbytery astonished could be personally religious who negand paralyzed. They proceeded no fur- lected public and family worship. But
ther at the time, but reported the case to it would not have suited Moderate policy
the Assembly of 1756. They were re- to have held the possession of personal
buked for having failed in that implicit religion as an indispensable qualification
obedience which was now the rule of of an office-bearer in the Church. The
duty under the Moderate government of only qualifications which they regarded
the Church; and the minister who was as absolutely indispensable were,-for a
most opposed to the settlement was the minister, that he had received a presentavery one appointed to carry it into effect. tion from a patron,-and for an elder, that
He yielded. Mr. Patrick Grant was he possessed political influence, or was
"settled to the walls of kirk;" and the connected with those who did. And the
outraged people of Nigg built a meeting- practice was about that time introduced,
house for themselves, leaving to the which soon became the settled custom, of
wretched intruder his benefice, on which ordaining young lawyers to the eldership,
to batten, without a flock to tend.  that they might sit in Assemblies, exercise
The case of Jedburg came before this their oratorical powers, and swell the
Assembly, though its final decision did Moderate majorities.  It was evident that
not take place till two years afterwards. they might discharge all these functions
The parishioners of Jedburgh had almost without any personal religion; and thereunanimously petitioned that the Rev. Mr. fore the Moderate party strenuously reBoston of Oxnam, son of the celebrated sisted the attempt to have an attestation of
Boston of Etterick, might be their minis- their possessing that qualification declared
ter.  ThE presentation, however, was to be indispensable. The Moderates were
given to Bonar, grandson of Bonar of successful by a considerable majority;
Torphichen; but when he found the in- and thus another glaring violation of reclinations of the people so decidedly fixed ligious principle and the constitution of
on Mr. Boston, he resigned the presenta- the Presbyterian Church was perpetrated.
tion.  The patron might now have con- The evil consequences of this irreligious
suited the wishes of the people; but that decision were clearly pointed out by
would have been contrary to the princi- Witherspoon, in a dissent which he laid on
ples of the mild government of Modera- the table of the Assembly; and they have
tism, and therefore a new presentation been completely realized, as the sufferings
was given to another person, not likely to of the Church even yet too clearly prove.*
commit the fault of which Mr. Bonar had  The next matter which came before
been guilty.                         the Assembly, after having occupied the
[1757.] The first subject which en- attention of a number of the subordinate
gaged the attention of the Assembly in church courts in different parts of the
the year 1757, arose out of objections country, was one which had its origin in
against the commissions of the elders the elegant studies and amusements of the
from six or seven different Presbyteries. Moderate clergymen. The Rev. John
The defect urged against these commis- Home, minister of Athelstanefore, the
sions was, that they did not bear that the eager supporter of Robertson in procurelders were qualified according to the act ing the deposition of the pious and con1722, in which specific mention is made scientious Gillespie, had composed the
that elders should be "strict in their ob- tragedy of Douglas; and when it was
servation of the Lord's day, and in regu- represented in the Edinburgh Theatre,
larly keeping up the worship of God in both the author and many of his clerical
their families."  The orthodox and con- friends were present at the representation.
stitutional ministers argued that these This gave great offence to a large procommissions ought to be rejected as in- portion of the Church, both ministers
valid, on account of this serious defect, and people, who very justly regarded
such conduct as giving countenance to'Annals of the Assembly, vol. ii. pp.'77-80; Patronage
Report, Appendix.'Annals of the Assembly, vol. ii. pp. 102-108.




366             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
the gross profanity and licentiousness of or refused to provide them, notwithstand
the stage itself, and the still grosser im- ing the urgent entreaties and remonmoralities which haunt its precincts. strances of the society.  In one point of
The result was, that Home resigned his view this was not strange.  The greater
charge; and his play-going friends, the part of the Highland heritors were both
most distinguished of whom  was Dr. Papists and Jacobites, and consequently
Carlyle of Inveresk, submitted to be re- had no love for the propagation of relibuked and admonished.*                gious knowledge, and as little for the ex[1758.] In the year 1758 Dr. Robert- tension of the Presbyterian system, which
son was translated from Gladsmuir to paralyzed their rebellious tendencies, as
Edinburgh; and from that time his as- they themselves had formerly owned in
cendancy in church courts, which had their complaints against new churches
already nearly superseded that of Dr. and schools. But it might have been
Cuming, became altogether paramount, anticipated that under a Protestant goand remained unshaken till he voluntarily vernment, the law which declared that
withdrew upwards of twenty years after- there should be a school in every parish
wards.  In the same year Boston of Ox- would have been put into execution, and
nam, grieved with the proceedings of the that the supplementary exertions of this
church courts, both in their utter disre- truly Christian society would not have
gard of the feelings, wishes, and edifica- been pleaded as an excuse by the heritors
tion of the people, and in the culpable leni- for their own neglect of duty. The disency shown to clerical delinquents, gave cussion of this subject was ultimately
in to the presbytery of Jedburgh his de- attended with the most beneficial results,
mission of the charge of Oxnam, and in the erectionof about fortynew churches
ceased to be a minister of the Church of in the Highlands, with an ordained minScotland.  The people of Jedburgh, find- ister in each, though the admission of
ing all their endeavours to obtain him as these ministers into church courts did not
minister of the parish ineffectual, built a take place till a very recent period, when
church, and gave him a call to be their a more constitutional spirit had begun to
pastor. This call was signed by the town prevail.
council, the session, and all the heads of  [1759.] The only thing which merits
families except five. On the day of his attention in the year 1759 is the passing
admission the magistrates attended in all of the act against Simony, which had
their official dignity, and the new church been rendered necessary to prevent the
was crowded by at least two thousand disgraceful pactions entered into between
people.t  He was ordained by a Mr. patrons and presentees in manyinstances,
Mackenzie, who had once been minister especially since the law of patronage had
of Lochbroom, but was then minister of begun to be so steadily enforced.  This
a dissenting congregation in England, and kind of crime had been distinctly foreafterwards was called to be their pastor seen, as certain to arise out of patronage;
by the injured people of Nigg. This and while this act condemns the sinful
loss to the Church of a faithful minister consequences, it by implication condems
and a warm-hearted congregation, was also the sinful cause.
a fitting celebration of Dr. Robertson's  [1760-65.] No new principles, either
translation to Edinburgh, and accession of evil or of good, obtained developement
to unlimited ecclesiastical power.    during the years between 1760 and 1765,
A representation was laid before this and, therefore, they maybe passed rapidly
Assembly, by the Society for Propagating over, merely glancing at some events
Christian Knowledge, respecting the de- which illustrate the topics already stated.
ficiency of parish schools in the High- A deputation was sent to the Highlands,
lands. From this document it appeared, to explore the state of religion in those
that there were in the Highlands no less remote districts; and a full repoit having
than one hundred and seventy-five par- been laid before the Assembly, that venerishes where there were no parochial able court strongly recommended the
schools, and where the heritors neglected erection of new churches and parochial
districts, the ministers of which were to
Annals of the Assembly, vol. ii. pp. 112129 suported out of the royal bounty.
t Ibid., vol. ii. pp. 154-159.  be supported out of the royal bounty.




A. D. 1760.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    367
The violent settlement of Kilconquhar. land in Galloway. But when charges of
on the decision of the Assembly in 1760,* heresy against any minister were brought
caused the secession of a large body of before the Assembly, they were invariathe people of that parish, and gave occa- bly discouraged, and the charge repelled;
sion to the completed form  which the and on one occasion, the faithful minister
second Secession assumed in the course who had brought forward the charge was
of the following year. A new church actually reproved for his conduct, and
was built by the aggrieved people, and warned " not to be over ready to fish out
on the 22d of October 1761, the Rev. heresies."  Several very glaring cases
Thomas Gillespie, formerly of Carnock, of violent intrusion occurred: such as
and the Rev. Thomas Boston, formerly that of Kilmarnock, in 1764; and that
of Oxnam, together with a Mr. Collier, of Shotts, in 1765, where the presbytery
met at Colinsburgh in Fife,and constituted had rejected Mr. Wells on his trials, as
themselves into the Presbytery of Relief, being, if not wholly deficient, yet so low
the reason of assuming that designation and mean in the knowledge of divinity,
being, that they took this method of ob- that he did not come up to the character
taining relief from the intolerable despot- of a minister of the gospel. Yet the
ism of patronage. The course of defec- Assembly reversed this judgment, and
tion, meanwhile, continued to proceed ordered him to be ordained; and when
rapidly, deepening, expanding, and pour- the opposition of the people was so great
ing on like an inundation. The doctrines that it could not be accomplished in the
of the gospel were superseded by cold parish, he was ordained in the sessionand formal harangues respecting the house at Hamilton. Many cases occured,
4 beauty of morality," and the " good of also, of such atrocious immorality, that
the whole," couched in as much elegance it is not fitting to stain these pages with
of style as these reverend essayists could their recital;t and yet all these cases
achieve. The greater part of the pulpit were  defended, and  the  delinquents
productions of those times which have screened, by the Moderates, till, in some
been preserved from oblivion are certainly of them, the strong indignation of innot such as to do much honour to the ta- sulted public decency compelled the senlents, judgment, or even taste of that class tence of deposition to be passed. Such
of men by whom they were elaborated. were some of the glories of Principal
Even Blair's Sermons, which reached the Robertson's administration, so lauded in
highest pitch of excellence that Moderate his own day, so closely followed by his
pulpit oratory could aspire to, have long immediate successors, and held in such
since loat their factitious popularity, and high honour still by many who warmly
sunk to that dead level of monotonous applaud and eagerly emulate what they
lethargy in which must for ever slumber painfully feel and deeply deplore that they
all that is destitute of true spiritual life, cannot rival.
But while the vital principles of the gos-  It may seem a very pertinent question to
pel were in general very carefully ex- ask, how such criminal conduct could be
eluded from the sermons of the Moderate permitted to pass unpunished, much more,
clergy, an infusion of a different nature how it could be sheltered by church
was readily admitted. Heresy of various courts under the management of Principal
kinds sprang up, chiefly derived from the Robertson, a  high-minded, honorable
strong taint of Arminianism which the man, whose own moral character was alPrelatic incumbents introduced into the together unimpeachable. Simplybecause
Church. Pelagianism naturallyfollowed; his views of church government were
and the downward progress continuing, directly anti-scriptural, founded upon a
many began to entertain views very worldly principle, and pervaded throughclosely bordering upon Socinianism. To out by worldly considerations.  In his
this the writings of Taylor of Norwich mind the idea of an Established Church
very greatly contributed, which about was exceedinglysimple, and exceedingly
this time had become extremely popular
hiamon atm  hraid bcme etreml popu d, - Annals of the Assembly, vol. ii. p. 182.
among a certain class of the Moderate  t See annals of Assembly-cases of Professor Brown,
ministers, especially in the west of Scot- Dalrymple of Dallas, Carson of Anwoth, Park of Old
Monkland, Lyell of Lady Parish, and Nisbet of Firth
"Annals of tie Assembly, vol. ii. p. 201.  and Stenness.




368             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP, X.
false. He regarded it as merely a subor- piety expelled, conscience outraged, heredinate court, created by the State, and sy protected, immorality permitted to prepossessed of no authority but what was vail almost uncensured, and the Christian
derived from human laws. Wherever, community injured and despised.*    But
therefore, he found a human law, there he we turn from the ungracious task, and
formed an imperative rule; and all argu- hasten forward, purposing to touch only
merts brought from the direct language the prominent points, that arrest the attenof Scripture, the principles of the gospel, tion, and demand remark and explanation.
or the recoiling of a tender and enlight-  [1766.]  The Assembly of 1766 was
ened conscience, were by him entirely memorable on account of the overtures
disregarded. His administration certainly respecting schism which came before it,
deserves the praise of consistency, but as and occasioned a long and animated discertainly it was a terrible consistency of cussion.  The rapid increase of the Sedirect opposition to the fundamental prin- cession had excited alarm in the minds
ciples of Christianity, and of the Presby- of many who saw the pernicious conseterian Church, to whose standards he had quences likely to ensue from the abansubscribed his name, with all the grave donment of the National Church by so
deliberateness required in him who in the large a proportion of the people.  The
sight of heaven takes a solemn oath. overture states, that there were already no
How he reconciled his own conscience to fewer than one hundred and twenty meetsuch awful principles and conduct cannot ing-houses erected; and, viewing this as
be known; and it is not for man to judge a just cause of anxiety, and contrary to
his fellow-man.  Yet the cold and scarce- the very nature of a national establishapproving account he gave of the Refor- ment, which is of necessity intended for
mation,-his more than ambiguous views the religious instruction of the whole
of the Mosaic record,-the scornful terms community, it was proposed to inquire
in which Hume dared to write to him re- into the truth of this fact; and assuming
specting John Knox and the Scottish " that the abuse of the right of patronage
reformers,-and his own published letters had been one chief occasion of the proto Gibbon, not to mention other letters gress of the Secession, it was overtured
similar, but worse, which have never that the General Assembly would be
seen the light,-all concur in rendering it pleased to consider what methods may be
sadly dubious whether he did himself fully employed to remedy so great an evil;
comprehend   and believe the gospel.* and it was submitted whether it might
Even in the judgment of charity such a not be expedient to appoint a committee
doubt may find admission, rather than to correspond with Presbyteries, and with
the unutterably more fearful surmise, gentlemen of property and influence, and
that he and his party knew the gospel, and to report."t  After a very long deand intentionally trampled on its holy and bate, the Assembly agreed to abandon
merciful laws,-felt the full meaning and the proposed inquiry into the number of
power of the apostle's command, "Be not meeting-houses.  The remaining part of
lords over God's heritage," yet chastised the overture was then discussed and rethe Christian congregation with scor- jected by a vote of ninety-nine to eightypions,-knew what the true bread of life five.T  Thus the supreme ascendancy
was, yet gave to the people stones and of the Moderate party was again secured,
serpents.                             after having encountered a more severe
There would be no difficulty in giving assault than had been made upon it since
a still more appalling exposure of the 1752.  The arguments on both sides
principles and the practice of that party, turned chiefly upon the subject of patronthen and still known by the designation age, and were almost identical with those
of the Moderate party, who, after a long which are employed for and against it in
struggle, had succeeded in usurping the the present day. Indeed, there can be
government of the Church of Scotland, little difference in the modes by which
and under whose baleful domination that violation of Christian principle and
truth was stifled, faithfulness punished,
* Should this view be disputed, it shall, however re-' See the opinion of Wilberforce in his Practical luctantly, be amply proved.
View, p. 304, fifth edition.          t Annals of Assembly, vol. ii. p. 311.  X Iid., p. 329.




A. D. 1772.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  369
of the constitution of the Presbyterian was producing.  In the meantime the
Church is assailed, and its defence at- Moderates continued their reckless career.
tempted.  "Is patronage the law of the One instance may be briefly mentioned.
gospel 2"  "It is at least the law of the Mr. Thomson, minister of Gargunnock,
land."  "Is it consistent with the funda- was presented to the parish of St. Nimental principles of the Reformed Pres- nians; but the whole parish was opposed
byterian Church of Scotland 2"  "The to his settlement, some Episcopalians,
civil magistrate has at least always at- who cared nothing about the matter, and
tempted to introduce and enforce it, in a few non-resident heritors, being all that
spite of the opposition made by the could be prevailed upon to concur in his
Church."  " Was it the law of the Revo- call. The presbytery remonstrated with
lution Settlement and the Union?" "No the patron, the presentee, and the Genmatter; it was made by the law since, eral Assembly, but all in vain. Seven
and it is the law now."  "Has it not years of useless and evasive litigation in
alienated the affections of the people, church courts passed over; and at length,
driven them to a large and increasing in 1773, the Assembly issued a perempSecession, and thereby frustrated so far tory order to the presbytery to proceed to
the very object of an Established national the ordination, and every member to be
Church?" "No matter how many leave present. The presbytery met at St. Niit; they are perfectly at liberty to do so; nians; an immense crowd had assembled;
and there will be the more ease and peace and Mr. Findlay of Dollar began the refor those that remain."  These were the ligious duties which precede ordination
main lines of argument employed by and induction.   He then paused, and
those who wished to remedy the evil, called upon Mr. Thomson, who stood up
and those who refused to admit that it to listen to the moderator's address. Inwas an evil, and wished its permanent stead of proceeding to put the usual quescontinuation; and though it was perfectly tions, he made one of the most solemn
clear that Scripture, reason, constitutional and pointed appeals to the unhappy inlaw, and Christian feeling, all alike con- truder that ever was addressed to a hudemned it, yet the vote of a Moderate man being:-" We are met here this day
majority could set them all aside.  to admit you minister of St. Ninians.
The same year witnessed the demission There has been a formidable opposition
of another minister, the Rev. Mr. Baine made against you by six hundred heads
of Paisley, who joined the Relief Seces- of families, sixty heritors, and all the elsion, and became minister of one of their ders of the parish except one. This opchurches newly erected in Edinburgh. position has continued for seven years by
It may be mentioned, that the Seceders your own obstinacy; and if you should
were by no means pleased with what this day be admitted, you can have no
was termed the schism overture, having pastoral relation to the souls of this parish;
no desire to be regarded as schismatics, you will never be regarded as the shepand still retaining the principles of the herd to go before the sheep; they know
fathers of the Secession, who earnestly you not, and they will never follow you.
declared that they did not withdraw from  You will draw misery and contempt
the Church of Scotland, but from a pre- upon yourself-you will be despisedvailing party, by whom its government you will be hated-you will be insulted
was usurped, and all its principles vio- and maltreated. One of the most elolated.*                             quent and learned ministers of this
[1767-73.]  The agitation caused by Church told me lately that he would go
this keen contest did not soon pass away. twenty miles to see you deposed; and I
Nunrerous pamphlets appeared on the do assure you that I and twenty thousand
subject from time to time, some written by more friends to our Church would do
ministers of the Church, some by Sece- the same. What happiness can you proders, and some by laymen, who saw and pose to yourself in this mad, this despelamented the injurious effects which the rate attempt of yours, without the concurunmitigated exercise of patronage, under rence of the people, and without the least
the management of the Moderate party, prospect of usefulness in this parish,'Letter by Adam Gib.      Your admission into it can only be re'
47




370             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. X.
garded as a sinecure, and you yourself the year 1773, with a calculation founded
as stipend-lifter of St. Ninians, for you on it, showing the expense which such an
can have no further relation to this pa- extensive Secession entailed on the king.
rish. Now, Sir, I conjure you by the dom, falling ultimately upon the posses
mercies of God, give up this presentation; sors of fixed property, the landholders,
I conjure you, for the sake of the great and mercantile and commercial capitalnumber of souls of St. Ninians, who are ists. The author of this paper first states,
like sheep going astray without a shep- that there were in 1773 at least one hunherd to lead them, and who will never dred and ninety congregations of Secehear you, will never submit to you, give ders; and by a calculation which shows
it up; I conjure you, by that peace of him to have been well acquainted with
mind which you would wish in a dying the principles of political economy, he
hour, and that awful and impartial ac- proves, that the sum of money expended
count which in a little you must give in the maintenance ofthislarge Secession
to God, of your own soul, and of the could not amount to less than twelve hunsouls of this parish, at the tribunal of the dred thousand pounds, ultimately falling
Lord Jesus Christ, GIVE IT UP!"  There upon the possessors of fixed property, and
was silence, breathless, profound, awe- all caused by the destructive patronage
struck silence, for a space. At length law, and the tyrannical conduct of the
the heartless man made answer, "I for- Moderate party in the Church.*  If the
give you, Sir, for what you have now  correctness of that calculation be admitsaid-may God forgive you; proceed to ted, and the numbers of seceding congreobey your superiors."  Again there was gations to be taken now at five hundred,
silence; then in a low melancholy tone which appears to be near the reality, the
of voice, Mr. Findlay, omitting all usual amount thereby drained from the capital
forms, slowly said,-" I, as moderator of of the country cannot be less than three
the presbytery of Stirling, admit you, Mr. times the sum already stated. And this
David Thomson, to be minister of the enormous public burden is borne that
parish of St. Ninians, in the true sense patronage may be maintained, and eccleand spirit of the late sentence of the Gen- siastical power secured to a party whose
eral Assembly, and you are hereby ad- whole history is one wild tissue of heresy,
mitted accordingly."*  And thus once error, or suppression of the truth in docmore absolute patronage triumphed over trine, violation of the Presbyterian conthe principles and laws of Christianity, stitution, ministerial unfaithfulness, sinful
and another victory increased the glories conniving at immorality, and the most
of Principal Robertson's Moderate ad- wanton and cruel exercise of spiritual
ministration.                        despotism, which seemed even to exult in
That this was a direct and legitimate the infliction of wrong and outrage upon
consequence of the law of patronage, as a grave, intelligent, and religious people.
administered  by the Moderate party, Surely the nation will ere long awake,
headed by Principal Robertson, may be burst the yoke of patronage, and shake
very easily demonstrated; but he would off the incubus of Moderatism, beneath
be a rash and daring casuist who should which it has so long groaned.
attempt to prove, that it was a direct and  The stream of corruption rolled on,.egitimate consequence of the laws of widening and deepening as it swept
Christ, and reconcilable with the princi- along, for several successive years. Durple of his sole Headship and Sovereignty ing that time repeated instances occurred
over the Church.                    in which accusations of heresy were
[1774-78.] In the year 1774 there quashed or explained away, and charges
appeared a republication of the celebrated of immorality mitigated, smoothed over,
Professor Hutcheson's " Considerations and dismissed. Some cases, however,
on Patronage, addressed to the Gentle- occurred, too public and enormous to be
men of Scotland," which had been first thus passed by. To meet such painful
published in 1736.  To this was added cases the Moderate leaders resorted to'a
a curious appendix, containing a view of new device. They entered into a private
the state of the Secession in Scotland in arrangement with the delinquent, accord" Scots Magazine, vol. xxxv. pp. 614, 615.' Considerations on Patronage; reprinted 1774.




A. D. 1780.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   371
ing to which he agreed to accept a pen- them unfit conservators of public relision out of the stipend, to withdraw from  gious truth and moral purity, and because
the parish, and to permit an assistant to their allegiance to a foreign and necessabe appointed to discharge those duties rily hostile power at Rome, the enemy
which public decency would no longer of religious and civil liberty, and the imsuffer him to desecrate. This was called placable foe of the British constitution,
"mercy to a weak and erring brother;" rendered it impossible for them to be
what was it to the feelings of the dis- safely intrusted with influence in a Progusted community?-what to the pil- testant government, which they could not
laged assistant?-what to the purity of but regard it as a sacred duty to subvert.*
the Church of Christ? Many such cases These arguments were not answered
might be mentioned, from the earliest re- then; they have not since; and our own
corded instance during the domination times have furnished the most appalling
of Principal Robertson, down till the loss demonstrations of their truth.
of power by that party from whose cor-  [1780.]  Several events occurred to
rupt policy they originated; but we for- mark the year 1780 as memorable in the
bear, under a strong feeling of shame history of the Church of Scotland.  Of
and regret that such things could be these, the first that demands attention is
done by men who were at least nominal- the discussion respecting the propriety of
ly Christian ministers.              a minister holding a plurality of offices,
[1779.] The year 1779 is chiefly re- such as a church and a professorship.
markable for the formidable tumults There had been many instances of a
amounting almost to civil convulsions, minister being professor of Theology or
which agitated the country in conse- Church History, and at the same time
quence of the passing of an act of parlia- preaching regularly every Sabbath; but
ment, relaxing the civil disabilities and in all these instances there was either no
penalties resting upon the adherents of pastoral charge, or its duties were fulPopery in England, the provisions of filled by a colleague. The case out of
which were proposed to be extended to which the discussion rose was that of Dr.
Scotland. The subject came before the Hill of St. Andrews, who, while profes.
General Assembly in the form   of an sor of Greek in that university, had been
overture  for  petitioning  parliament appointed to a parochial charge in the'
against the bill, and was discussed with city, and still continued to hold the progFeat ability, the Moderate party advocat- fessorship.  A strong endeavour was
ing the removal of these disabilities, and made by the Evangelical party to prethe Evangelical party opposing it. The vent this plurality of offices from obtaindiscussion ended as was to be expected; ing the sanction of the General Assemfor when the arguments of such men as bly, both as incompatible with the constiDr. Erskine and Mr. Stevenson of St. tution of the Church, and as rendering it
Madoes could not be answered, they absolutely impossible that the important
could be overwhelmed by a vote. But duties of a pastor could be adequately disthough the overture was rejected on its charged in that parish. But Dr. Hill
first appearance in 1778, the tumultuary was already regarded as the second hope
excitement of 1779 induced Robertson to of the Moderate party, and they defended
retrace his steps, and consent to its being the appointment strenuously, and with
then passed as an act. The views of complete success.    There is, besides,
the orthodox party, by whom the over- reason to believe, that there was more in
ture was supported, were utterly averse this than was allowed to meet the eye,from any thing like giving sanction to that it was the initiatory step in a scheme
persecution.  The main argument was, intended to introduce the system of pluthat while Roman Catholics ought not to ralities and non-residence, resembling as
be prohibited from worshipping God in closely as might be possible that system
their own way, nor subjected to severe as it exists in its palmy state in England.t
penalties because they did; yet they This, it will be admitted, was no unnaought not to be intrusted with political
power, because their own corrupt and           Life of Erskine, pp. 284-294.
poer,*ne' yt    a *  *    j      t Narrative of the Proceedings of Assembly 1780, by
erroneous system  of religion rendered the Rev. James Burn, minister at Forgan, pp. 29.31.




372              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
tural result of King William's " compre- demonstration, that Moderatism is essenhension scheme," which, after the struggle tially anti-presbyterian and anti-scripof three generations, seemed ripening into tural,-contrary at once to the constituan assimilation scheme.               tional laws of both Church and State,
But the most signal event by which that and to the principles and regulations of
year was distinguished was the retire- the gospel?  And the mighty magician
ment of the celebrated Principal Robert- whose potent words had raised the demon,
son from the high functions which he had not the courage to confront and quell
had so long discharged, as leader of the it;-the magnanimous man, whose touch
dominant party in the General Assembly. of power had drawn from the infidel
The only direct account of the reasons heart of unregenerate humanity this wild
which induced Robertson to withdraw   response, recoiled in terror, " scared by
from his. position as leader of the Assem- the sound himself had made."  It is
bly while his constitution was still unbro- deeply instructive to trace the progress
ken, and all his faculties unimpaired, is of an evil principle, though it is startling
to be found in a communication from the to see it when it appears in all its native
Rev. Henry Moncreiffto Dugald Stewart, hideousness.
given in the appendix to his life of Robert-  We learn from other sources, that the
son. " I do not know," says Sir Henry, men by whom the proposal of abolishing
" whether the reasons which led Dr. Rob- subscription to the Confession of Faith
ertson to retire from the Assembly after was most importunately urged, were
1780 have ever been thoroughly under- Messrs. M'Gill and Dalrymple of Ayr,
stood.  He had been often reproached'Wodrow of Stevenston, Oughterstan of
by the more violent men of his party, for West Kilbride, Fergusson of Kilwinnot adopting stronger measures than he nirig, Ross of Inch in Galloway, and a
thought either right or wise. But there number of their neighbours and acquaintwas one subject which had become par- ances, who held similar opinions, but
ticularly uneasy to him, and on which were somewhat less open in asserting
he had been more urged and fretted than them. Several of these men not only emon all the other subjects of contention in braced, but publicly taught Socinian docthe Church,-the scheme, into which trines with little or no disguise; and the
many of his friends entered zealously, for small remains of conscience which they
abolishing subscription to the Confession possessed impelled them to desire to get
of Faith and Formula.    This he ex- altogether free from the bond of subscrippressly declared his resolution to resist in tion to a Confession of Faith which they
every form. But he was so much teased did not believe, and of which their whole
with remonstrances on that subject, that life and public teaching was a continual
he mentioned them as having at least denial   Principal Robertson, it appears,
confirmed his resolution to retire.  He opposed  this reckless proposal on a
claimed to himself the merit of having ground which very naturally suggested
prevented this controversy from  being itself to his habits of thought.  He knew
agitated in the Assemblies; but warned well that the Church established by law
me, as a young man, that it would be- in Scotland, is a Church publicly avowcome the chief controversy of my time, ing the doctrines stated in the Confession
and stated to me the reasons which had of Faith; and he saw clearly that to perdetermined his opinions on the subject."* mit subscription to this recognized standard
And this was the result of Principal to be abolished, would involve the hazard
Robertson's "wise and    enlightened" ofseveringthe connection between Church
policy during his despotic administration and State, since to cease subscription to
of ecclesiastical affairs,-the growth of that standard was virtually to cease from
a party directly opposed to the very ex- being the Church established by law.
istence of the Presbyterian constitution, The danger, however, was not so immitill it became too strong for even his firm  nent as he apprehended; and the heady
hand to control, and too importunately spirit of innovation in his mutinous folurgent for even his calm temper to en- lowers was checked by the encounter of
dure! Could there be a more conclusive a comparatively slight obstacle.  Some
"Life of Roberts'n, Appendix, - p. 297, 298.  landed proprietors, of better spirit and




A. D. 1782.]    HISTORY ui' THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  373
sounder judgment than those unconstitu-  From the time of the Reformation it
tional innovators, hearing of their design, had been the invariable principle of the
declared that the moment the signing of Presbyterian Church, as stated in the
Confession of Faith was abandoned, they Books of Discipline and in many of the
would consider the connection between acts of Assembly, that the call of the
Church and State at an end, and would people, inviting a duly qualified person to
therefore pay no more stipend. This was be their minister, was an indispensable
a consequence which these men were not element in the formation of the pastoral
prepared to meet, and their anxiety to ob- tie.  Even when Prelacy was forced
tain a greater liberty of conscience sunk upon the Church, the call continued to be
into nothing compared with their dread used, and notwithstanding the imposition
of incurring the loss of worldly wealth. and reimposition of patronage, the call
How readily do worldly-minded men un- was never abandoned. This was a clear
derstand, and how acutely feel a worldly proof that the Presbyterian Church had
argument, when dead to every thing of a at all times, and in all diversities of cirhigher and more sacred nature.       cumstances, regarded the call of the
[1781-82.]  When    Dr. Robertson people as an absolutely indispensable elewithdrew from the active management ment in the formation of the pastoral tie,
of ecclesiastial affairs, Dr. Hill of St. whereas patronage never was declared to
Andrews was immediately regarded as be either a prerequisite for, or an element
his successor in the high office of Mode- in, that sacred relation between ministers
rate leader inthe Assembly. But though and people. It was clear, nevertheless,
a man of great abilities and eloquence, he that there was an inherent incompatibility
never reached the pitch of absolute su- between a call of the people and patronpremacy which had been possessed by age; and that to whatever extent the inRobertson.  He cordially adopted the fluence of the one availed, to the same
leading principles of his predecessor's extent was the other impaired. For that
reign, as is clearly proved by his state- reason all ministers truly Presbyterian in
ment and advocacy of them in the corn- principle always contended  earnestly
munications which he furnished to Du- against patronage, as essentially and negald Stewart, and which are partly em- cessarily a violation of the constitution of
bodied in the Life of Robertson, partly the Church. But when there arose a
added in the. appendix to that work. But worldly-minded and unpresbyterian fache never acquired that unquestionable as- tion, formed out of the admitted curates
cendancy over the minds of the entire and the surviving indulged ministers, that
party which the great abilities and the faction concurring with reimposed patronhigh literary fame of Robertson had se- age, and therefore supported by patrons
cured to him.  His absence fiom Edin- and politicians, gradually gained the asburgh contributed also not a little to pre- cendancy over the Church, and following
vent him from possessing that degree of their natural bent, depressed the call into
influence which he might otherwise have a mere matter of form, and elevated the
obtained.  The Edinburgh ministers, presentation of a patron into absolute
several of them men of high talent, and supremacy.  This was not fully accomthoroughly versant in ecclesiastical polity, plished till the despotic reign of Principal
schemed, deliberated, and arranged, while Robertson; for even Dr. Cuming pubDr. Hill was attending upon his own licly termed the law of patronage a "hard
duties in St. Andrews; and there often law," which it was necessary to obey
remained little more for him to do than to only till it could be got mitigated or restate and defend those measures which moved. But the first principle of Robertthe Edinburgh Doctors had already pre- son's administration, as stated by Dugald
pared. Occasionally, too, it happened, Stewart, and corroborated by Dr. Hill,
that his opinion and theirs did not tho- "was a steady and uniform support of the
roughly coincide, and that his eloquence law of patronage."*  He could, however,
in defence of his own view was over- both understand and imitate the wary
borne by their superior management. policy of an Augustus, and knew that it'f this a memorable instance occurred in was more safe to destroy the spirit of,he year 1782.' Life of Robertson, p. 173.




374              H-ISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. X.
liberty than to take away its form.  He Cook, the call having, according to his
therefore continued to require the form  hypothesis, been abolished, is the followof the call to be maintained, while he re- ing: —" That the first introduction of a
duced it to an empty form, an unreal presentee to those whose spiritual state he
mockery. After his resignation of the is destined to superintend, should not take
reins of ecclesiastical government, the place till he was actually settled amongst
constitutional Presbyterians seem to have them: That after all these matters had
cherished a hope that the ancient spirit of been arranged, a narration of the prothe Church might be at least partially re- ceedings should be communicated to the
vived, and that some degree of life might people; and they should be invited to
be infused into her paralyzed and pros- subscribe a paper, expressing their satistrate forms.                          faction with the presentee, and their resoThe subject was discussed extensively lution to contribute, by every method in
throughout the Church during the year their power, to his comfortable residence
1781, and in 1782 overtures from the amongst them."'   It is not necessary to
synods of Lothian, Glasgow, Fife, Perth, waste words in proving that such a theory
Angus, and Galloway, were laid before is equally unpresbyterian and absurd;
the Assembly, having for their object but it does seem passing strange that it
that the call might be revived, so as to be could ever have been seriously promore than a mere matter of form, and to pounded by a native of Scotland, acoperate as a partial limitation to patron- quainted with the character of the strongage.  These overtures were, of course, minded and warm-hearted Scottish people.
resisted by the Moderate party; but Dr. When the people of Scotland have forHill's motion against them was not suffi- gotten that ever a Presbyterian Church
ciently cautious to suit the wily policy of existed in their country, conferring upon
the Edinburgh conclave, and a different them  the inestimable blessings of civil
motion was proposed by Dr. Macknight, liberty, educated  intelligence,  moral
and carried.  Dr. Macknight's motion worth, and high spiritual privileges, and
was as follows:-" That the moderation when they have consented to become the
of a call, in settling ministers, is agreeable abject slaves of civil and religious despotto the immemorial and constitutional ism, then may such a scheme be tried,
usage of this Church, and that it ought but not till then.  The futile theory is
to be continued."  Dr. Hill's motion ad- here stated, however, for this important
mitted also that it was agreeable to the reason, that it is an irresistible demonimmemorial practice of the Church; but stration of the perfect identity, in principle
neither termed it " constitutional," nor and nature, of Moderatism  in former
said that it " ought to be continued," end- times with Moderatism now.  It is coning thus,-" dismiss these overtures, as at stantly said by Moderates, in attempting
this time unnecessary."  It was easily to defend their system  and themselves,
seen, that Dr. Hill's motion contained a that it is unfair to charge the Moderatism
virtual, and, had it been carried, it would of the present day with all the enormities
soon have produced a real, abolition of perpetrated by Moderatism in earlier and
the call itself; and the older and more less civilized times. But till they diswary Moderate leaders were not prepared claim the principles, as well as repudiate
to perpetrate so open an outrage upon the the practices, of their predecessors, they
constitutional forms of the Church, though are justly liable to the charge.  These
fully determined that nothing  which principles they cannot disclaim: for their
tended to thwart patronage and Moderat- present leader has avowed and defended
ism should ever be more than an empty them, even in their most aggravated
form.                                 character,-nay, to an extent far beyond
It deserves to be noted, that Dr. Cook, what his predecessors  in  successive
giving, in his Life of Dr. Hill, an account Moderate dynasties ever presumed to atof this debate on calls, enters into a long tempt. And we shall have occasion to
defence of Dr. Hill's motion, resting that show, that in practice, equally as in prindefence on the ground, that " call is in- ciple, Moderatism remains unchanged.
compatible with patronage, and therefore
nugatory."  The plan proposed by Dr.   See the whole of this very curious argument anl
nugatory.   The plan proposed by Dr. theory in Dr. Cook's Life of Hill, pp. 144-146




A. D. 1785.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    375
There is another incident connected rant application for redress."  "That a
with this year, to which we refer with new arrangement must take pace sooner
great delight, both on account of its own or latter, I conclude from the state of the
pleasing character, and because it tends country.  The desertion of great bodies
to explain some otherwise inexplicable of the people from the Establishment is
peculiarities in the new  Moderate dy- the melancholy evidence of the necessity.
nasty.                                Whatever secondary    causes may   be
It has been a-lready shown that the in- brought to account for it, there can be no
subordination of the heretical division of manner of doubt that it is chiefly to be
his forces was one of the chief motives ascribed  to the law  of patronage."
that induced Robertson to retire from the Then, after stating that the Secession may
management of    ecclesiastical affairs, be estimated at two hundred congregaBut there was another reason, which tions, comprising at least one hundred
must also be stated.  A tendency to re- thousand people, he continues,-" Mevive and defend evangelical doctrines be- thinks I hear some reckless youth, in degan to appear among individuals of the livering his maiden speech, exclaim on
Moderate party; and this was felt to be this point,'So much the better,-they
a more dangerous matter than either are the factious, the turbulent, the enthuheresy or immorality, and more likely to siastic; the Church is happily quit; it is
disturb the calm and steady progress of only her ill humours that are purged off'
despotism, inasmuch as men who possess Stay my young friend; you are very
religious principles cannot be governed honest but you want experience; a few
by mere worldly and selfish motives, more years will convince you, that the
The most conspicuous of the half-evan- Church is not enriched by her losses,
gelical moderates was   Dr. Thomas nor strengthened by the desertion of her
Hardy, recently appointed one of the sons."   Further, speaking of the necesministers of Edinburgh, and professor of sity of a change, he adds,-" The exChurch   History.  This distinguished tenor arrangement, therefore, ought in
man had evidently formed the plan of sound policy to correspond with the esuniting the best men of the two parties in sential nature of the Establishment, otherthe Church into one body, able to con- wise the Church will never be at peace;
trol the extreme sections of both.  It is and the experienced opposition of seventy
impossible to say how far he might have years, joined to the revolt of one hundred
succeeded in this laudable design had his thousand people, are the proofs that absolife been prolonged; but what is of im- lute patronage is irreconcilable with the
portance to notice is, that in 1782, during genius of Presbytery."*
the agitation in the Church connected    The   difference  between this able
with the overtures on calls, he published pamphlet and Dr. Robertson's manifesto
a pamphlet, entitled " The Principles is very marked and very instructive.
of Moderation, addressed to the Clergy of Dr. Hardy, though not decidedly evanthe Popular Interest in the Church of gelical in doctrine, was a man of great
Scotland."  A very few extracts will candour and integrity of mind, and his
suffice to show the spirit of this produc- enlarged and liberal views, together with
tion.  " You subjoin that this trans- some theoretical knowledge of evangeliference of power in 1712 was wrong; cal truth, enabled him to apprehend what
that it was unfriendly in its intention, and really is " the essential nature" of the
has been hurtful in its effects; and that Presbyterian Church, and to perceive
the liberty of British subjects entitles you that " absolute patronage is irreconcilable
to say, that it is a grievance, in the sim- with it." Dr. Robertson's peculiar theory
pie and grammatical sense of the word, and his want of that knowledge, left him
and ought to be redressed.  What reply to view it as a man of the world would
do we make to this?  None. We agree do, and to regard it as in nothing
with you in the sentiments of the law it- essentially different from a mere secular
self; we allow that it is a hardship, or, if institution having, indeed, some distincyou will contend for a word, we say with  - Those who cannot obtain this valuable pamphlet,
you, it is a grievance, not such indeed as  ill find extracts from it in Dr. Welsh's evidence in the
justify ressta,.                  Patronage Report, p. 260; and in the Dublin University
to JUStify resistance% but such as will war- IMagazine, No. xcviii. pp. 255, 256.




376           HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
tive forms which it was proper to pre- from the grievance of patronage, and in
seive as decent and characteristic, but this too he was successful. The omisbased upon secular maxims, governed sion of this clause in the instructions anby secular regulations, and pervaded nually given to the Commission is the
throughout by a secular spirit. The nearest approach the Church of Scotland
early and lamented death of Dr. Hardy has ever made towards even a recogniprevented  the  developement of  his tion of the patronage law, and it amounts
scheme; but the sacred element of evan- to nothing more than ceasing openly to
gelism which had begun to spread was condemn what she has never avowedly
destined to work with a disruptive might approved.  It will be remembered, that
among the secular principles of Modera- this clause was first inserted in the
tism, disturbing repeatedly the cold con- instructions given to the Commission
tinuity of their mortiferous operation, and by the Assembly of 1712, immediately
betokening the approaching dissolution after the passing of the perfidious and unof the whole unconstitutional and un- constitutional patronage act, and had been
scriptural system.  Even  Dr. Hill, repeated annually ever since.  Many
thoroughly as he had imbibed Principal years had elapsed since it had been atRobertson's views of ecclesiastical polity, tended to, the last decided public effort to
began ere long to exhibit symptoms'of a procure redress having been that of
tendency to evangelical doctrine; this in- 1735-36; but the retaining of the
creased with his increasing knowledge clause formed a standing testimony by
of sound theology, in the course of his the Church against the law of patronstudies as professor of divinity at St. An- age, and so far served to exculpate her
drews: and before the close of his career from  participation  in its guilt.  Dr.
his mind had acquired so full a percep- Robertson, with his usual sagacious totion of the truth as it is in Jesus, that leration of dead forms, permitted it to rethough he still co-operated with the Mo- main; but the greater rashness, or the
derate party generally, he had in a great higher degree of conscientious honesty
measure lost their confidence as may be of mind, in Dr. Hill, which had formerly
learned even from the cautious language led him to attempt abolishing the call
of Dr. Cook, in his life of that dis- induced him now to strike out a clause to
tinguished man.                      which he and his party never meant
[1783-84.] During the years 1783 and that any attention should be paid. This
1784, the chief subject which engaged was a very natural step for the Moderate
the attention of the General Assembly party to take, but, thoroughly irrational
was that of patronage.  Dr. Hardy's and unconstitutional. Before rescinding
pamphlet seems to have excited afresh a clause which required application to be
the hopes of all sound Presbyterians, that made for the redress of what was termed
a redress of that great grievance might a grievance, Dr. Hill ought to have peryet be obtained; and a number of over- suaded the Church to declare that she
tures were laid before the Assembly on had ceased to regard it as a grievance,
the subject.  A regular discussion at and viewed it rather as a matterof which
length took   place  respecting  these she now approved, and was desirous of
overtures in the Assembly of 1784. its permanent continuation. This howDr. Hill moved that they be "rejected ever, would have been too perilous an
as inexpedient, ill founded, and danger- attempt even for Dr. Robertson in all his
ous to the peace and welfare of the plentitude of power, as it would have
Church."  It is not necessary to state caused the Secession of nearly half of
even an outline of the arguments used on the ministers and at least three-fourths of
both sides, in the debate which followed, the population in the kingdom, a juncafter the remarks which have been made tion with the already existing Seceders,
in the preceding pages. Suffice it to and the formation of a new Church, truly
say, that Dr. Hill's motion was carried, Presbyterian and national, whether estaband that following up the victory, he pro- lished by law or not. Are men of that
posed to omit the clause in the instruc- party prepared to brave a similar peril in
tions annually given to the Commission, the present day? —nay, a peril incalcuwhich required them to apply for redress lably more formidable to the empire at




A. D. 1790.]       HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                         377
large, and fraught with certain and irre- ticism.  The Church of Scotland, whercoverable ruin to themselves and their ever thorough        Moderatism   prevailed,
unscriptural cause, which    would and     seemed spiritually dead, and all living
must utterly perish in the hour of an in- Christians withdrew    from  its polluting
jured nation's strong   consuming ven- touch.      Yet there were many truly pious
geance.*                                  ministers sprinkled over the land, shining
[1785 —89.] The effects of this defeat in their own spheres apart,amid the prewere most disastrous.  The true Presbv- vailing moral darkness, like the few scatterian ministers, seeing all their hopes tered stars that faintly break the gloom
again blasted, and trampled under the of a chill and misty night.*
feet of their triumphant antagonist, sunk    Although the sagacious opposition of
into a state of comparatively torpid dis- Dr. Robertson, and the intimated danger
couragement, and ceased to strive against to their pecuniary interests, had deterred
what now seemed to bear the aspect of the extreme Moderates from        openly exstern invincible necessity.  On the other pressing their desire to be released from
hand, the Moderate party assumed once the necessity of subscribing the C. nfesmore the haughty port of uncontrolled     sion of Faith, yet the intention was by no
dominion, enforcing the law of patronage means abandoned; only it was judged
with steadyand immitigable rigor.   The   expedient to bring in the change graoppressed and insulted people not only    dually, by a series of precedents.  In the
ceased to expect redress, they ceased even  year 1789, the presbytery of Arbroath
to ask it.  They felt that opposition to presumed to ordain Mr. George Gleig to
patronage was of no avail. Be the pre- be minister in the church of that burgh,
sentee what he might, -     a heretic, a without requiring him to sign either the
grossly immoral person, miserably defi- Confession of Faith or Formula.t      This
cient in learning, or destitute of the neces- strange and daring conduct was brought
sary mental abilities and moral qualifica- before the Assembly; and although it
tions,-if he had obtained a presentation, deserved a very high censure, the Assemall other objections were disregarded, and bly deemed   it expedient to    exercise
he was made the "stipend-lifter" in the leniency in the first offence of the kind.
parish.  But he could not be made the Mr. Gleig was allowed to retain the
pastor of the people.   They looked on    church, upon signing the Confession of
indignantly and mournfully, till the dese- Faith in presence of the Assembly; and
crating deed was done; then withdrew, the presbytery was rebuked at the bar,
built a meeting-house, and chose a pastor and admonished to be more careful for
for themselves.  In this manner the most the future, on pain of a higher censure.
religious part of the community was This decided expression of the mind of
driven out of the Church, and those that the Church, though accompanying a very
remained sunk into a state of careless- lenient censure, had the effect of preventness, till they ceased to feel and to regret ing that or any other presbytery from  a
their own calamitous condition.     The   repetition of the offence.
rising generation grew up accustomed to      [1790.] Mention has been already made
such a state of matters, regardless, corn- of the strong tendency to Socinianism
paratively, of the sacredness of that day  prevalent in many districts of the country
which God hallowed to himself, neglect- where Moderatism      chiefly reigned, and
ful of public worship, and utterly destitute particularly in  the west of Scot-land.
of personal religion, which too often the During above ten years the west country
example, and even the language, of their was fiercely agitated with polemical conhalf-infidel ministers taught them to des- troversy between these Socinians and
pise and deride as hypocrisy and fana- their sounder brethren.       The Socinian'It may be noted, as proving the consistency of Mod  party were termed New Light men, and
eratism in its unconstitutional career, that Dr. Cook
goes even beyond Dr. Hill, and defends absolute and  Such men as Dr. Erskine, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Davidson,
unlimited patronage. "The idea of a discretionary Dr. Kemp, Dr. Balfour of Glasgow, Mr. Freebairn of
power to set aside a presentation, in particular cases, Dunbarton, Dr BryceJohnson of Holywood. his nephew
is decidedly rejected by the Moderate party." The of Crossmichael, Nisbet of Montrose, Mitchell of Kem"want of a suflicient call is no ground of rejection." nay. and many others who might be named, iemaining
" The law of patronage admits of no limitation but the within the pale of the Church, kept her alive, during
defined qualifications of a presentee not existing in a this long and dreary period; and she perished not, for
particular individual." (Cook's Life of Hill, pp. 161, a blessing was in her.
162.)                                        t Acts of Assembly, year 1789; Scots Magazine
48




378              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X,
their opponents were called the defenders protracted litigation before the subordinate
of the Old Light. In this controversy, as church judicatories followed.  But at last
was to be expected, every person of irre- the matter came before the synod of Glasligious and immoral character espoused gow and Ayr, and assumed an aspect so
the cause of the New Light or Socinian serious, that he and his friends considered
party; and what they wanted in argu- it expedient for him to evade the danger
ment they endeavoured to supply by the of deposition, by offering to explain his
employment of ridicule, slander, and pro- meaning, acknowledge his error in what
fane mockery of their antagonists.  In could not be explained away, and supplian evil hour for his country and himself, cate forgiveness.  There were too many
the New Light party induced Robert in the synod scarcely less heretical than
Burns to join them, and to prostitute his he, for it to pursue a more faithful course.
high poetical genius in a cause so worth- His explanation and apology, though
less as the defence of such unprincipled very lame and impotent indeed, were susand depraved men,-nay, initiated him tained as satisfactory. The Synod pubin depths of iniquity to which till then he lished an account of their proceedings in
had been a stranger,-nay, still more the case; the condemned book sunk into
fearful,-destroyed what may be termed that oblivion  which   was its natural
the natural devotional tendency of the destiny; and the worthless man was perpoetical temperament, and impelled him  mitted to return to the perishing flock
to aim the shafts of his satire against the whom he could not lead to Christ, as he
most sacred rites of the Church and the himself knew not the way.*
essential truths of the everlasting gospel.  [1791-96.] It is not necessary, nor even
The future dark career and melancholy proper in a work devoted to ecclesiastical
end of this unhappy son of genius is matters, to do more than glance at those
mainly to be ascribed to the fatal taint great political movements which agitate
which his mind received from his inter- and mould the structure of society,-especourse with the Moderate, Socinian, New  cially movements so vast as to shake the
Light ministers of Ayrshire and their whole of Europe, and so recent that their
adherents.  These guilty men have been vibrations have not yet settled into repose.
already named; and their misled victim's For this reason we shall merely allude to
poems will, when rightly understood, in- that terrific event the French Revolution,
flict upon them the retributive justice of which was on the eve of bursting forth in
branding their unhonoured memory with  1790, and which for several successive
the impress of perpetual infamy.*      years startled and appalled the world, by
At length Dr. M'Gill of Ayr had the the sudden changes of aspect, each more
temerity to publish a work entitled, " A  hideous and wild than the last, which it
Practical Essay on the Death of Jesus assumed, the fierce infidelity which it
Christ," in which the most glaring Soci- avowed, and the scenes of atrocious carnianism  was openly taught and main- nage which marked its dreadful progress.
tained.  This could not be overlooked. Even the most unreflecting were cornA prosecution was instituted against the pelted to perceive what man is when withauthor of a work so manifestly heretical. out religion,-how fearful a thing the deHis friends, cherishing, many of them, praved, deceitful, and desperately wicked
the same sentiments, but not exposed to human heart can be, when left to fol
equal danger, because they had not given low its native tendency, without God, and
their opinions to the public in any palpa- without hope in the world. The moralist
ble form, made every exertion in their recoiled in horror; the tongue of the phi
power to shelter him  from justice.  A  losophical divine clave to the roof of his
mouth; but the evangelical preacher of
It can be proved beyond the power of doubt, by the gospel rushed forward, and took his
living and unimpeachable testimony, that Burns him- 
sell; within the last fortnight of his life, expressed the stand betwixt the living and the dead. A
ueepest remorse for what these men had led him to mighty  revival of genuine  spiritual
write, and an anxious wish that he might live a little
longer, to make some attempt to repair the injury he Christianity took place all over Britain,
had done. Anti Gilbert Burns, in his latter years, re- and great  o were made  the
peatedly declared, that the New Light ministers were   exertions      by the
the chief subverters of all regard for religion in his
brother's mind, and that he himself had not escaped' Proceedings of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr,
unwounded, and long retainer' he aching scar.  April, 1790.




A. D. 1796.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   379
friends of religious truth to communicate general collection throughout the Church,
to all around therp the knowledge of the to aid the several societies for propagating
gospel of peace and holiness. Numerous the gospel among the heathen nations."
religious societies sprung almost simulta- In this manner the great object of the
neously into being, and reviving Chris- Church general of Christ was brought
tianity began to put forth vital and expan- before the notice of the Church of Scotsive energies, which had lain dormant land, assembled in its supreme court;
since the Reformation. With returning and a fair and complete opportunity was
spiritual life returned that spiritual intelli- given to both parties, into which that
gence which enables a man to know for court is divided, to emit a public demonwhat object spiritual life is given. The stration and testimony how much, or how
Christian community was startled and little, of the true spirit of Christianity they
alarmed at perceiving, that for centuries respectively possessed.'t had neglected to attempt the discharge  This most important discussion began
of that very duty, the accomplishment of with a piece of very disingenuous policy
which is the chief end of the Christian on the part of the Moderates, who conChurch Universal. It had neglected the trived to have both the overtures consirisen Redeemer's imperative command, dered in one discussion.  Dr. Hill had
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the managed to exclude from the Fife overgospel to every creature under heaven." ture the specific approbation of missionary
Immediately the idea of instituting Chris- exertions which it at first contained, leavtian missions, for the purpose of fulfilling ing in it nothing more than a vague exthe Saviour's injunction, extending his pression of the propriety that the Church
kingdom, and promoting the salvation of of Scotland should in some way or other
perishing souls, became a leading impulse contribute to the diffusion of the gospel
intheheartandsoulofeverytrulyspiritual- over the world, which any Moderate
ly-minded Christian, whether he belonged could complacently affirm, and remain
to a Dissenting, Seceding, or Established inactive, as pledged to no specific object.
Christian Church. And in the warm    On the other hand, the Moray overture
fervour of renewed Christian life and love, recommended a general collection, against
many of the distinctions which had kept which plausible objections might be urged,
men asunder like brazen walls, melted on the ground of this having a tendency
like wax in the fire, and free scope was to diminish the resources of the session
readily given to an amount of Christian for the support of the poor. The Evanintercourse which had for ages been un- gelical party wished the overtures to be
known.                               considered separately, in the hope of carIn Scotland the reviving power of this rying the general proposition in behalf.truly Christian  spirit was early and of the missionary enterprise, even though
strongly felt. A missionary society was the proposed method of promoting it
formed in Glasgow, and another in Edin- might be rejected. Moderate tactics preburgh, which held its first meeting in vailed, and the discussion was made to inMarch, 1796, the venerable Dr. Erskine elude both overtures. The debate which
acting as its president.  Circular letters ensued exhibited the character of Mowere sent to every part of the country, ex- deratism in a manner which cannot be
plaining and advocating the object for the misunderstood. One of the leading speakpromotion of which this central mission- ers on the Moderate side, Mr. George
ary society was formed. These circulars Hamilton, minister of Gladsmuir, began
gave rise to much discussion throughout by some general admissions of the prothe Church; and the synods of Fife and priety of diffusing the gospel. "To difMoray transmitted overtures to the Gen. fuse," said he, "among mankind the
eral Assembly, the general tenor of knowledge of a religion which we profess
which was, that the General Assembly to believe and to revere, is doubtless a
should "take into consideration by what good and important work; as to pray for
means the Church of Scotland might its diffusion, and to expect it, is taught us
most effectually contribute to the diffusion in the sacred volume of Scripture."-" To
of the gospel over the world;" and that spread abroad the knowledge of the gosu an act might be passed recommending a pel among barbarous and heathen nations,




383            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLANB.              [CHAP. X
seems to be highly preposterous, in as far it the worst time."  H  therefore seas it anticipates, nay it even reverses, the conded Mr. Hamilton's motion, " that the
order of nature. Men must be polished overtures be immediately dismissed."
and refined in their manners before they  Dr. Hill made a cautious, plausible
can be properly enlightened in religious speech, evading the main topic, animadtruths. Philosophy and learning must, verting sharply on the peculiarities of
in the nature of things take the prece- missionary societies, and concluding with
dence."  Then followed a glowing eulo- a more guarded motion, admitting gegium upon the "simple virtues" of the nerally the propriety of aiding in the pro"untutored Indian."  " But go,-engraft pagation of the gospel —disapproving of
on his simple manners the customs, re- collections-recommending  the promofinements, and, may I not add, some of tion of Christianity at home-praying for
the vices, of civilized society, and the the fulfilment of prophecy, and resolving
influence of that religion which you give to embrace any future opportunity of conas a compensation for the disadvantages tributing to the propagation of the gospel.
attending such a communication will not David Boyle, Esq., advocate, induloged in
refine his morals nor ensure his happi- a furious philippic against missionary soness."-" When they shall be told that cieties, as all of a political character, and
man is saved not by good works. but by dangerous to the peace of the community.
faith, what will be the consequence? We Finally, the motions of Mr. Hamilton and
have too much experience of the difficulty Dr. Hill were combined, and carried by
of guarding our own people against the a majority of fourteen, the vote being
most deplorable misapplication of this fifty-eightto forty-four.*  So well satisfied
principle, to entertain a rational doubt, were the Moderates with the conduct of
that the wild inhabitants of uncivilized re- Mr. Hamilton, and with his brilliant oragions would use it as a handle for the tory, that they soon afterwards honoured
most flagrant violation of justice and him with the title of doctor in divinity,
morality."-" But even suppose such a and elevated him to the moderator's chair,
nation [one already civilized,] could be as a reward for his anti-missionary exerfound, I should still have weighty objec- tions
tions against sending missionaries thither  Such was the obedience rendered by
Whv should we scatter our forces and Moderatism  to the risen Redeemer's
spend our strength in foreign service, direct command, Go ye and make disciwhen our utmost vigilance, our unbroken ples of all nations,-preach the gospel to
strength is required at home?  While every creature under heaven;" and thus
there remains at home a single individual did it prove itself to be, as a system, essenwithout the means of religious knowledge, tially anti-christian. This may seem a
to propagate it abroad would be improper harsh saying, and it is with pain and sorand absurd."  And at length directing row that it is said  But attachment to
his attention to the idea of collections for genuine and vital Christianity requires its
the aid of missions, he exclaimed-" For dead counterfeit to be detected and desuch improper conduct censure is too nounced; the love of country and of mansmall a mark of disapprobation; it would, kind demands, that whatever obstructs
t doubt not, be a legal subject of penal the true welfare of Britian and the world
prosecution."-" Upon the whole, while should be pointed out and removed; and
we pray for the propagation of the gospel, true compassion for erring fellow-creaand patiently await its period, let us unite tures, especially for erring Christian
in resolutely rejecting these overtures." brethren, forbids the use of injudicious
Dr. Carlyle of Inveresk, who had been and criminal tenderness of language in
quite ready to spend time and money in the statement of their grievous errors,
theatrical amusements, rose and said-  which might soothe an uneradicated evil,
I have, on various occasions, during a and leave a deadly hurt unprobed, unperiod of almost half a century, had the healed, deeply and silently festering to
honor of being a member of the General death.
Assembly, yet this is the first time I re-  [1797.] While religious and moral
member to have ever heard such a propo- desolation overspread the districts of the
sal made, and I cannot help also thinking' See an account of the Debate published in 1796.




A. D. 1797.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     381
country where Moderatism chiefly pre- received in 1796, approved of, and transvailed, and an alarming increase of vice, mitted to the presbyteries, according to
immorality, crime, and political discon- the Barrier Act, previous to its being
tent, exhibited the pernicious results of made a standing law of the Church. In
that dead form of worldly religion, there 1797, it came before the Assembly, when
were other parts of the kingdom which it appeared that thirty-four presbyteries
still enjoyed the priceless blessing of an disapproved of the overture, and only
evangelical ministry, and where living thirty approved; consequently, according
Christianity bore its natural fruits, both to the constitutional laws of the Church,
in the earnestness with which the people it was rejected.*  Yet the Moderates,
attended upon the ministrations of their making a desperate effort in the Assemfaithful pastors, and in the anxiety which bly, passed the actually rejected overture
the increasing population of such districts into an interim act, and re-transmitted it
showed to obtain additional means of re- again to the presbyteries, in which, by
ligious instruction, adequate to the wants dexterous management, they succeeded
of their increasing numbers. Overtures in procuring a majority to approve, so
were sent to the General Assembly, from  that the Moderate overture finally passed
several presbyteries, for permission to into a law in the year 1798.
erect what were termed chapels of ease  The chief point in this act of Assembly,
in populous parishes, where additional on account of which the Evangelical paraccommodation was wanted beyond what ty opposed it, is the clause which proposes,
he parish church could afford, and where that when a petition for a chapel of ease
also the need of an additional pastor was is laid before any presbytery, they "shall
equally manifest. It may be easily sup- not pronounce any final judgment on the
posed that no such requests came from  petition, till they shall have received the
the parishes where there had been violent special directions of the Assembly thereand intrusive settlements; for in such on." The object of this was to put it in
cases, the people seceded from the Na-the power of the General Assembly,
tional Church, and built'churches of their where the Moderates could secure a maown. But wherever there were faithful jority, to prevent the erection of a chapel
and evangelical ministers, the people in any dangerous place, where Evangelmanifested no desire to quit the Church ism was already strong, and in general to
of their fathers; but when the provided discourage the erection of chapels. And
means were not sufficient, they were in order to accomplish this so desirable
willing to build a new church in the ne- an object, as they viewed it, they did not
cessitous locality, and remain within the hesitate to deprive presbyteries of their
pale of the national establishment, pro- constitutional right to judge in the first
vided they could obtain the sanction of instance of every ecclesiastical matter
the General Assembly to such a mea- within their bounds, subject only to the
sure.  It might be thought that there review of the superior church courts by
could be no possible objection to this. appeal.  Against this glaringly unconstiNot so thought the sagacious Moderates. tutional procedure, as well as against the
They perceived clearly, that in general object which it was intended to. effect, the
these chapels of ease would be the resorts Evangelical and  constitutional party
and the nurseries of evangelism; and as strove earnestly but unsuccessfully.  Dr.
they wished the whole kingdom to be Hunter, professor of theology in Edinbrought as speedily as possible into the burgh. Dr. Bryce Johnston of Holywood
same state of lethargic indifference as and Sir Henry Moncreiff, distinguished
that in which they were themselves con- themselves in this controversy on the
tentedly slumbering, they discountenanced Evangelical side.t  This conduct of the
all such proposals. After the Assembly Moderate party furnishes another clear
had been repeatedly addressed on the sub- proof of the equally unchristian and unject, and it had become no longer possible constitutional character of their princito evade it, a committee was appointed in'Reasons of Dissent.
1795 to inquire into the matter, and re-  Remarks on: paper entitled "Heads of an Argu*port to next Assembly.  The report was ment," &c. by Sir Henry Moncrieff; Reasons of Disport to next Assembly. The report was dent.




382                HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     [CHAP. X.
pies and their whole system.   So recent- when expressing his opinion of the Modly as the preceding year they had declared  erate party and their adherents.*
it'" improper and absurd to propagate the    The Moderate party were extremely
gospel abroad, while there remained a displeased that Rowland Hill had been
single individual at home without the permitted to preach in several churches
means of religious knowledge."       And of the Establishment, and felt keenly
now they did their utmost to prevent the galled by his pointed and severe animadpeople from procuring the means of reli- versions upon their principles and congious instruction to themselves, and at duct.     And as it was known that he contheir own expense, thereby, so far as they  templated an early repetition of this visit,
were able, inflicting a deadly paralysis they determined to prevent the possibility
upon the progress of Christianity both at that either he or any other evangelical
home and abroad; violating, too, the minister of any other Church should be
constitution of the Presbyterian Church, again permitted to preach within the pale
that they might accomplish their purpose. of the Establishment.     An act was ac[1798-99.] Little was now wanting to cordingly passed by the General Assemcomplete the full developement of Mode- bly in 1799, declaring that all licences
ratism, and that little was not long in be. granted  to probationers, " without the
ing supplied.   It had already done its ut- bounds of this Church," are invalid, and
most in driving the gospel out of its own that presentations given to such persons
circle, denying it equally to the heathen  must be refused.   The ostensible reason
abroad and to the people at home: it had for this part of the enactment was, to prenow   nothing to do but to put an end to vent incompetent persons from resorting
the Christian communion of all true be- to England or Ireland to obtain a license,
lievers, so far as its power could do so. by means of which they might be introThe occasion of proceeding to this last duced to churches without due qualificaact of degeneracy was furnished by the tion.      It had the effect, however, of prelate  celebrated  Rowland    Hill.   This venting any mai from      being appointed
somewhat eccentric man, but most faith- to a church in Scotland if he had not
ful and indefatigable servant of the Lord, been licensed by a Scottish presbytery,
came to Scotland about the end of July
1798, and immediately began to preach,        "The dispensation of mercy to fallen man entirely
in churches when permitted, and in the -by Jesus Christ is not the subject preached by the main c wje,  ority; but with some, a mangled gospel, law and gos.
open air when he could not obtain admis- pel wretchedly spliced together; with others, a mere
n to a place of worship.     Edinburgh    hungry system of bare-weight morality; and with a
sion to a place of worship.   Eldinburgh third, what is worse still, a deliberate attack on all the
was too strongly garrisoned by Moderate truths they have engaged to uphold. The few, in
w.as. too.rg.rsn   by Mode comparison, orthodox among them are stigmatized by
divines for him to obtain access to the pul- the nickname of the wild,while the fashionable divines
npits in thn-at city; b*ut hpe npreached on the on the other side of the question compliment thempits in that city; but he preached on the selves with the appellation of the Moderate. This epiCalton Hill to great multitudes of atten- thet naturally reminds us of another,'lukewarmn,
tive he. At1 Glsgw   Pily and      neither cold nor hot.' In short, it is as with all who
tive hearers.  At Glasgow, Paisley, and adopt the present half-way infidel system of the day,
other places in the west of Scotland he so, report says, it is with them; the cause of morality
declines with the cause of the gospel; and I fear the
was freely admitted to preach in the Scots, by far thebest educated and best behaved people
in the British dominions, will soon be no better than
churches of the Establishment.   In seve- their neighbours. Like their ministers, they will all
ral other parts of Scotland he met with become Moderates; first, they will be Moderates in religion; they will have Moderate notions of Jesus Christ
similar Christian brotherhood; and some and the gospel of salvation, for we cannot expect they
of the Seceders allowed him to preach      wil be better than their teachers; they will next be
contented with a Moderate share of love to God, of
in their meeting-houses, while others re. prayer, and of repentance; they will be more Moderate
in regard to the use of their Bibles, and be more Modfused.  After his return to England, he erate intheir zealin teaching their children the Assem.
published an account of his Scottish tour  bly's Catechism.; and this will lead them to be.Mderates in morality. In point of chastity, sobriety, hon.
in which he indulged freely in remarks esty, &c., they will soon become Moderate, and be very
\and animmarldversions upoy~n the state o^f re- anxious to grow in this famous fashionable moderation,
and animadversions upon the state f re- till they become immoderately wicked; unless, through
ligion in Scotland.   There were several Divine mercy, they hear a little more of the *grace of
1 mistakes                              God that bringeth salvation,' the only doctrine that
mistakes,  much     strong  sense, great' teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and
warmth and liberality of Christian feel- to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world:.' "-(Journal through the North of England, and
ing, and a considerable degree of pun- parts of Scotland, with Remarks on the Present State
gent severity in his remarks, especially of thehr              of Scotland Hll.  By Rowland Hill. Pp. 111, 112.)




A. D. 1799.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   383
whatever might be his qualifications; sion scheme" of King William. The
and it was certainly indicative of a nar- perfidious act of 1712, reimposing pa
row and illiberal spirit. But the'conclud- tronage, gave it growth and fostered it ining part of the act is that which most de- to strength.  Early in its progress it
serves attention.  It prohibited ministers showed itself favourable to unsoundness
of the Establishment "from employing of doctrine and laxity of discipline, and
to preach, upon any occasion, or to dis- strongly opposed to the rigkts and privipense any of the ordinances of the gos- leges of the Christian people.  Heresy
pel," persons not qualified to accept a pre- was more than tolerated; the doctrines of
sentation; and also, "from holding minis- grace and evangelical truth were conterial communion in any other manner demned; legal preaching was encourwith such persons."*  By this act such aged; and a cold and spiritless morality
men as Rowland Hill and Simeon of was substituted instead of the warm life
Cambridge were expressly aimed at, and of the gospel. Increasing in power, it
excluded from every pulpit in the Estab- gave more open and vigorous exercise to
lished Church of Scotland, not because its malignant nature, by violating the conthey were Episcopalians, but because their stitutional principles of the Presbyterian
doctrine was evangelical; for this act was Church, perpetrating intrusive and violent
moved, carried, and enforced by the settlements, repressing the remonstrances
Moderate party, contrary to the feelings of faithful ministers, driving them out of
and the wishes of their Evangelical op- the Church, protecting its own heterodox
ponents.  It may be mentioned also, that and immoral adherents, courting patrons
by the same Moderate party in the As- and politicians, insulting and deeply
sembly, a pastoral admonition was pre- grieving the religious part of the commupared and sent through the Church, nity, and causing them, even more in
warning against giving countenance to sorrow than in anger, to abandon the bereligious societies, missionary associa- loved National Church of their martyred
tions, itinerant preachers, and Sabbath fathers. Arrived at maturity, it boldly
schools, on the assumption that these were declared its principles to be entirely
conducted by " ignorant persons, altogeth- worldly, and its whole policy to be founded
er unfit for such an important charge,"-  on the maxims of secular society, directly
and " persons notoriously disaffected to contrary to the distinct declarations of the
the civil constitution of the country, and Lord Jesus Christ, and His inspired aposwho kept up a correspondence with other ties. With difficulty was it restrained
societies in the neighborhood."  It need from abandoning the subscription of the
scarcely be said now that these accusa- Confession of Faith, though even worldtions were altogether groundless; and it ly policy could perceive the danger of a
can hardly be supposed that those who deed so glaringly unconstitutional. Aduttered such charges did themselves be- vancing towards the stage of rigidity
lieve them. But it was a convenient which is symptomatic of decline, it promode of fixing the brand of "sedition" hibited the missionary enterprise, and
upon preachers and teachers of Chris- thereby declared to the world that it had
tianity, as was done in the days of the so little of a Christian spirit as not to feel
apostles, and has often since been repeated, itself bound to discharge the great comwhen the enemies of the gospel wished mission given by the risen and ascending
to obtain a plausible pretext for perseout- Saviour to His disciples. Having refused
ing its defenders.                   to aid in propagating the gospel abroad, it
The acts of this Assembly may be re- next exerted itself in checking the extengarded as having completed the develope- sion of Christian instruction at home, by
ment of the system of Moderatism. It the obstructions and difficulties with
had its origin, as a system, in the combi- which it opposed the erection of new
nation which early took place between the churches; and by the act 1799, it declared
indulged ministers and the Prelatic in- against Christian communion with other
cumbents, who were introduced into the Churches, however sound in their docChurch by the pernicious " comprehen- trine and faithful in their ministry. As a
Acts of Assemby,          worldly system it was now complete.
p. 1.799 Cook's                      Vital religion had been driven out of its




384              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. X.
pale, or paralyzed within it. By declar- encrustation of a system unsuited to the
ing against the propagation of the gospel, spirit of the times.  This became appait had almost avowedly thrown off its al- renL early in the century which was on
legiance to Christ.  By prohibiting all the point of commencing, and in which
ministerial communion with other ortho- the contest between the worldly policy of
dox Protestant Christian Churches, it Moderatism and the spirit of evangelical
virtually denied the doctrine of a " Church  Christianity became warm, incessant, and
Universal," rejected the " Communion of intensely determined; every year inSaints," and disclaimed the all-pervading, creasing the strength and brightening
heart-uniting, and love-breathing brother- the hopes of those true friends of conly affection, infused into all true members stitutional, Presbyterian, and Christian
of the household of faith, by the presence principles, who were the genuine repreand energy of the Holy Spirit.   Such sentatives of the Church of Scotland;
did Moderatism prove itself to be, when and weakening both the power and the
it reached its full developement, as a sys- courage of their opponents who soon betem, worldly, despotic, unconstitutional, gan to display, not the calm and haughty
unpresbyterian, unchristian and spiritual- confidence of superior might, but the
ly dead,-the utter negation of every restless and angry energy of danger and
thing free, pure, lofty, and hallowed,-if despair.
indeed, it ought not rather to be said, that  [1800-5.] It is at all times hazardous
its essence was antipathy to every thing to write what may be termed contemposcriptural, holy and divine.*          raneous history; both because the histoBut while Moderatism was thus swath- rian is himself exposed to the bias arising
ing itself up in thick cerements, as if to from personal predilections, and because
indulge in a long and dignified repose, the minds and feelings of the living
like a lifeless yet life-like embalmed generation are too much occupied by
Egyptian monarch in his hieroglyph-en- their own share of the transactions, to
crusted sarcophagus, there was an active permit them  to exercise an impartial
life around it, and even a disturbed vital- judgment either on the events themseives,
ity, within the oppressed heart of its own or on the narrative of the historian. Yet
torpid frame. It has been already stated, in matters of great and sacred principle
that several of the ordinary supporters of it may be possible to state the truth both
the Moderate policy held and taught the fairly and fearlessly, leaving it to future
doctrines of the gospel.  Not only was it times to repel any charge of partiality
necessary to retain these, because without which may be made. It will not be nethem it would not have been possible to cessary, however, to do more than trace
secure majorities in church courts, but it the outlines of the leading facts and prinwas also necessary to conciliate them, by ciples of a period which lies within the
occasionally passing measures contrary memory of men but little past the prime
to the true nature of the Moderate sys- and vigour of their life.
tem.  Thus it was, that at the very time  The first subject which occurred in
When that system had acquired its com- the new century, of sufficient importance
plete developement, it began to exhibit to demand attention, was that of a pluralsymptoms of disorganization, the sure ity of offices in the Church, held by the
harbingers of decay.  But thus it is in same individual.  In the year 1800, Dr.
all things essentially worldly; the point Arnot, professor of divinity in St. Anof full maturity is that where decline drews, was presented to the parish of
and fall begins.  The decline of Mode- Kingsbarns, which is six or seven miles
ratism was hastened also by the quick- distant from the town.  This union of
ened life and energetic movements of so- offices was opposed in the presbytery by
ciety at large, which could no longer Mr. Bell, minister of Crail, but unsuctolerate the sluggish inertness and rigid cessfully.  It was also opposed in the
synod, and came before the Assembly,
It will be perceived that Moderatism is here viewed syn,  cr e  ee te Assembly,
as a system without specific reference to those whowhere it gave rise to one of the most
embraced it, and without meaning to deny that there animated debates that ever occurred in
were amona the Moderates many men, who were better than their system; in the same manner as the sys- that venerable court. In that celebrated
tem of Popery is condemned, without denying the vital discussion, Principal Brown of AberC( ristiamty of many of its members.




A. D. 1805.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 385
deen opposed pluralities in a speech of the pastoral office. The town-council, in
surpassing eloquence and power, before whom the nomination to that chair is
the constitutional principles, high moral vested, were convinced by these argutone, clear strength of argument, and ments, and declared their intention of
elevated Christian faithfulness of which, giving the appointment to him by whom
the firmest Moderate quailed and shrunk the highest testimonials of qualification
in conscious feebleness. But though ma- should be produced. This determination
nifestly defeated in argument, the "pre- rendered it no longer doubtful who
vailing party" could still procure the should be the successful candidate, as
sanction of a majority of votes; and Dr. none of them could at all stand a comArnot was allowed to retain both the pa- parison with Mr. John Leslie in point of
rish and the chair, contrary to the whole scientific genius and acquirements. But
spirit of the Presbyterian constitution, in a Treatise on Heat, which that genand with the certainty that in such a tleman had published a short while becombination of offices the duties of nei- fore, he had thought proper to diverge
ther could be adequately discharged.* into some metaphysical speculations on
Although the Evangelical party failed in the idea of necessary connection between
this constitutional struggle, a deep and cause and effect. This was immediately
lasting impression was made on the mind laid hold of by the Edinburgh doctors,
of the community, and public intelligence and an attempt was made to convict Lesbegan to mark on which side of the lie of advocating principles of an atheisChurch integrity and.faithfulness was tical tendency.  A  controversy of a
chiefly to be found.  The Moderate metaphysico-theological kind arose, in
triumph was equivalent to a defeat; for which the Moderates assailed Mr. Lesall the sophistry which they employed lie's view, and the Evangelicals defendcould not allay the strong feeling of re- ed it, to the astonishment of the literary
pugnance to such unions which had public, who saw in the party which they
been excited, and the country rang with had been accustomed to regard as conthe clear and loud sentence of condemna- sisting of narrow-minded fanatics, the
tion uttered indignantly against such self- most enlightened defenders of true sciinterested conduct.                  ence. The subject came at length beThe celebrated Leslie case, as it has fore the Assembly; and after a long and
been termed, came next, and deepened able debate, this attempt of Moderate inthe impression which that of Dr. Arnot tolerance was defeated by a majority of
had produced. Upon the death of Mr. twelve.*
John Robison, professor of natural phi-  This discussion was of considerable
losophy in Edinburgh, and the promo- general importance, especially in directtion of Mr. Playfair from the mathemat- ing the public mind towards the tendency
ical chair to that which had become of the Moderate system. So long as that
vacant, the Edinburgh ministers deemed was confined to Church politics, compait a convenient opportunity for securing ratively little interest was felt respecting
another plurality, and immediately en- it; and although by one part of that
deavoured to procure the appointment of system plurality of offices had been inDr. Macknight to the chair of mathemat- troduced. so long as that was restricted to
ics. This, however, soon appeared to be the theological professorships, it did not
a matter of more difficult accomplishment. attract much notice. But when it was
Two of the most distinguished professors perceived that the dominant party were
in the university, Dugald Stewart and endeavouring to acquire the possession
Playfair, wrote letters upon the subject to of the chairs devoted to literature, scithe lord provost; in which they proved ence, and philosophy, it was felt that this
that the duties of a professor gave full encroaching spirit must be repelled, lest
employment for the talents and industry the interests of literature and science
of any man, and that a faithful discharge should suffer. The argument against
of them was incompatible with those im- pluralities was not indeed placed on the
portant functions of a different kind strongest ground by the literary part of
which belong to a clergyman holding0 —which belong to a clergyman holdin0-  - Pamphlets on the Leslie Controversy; Assembly
Scots Magazine, year 1801.  Debate; Edinburgh.Review, No. xiii.
49




386             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
the community. They looked to the in- as already stated, the residence of Dr.
jury likely to be sustained by science, if Hill, the avowed leader of the Moderates,
its teachers should be men whose atten- in St. Andrews, which prevented him
tion was distracted by another class of from being generally present in the priduties; but Christian men deplored the vate consultations of the Edinburgh
evil which must be done to religion, if its clergy; and the deeper and sounder
teachers should devote themselves to theology of Dr. Hill himself, which rensecular employments, and neglect the dered it impossible for him to be a thoeternal welfare of those over whose spi- rough Moderate on all points, although
ritual interests they had been appointed he followed the principles of Robertson
to watch. And the idea very readily with regard to Church government.
suggested itself to the minds of reflecting  In the year 1810, Dr. Andrew Thompeople, " Surely these men must enter- son was appointed to one of the Edintain a very low notion of the ministerial burgh churches, and four years afteroffice and its unspeakably important du- wards to St. George's, as minister of
ties, who can so eagerly grasp at another which, this distinguished and remarkable
office, totally different in its nature, to man became fully known to the public.
which if they attend, they must inevita- He was one of those men who stamp the
bly neglect their pastoral charge." Such impress of their own character upon that
opinions  becoming  prevalent, tended of the age in which they live; and his
greatly to weaken Moderatism, by lead- appearance in the Scottish metropolis
ing men to inquire into its real character, must be marked as the commencement
and to contrast it with Evangelism, so of an era in the ecclesiastical history of
long calumniated or despised.         his country.  Soon after his arrival in
[1805-10.] Nothing of peculiar public Edinburgh, the "Christian Instructor"
moment marked the years between 1805 was commenced under his management
and 1810. Perhaps the only thing which as editor; and by its means the thoughts
deserves to be noticed is the internal dis- and reasonings of his powerful mind
organization which began to appear were communicated to the public like
among the Moderate party during that successive shocks of electricity, stirring
period.  The most remarkable instance the heart of the kingdom from its torpid
of it occurred in the different views taken lethargy, and spreading dismay among
by Dr. Hill of St. Andrews, and Drs. his discomfited antagonists. The public
Grieve, Finlayson, ~and others of the mind had indeed been already partially
Edinburgh ministers, in the case of the aroused; and instead of being allowed
Duke of Hamilton against Mri. Scott, to sink back into dull and listless repose,
minister of Strathaven, respecting the the favourable moment was seized, and
claims of the latter for an augmentation. it was urged forward with a steady and
Dr. Hill disapproved of the strong meas- persevering might, which could not long
ures advocated by the Edinburgh minis- be successfully resisted. Every year it
ters, and stated his views to Lord Mel- became more and more a matter of geneville, who entirely agreed with him; but ral conviction that some measure of ecas the Edinburgh clergy had been in the clesiastical reform was become imperahabit of acting like a permanent commit- tively necessary; and as the true princitee for the management of ecclesiastical ples of the Presbyterian Church of Scotaffairs, they were indignant that even land were rescued from the oblivion into
Dr. Hill should have offered an opinion which they had been cast, this conviction
till he had consulted them.*  The high- assumed the form of a full belief, that
minded and honourable conduct of Dr. nothing more was necessary than to reHill prevented this disagreement from  store those principles to their native and
widening to an actual breach; but it put vital operation.
an end to that unanimity by which the   [1811.] By a remarkable coincidence,
course of Moderate policy had been at the very time when Dr. Thomson had
hitherto characterised. It was indeed resolved to employ the mighty power of
itself a consequence of causes previously the press for the purpose of reawakening
in- operation. Of these, the chief were, the slumbering energies of the PresbyteDr. Cook's of Life Hill, pp. 189-207.  rian Church, a potent auxiliary was on




A. D. 1817.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    387
the point of appearing in the field, and jority indicated that such abuses could
engaging in the maintenance of the same not much longer be endured. Next year
great cause.  In November 1811 was the subject was brought before the Aspublished "The Life of John Knox," sembly by an overture from the synod of
by the Rev. Thomas M'Crie. A huge Angus and Mearns; and afte; a long
host of prejudices were at once scattered and full discussion, what is termed a
to the winds, or compelled to retreat to declaratory act was passed, declaring it
the dark lurking-places of ignorance, on to be inconsistent with the constitution
the appearance of this magnificent biog- and the fundamental laws of the Church
raphy. The enemies of the Church of of Scotland for any minister to hold anoScotland found that it was no longer pos- ther office which necessarily required
sible to accuse the great Scottish Re- his absence from his parish, and subjectformer of morose and gloomy bigotry, ed him to an authority that the presbytery
or wild and stern fanaticism, without to which he was a member could not conperiling their own characters, and ex- trol.*  In the Assembly of 1815, an acposing themselves to the charge of igno- tempt was made to alter the judgment of
rance too dark to be enlightened, and the preceding year, on the ground that it
prejudices too dense to be dispelled; was really a new law, and ought to have
while the friends of scriptural truth been subject to the regulations of the
found themselves at once admitted to the Barrier Act.  This was successfully rearmoury of the invincible chiefs of old, sisted; but a great outcry was raised by
fiom which they might obtain weapons the moderate party, who asserted that the
wherewith to resist and quell the adver- Assembly was violating the intrinsic
sary. Nothing could more have borne rights of presbyteries, and insisted that
the aspect of an express arrangement of the recent act should be rescinded, and
Providerce than did the propitious ap- an overture on the subject should be
pearance of this noble work.  Even the transmitted to presbyteries in the usual
leading authorities in the literary world manner. An overture was accordingly
were prompt and loud in their applause; framed by Dr. Hill in 1816, similar to
and the great principles which it con- the recent declaratory act, which, after
tained and enforced wrought their way passing the usual course, was confirmed
into the public mind, convincing, enlight- by the Assembly of 1817, and became
ening, and invigorating thousands, pre- a permanent law on the subject of the
paratory to their coming forward to dis- pluralities, to the extent of putting an
charge their duty in the. sacred contest end to every such union of offices as was
which the true Church of Scotland has incompatible with residence in the parish.
ever waged in defence of civil and reli- This was so far a reforming act, extorted
gious liberty.                       from the Moderate party by the growing
[1813-17.] Another plurality case oc- strength of evangelism, and the increascurred in the year 1813.  Mr. Ferrie, ing intelligence and enlightenment of
professor of civil history in St. Andrews, the age.
was presented to the parish of Kilcon-  But that Moderatism itself was not
quhar, distant twelve miles from the uni- improved, may be very easily shown by
versity seat. The presbytery refused to one or two illustrations. Several instansustain the presentation, unless Mr. Fer- ces occurred about this time of ministers
would assure them that he would resign accused of drunkenness and immorality;
his professorship immediately on being and although these accusations were corsettled in the parish.  To this he would roborated by evidence sufficient to satisfy
not consent, and the matter was carried almost every impartial man, they were
by appeal to the Assembly. After a very explained away into  alleged breaches
long and animated debate, the sentence of decorum," and the culprits allowed to
of the presbytery was reversed.by a ma- pass unpunished.  In another case a
jority of five, in a very full house. Al- minister was accused of criminal intithough the union of offices involving macy with a female servant; the ecclesi
non-residence was thus once more sane- astical courts managed to find the charge
tioned by the strenuous exertions of the not proven, but the civil court found the
Moderates, yet the smallness of the ma-  ~ Acts of Assembly, year 1814; Scots Magazine




388             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. X,
evidence sufficient to entitle the woman the press to be abridged for the accom
to legal support for herself and her in- modation of those who crouched in its
fant, which the minister was obliged to free presence, and shrunk from its indiggive, and still was allowed to remain in nant rebuke.  The Moderate triumph
the spiritual office, which he held but to was a severe defeat  It showed at once
desecrate,                            vindictiveness and impotence, and caused
The year 1815 is marked by one in- the loss of both respect and dread.
cident, apparently slight in itself, but  The great question of pluralities came
fraught with consequences the impor- again before the General Assembly in
tance of which cannot easily be over- the year 1824.  It was caused by the
estimated.  In that year was published appointment of Dr. M/lacfarlan to be Printhe address of Dr. Chalmers to the pa- cipal of the University in Gl'sgow, and
rishioners of Kilmany, when he left that also minister of St. Mungo's in the same
parish on being translated to the Tron city. This was the firstinstance inwhich
Church, Glasgow. There are circum- the propriety of a union of offices in the
stances connected with that event, the same city or parish was made the subject
history of which cannot yet be written. of a debate in the Assembly. It had
But every one who peruses heedfully been strenuously opposed in the presbythat address, will mark the deep tone of tery by Dr. Macgill; but a large majorfervsnt evangelical piety by which it is ity decided in favour of the union when
pervaded; and some of clearer vision the subject came before the supreme
may perceive in it traces of that solemn ecclesiastical court.  It was, however,
and profound emotion which fills the generally believed that a different result
soul that has recently been called out of might be expected, if the question were
darkness into God's marvellous light, tried on its general merits, apart from all
and is still tremulous with the fresh fer- personal considerations, such as arise
Vour of its new-born spiritual life. From  when the interests of individuals are conthat time forward the world was again to cerned. Eighteen overtures on the subsee, as in earlier and better days, how ject were laid on the table of the General
great and lovely a thing is genius of the Assembly in 1825, proving the deep inloftiest order, hallowed by the love of terest with which it was regarded by the
God, and consecrated to His glory.    community at large.  A debate ensued,
[1820-25.] In the year 1820, there oc- remarkable for the accurate research into
curred an instance of the fierce malignity, the constitutional history of the Church
defeating its own purpose in its blind displayed by some, the grave and lofty
vindictiveness, which often characterizes views of the sacredness and importance
the conduct of a falling party.  An over- of ministerial duties exhibited by others,
ture was introduced by Dr. Bryce, regard- and the powerful and thrilling eloquence
ing the sharp and severe animadversions of Chalmers and Thomson.*  But again
on the conduct of the Moderate party, the power of numbers prevailed over the
which frequently appeared in the "Chris- power of learning, reason, genius, and
tian Instructor."  A very animated dis- Christian principle; and a majority of
cussion took place, the galled party rising twenty-six was found to defend the union
into unusual eloquence under the stimu- of professorships with parochial charges
lating influence of the castigation which in the seat of a university.  It deserves
they had often received.  The motion to be remarked, although the observation
was carried by a majority of one, but it may seem to be minute, that the Moderate
gave rise to no ulterior proceedings.* party obtained their general majority by
The voice of an indignant public was means of the elders, there being a positive
heard, too loud to be disregarded by even majority of four ministers against pluralithat party whose characteristic it was to ties. This fact was not unnoticed by the
disregard the public voice.  It might public, who did not fail to mark on which
have been very convenient to hide in im- side of the Church they weie to look for
penetrable darkness those deeds which personal disinterestedness and a high
could not bear the light; but the nation sense of duty in the discharge of their
was not prepared to suffer the liberty of
was not prepared to suffer the liberty of  Debates on the Plurality Queston, years 1825 and'Christian Instructor.     1826.




A. D. 1830.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    389
sacred functions.  Nor will it be thought ratism as a system; and Dr. Hardy and
strange, that the elders should have so Dr. Hill have been mentioned as having
generally voted on the Moderate side, been greatly instrumental in promoting
when it is remembered how, and for what this better spirit among their party.  To
purpose, that party had been in the habit their respected names must be added those
of making Assembly elders.  The spirit of Dr. William Ritchie, Dr. Nicoll, and
of the evangelical and reforming party especially Dr. Inglis, all of whom taught
was not, however, broken by this defeat. evangelical doctrine, although they supSixteen overtures on the subject brought ported the general course of Moderate
it again before the Assembly of 1826, church policy.  To Dr. Inglis is especial
and another able and brilliant debate took honour due, as the man by whom was
place. But a strong exertion had been first proposed, matured, and carried into
made by the Moderate party, their full effect, that measure on which so much of
strength was mustered, and they obtained the Divine blessing has conspicuously
a majority of fifty-four.  This was the rested, the Church of Scotland's Mission
last debate on the subject. A royal corn- to India. And it is with peculiar delight
mission for visiting the universities of that this brief tribute of respect and graScotland having been appointed, the two titude is paid to the memory of one who
parties in the Church agreed to suspend was distinguished by remarkable clearthe desperate struggle. and to await the ness and soundness ofjudgment, candour,
decision of the commission.  To this the sincerity, and frankness of mind, and a
Evangelical party might well consent; calm  personal piety, deepening as he
for public opinion had already expressed grew near the close of his life, and renitsl If decisively against such a union of dering his last years both the loveliest and
offices as rendered it absolutely impossi- the best.*  So early as the year 1818,
ble for the person who held them to dis- the attention of Dr. Inglis had been dicharge adequately the important duties of rected to the subject of missions, and his
both. The opinion of the royal commis- enlightened mind speedily detected the
sion was at length given, and almost in unchristian character of the opinions
the very terms of the motions which the promulgated respecting it by the ModerEvangelical patty had so long and strenu- ate leaders of 1796. In 1824 he brought
ousty advocated in the Assembly.*  Thus the matter publicly before the Assembly,
one fundamental principle of the Church and the weight of his character, and the
of Scotland was again revived and en- position which he occupied, at once
formed, greatly to the discomfiture and secured for it a degree of attention from
dismay of t.it unconstitutional party both sides of the Church, which it could
which had so long held a usurped do- not otherwise have easily obtained. There
mimnon over the Church, and with the is no reason to doubt, that if it had been
usual policy of usurpers, had striven to brought forward by one of the Evangelimisinterpret those laws which could not cal side, it would have met immediate and
be concealed, and to conceal those that strong opposition; but the wisdom  of
could not be misinterpreted.  And as Providence was clearly shown in prepareach successive great principle  was ing a leader of the Moderate party to be
brought anew to light by the true and the first advocate of a measure of such a
fearless defenders of Scotland's ancient Christian character, and respecting which
Church, a fresh vitality was pouied into it was so exceedingly desirable that there
the nation's heart. a new intelligence should be no dissentions in a Christian
enlightened the public mind, and like an Church. In 1825, a committee was apiceberg pierced by the sunbeams and pointed to consider and report on the subwasted by the rush of living waters, the ject; and in 1826, a " Pastoral Address
cold fabric of Moderatism swayed heavily, to the People of Scotland," from the pen
and tottered to its fall.             of Dr. Inglis, appeared, and tended pow.
[1826-30.] It has been already stated,  It deserves to be stated to the honour of Dr. Inglis,
that the infusion of evangelical principles that in the case of North Leith he declared, that, acinto even the Moderate party tended cording to the Constitution of the Church, ordination
into even the Moderate party tended to the pastoral office proceeded upon the Call alone,
greatly to cause the overthrow of Mode- and that the presentation of a patron had no further effect than securing a legal right to the fruits of the bene.
Report of the Royal Commissiop.  fice.




390             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
erfully to direct the attention of the king- strated, but without effect. A controversy
dom to tne sacred duty of propagating the arose on the subject, which soon became
gospel among the heathen, and especially in reality a contest between expediency
in India.  Collections were made and and principle.  In this controversy Dr.
subscriptions obtained, till a sufficient fund Andrew Thomson stood forth the fearless
was raised to enable the committee to pro- and mighty champion of sacred truth, not
ceed with their holy enterprise; and at quite alone, but first without a second,
length, in 1829, Dr. Duff, the first mis- discomfiting every antagonist that dared
sionary ever sent forth by any national the encounter. His exertions were perProtestant Church, in its corporate char-. fectly marvellous for several successive
acter, left his native land, commissioned years; and were a fair estimate made,
by the Presbyterian Church of Scotland they would prove to be equal, if not suto convey to India the light of gospel perior, to those made by any man in any
truth, and to offer for her acceptance the department of mental labour within as
simple, pure, efficient, and most truly short a time.  It cannot be doubted that
apostolic form of Christianity, which is his excessive labours in that great cause
the glory and the strength of the Pres- hastened him, prematurely for his country
byterian Church.*  It is but an act of and the Church, in the fifty-second year
justice to the memory of a great and far- of his age, to the abodes of everlasting rest
seeing man to state, that to a suggestion and peace. The public mind was during
made by Dr. M'Crie, at a public meeting the same period powerfully directed toheld in Edinburgh in the year 1813, and wards the abolition of slavery in the West
taken up and prosecuted with character- India Islands; and in this truly Christian
istic energy by Sir Henry Moncreiff, was object Dr. Thompson earned peculiar disthe Church of Scotland indebted for a tinction, especially by one speech in which
share of legal countenance and support his eloquence rose to a pitch of grandeur
in India, without which she could not and sublimity such as has been rarely
have s nt forth her celebrated India Mis- equalled. Another event of this singusion, in her corporate character as a Na- larly energetic time, fertile in producing
tional Church.t                       the elements both of evil and of good,
Several events of great importance, must also be mentioned.  In the year
partly in a religious and partly in a na- 1829, a bill passed the British legislational point of view, occurred during this ture, and received the ratification of the
period, and would deserve to be fully sovereign, removing all the civil disabili.
stated, were they not so recent that they ties to which the adherents of the Church
must still be fiesh in the recollection of of Rome had been subjected, and renderthe public.  Of these, the first in point ing them  eligible to any office of the
of time was the Apocrypha Controversy, State, with the exceptions only of the
which arose in consequence of the Bri- Lord Chancellorship and the Crown ittish and Foreign Bible Society having self. Into any discussion respecting the
been led to violate one of its fundamental merits or demerits of this measure it is
conditions, the circulation of the pure scarcely our province, and not our preBible, without note or comment.  The sent intention, to enter, both because it
directors, induced by considerations of was the act of the State, not of the Church,
expediency, consented to permit the Apo- and because its full effects upon the charcrypha to be inserted in the Bible, pre- acter and prospects of the nation have not
faces to be prefixed, and other violations yet been developed, although they have
of the fundamental condition to be com- assumed an ominous aspect.
mitted, in the hope that Romanists and  [1831.] The year 1831 may be reothers might accept the Bible in that garded as the commencement of a great
vitiated state, who would have rejected it era, both in the ecclesiastical and in the
in its purity.t  Against this sinful corn- civil history of the empire. To the civil
promise the Edinburgh committee remon- history, we make no further allusion than
merely to state, that the passing of the
si ons, ppD. 476 D ufon Idia and India mis- Reform Bill gave an impulse to the pubt Life of Dr. M'Crie, pp. 201-204.  lie mind, which sent it rushing with irrct See pamphlets on the Apocrypha Controversy; and  i  ever y       th
Christian Instructor.                 sistible force into every channel of thought




A. D. 1831.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    391
and mental enterprise.  From that time terest, its demands became too loud and
it was manifest, that no public institution, urgent to be any longer unheard or discivil or sacred, could be long in a state of regarded.  A few preliminary remarks
safety, which could not stand the most are necessary to render this subject of
searching scrutiny, and which did not controversy at once simple and intelpossess in itself a vital principle, that ligible.
could give it spontaneous movement and  It has not been considered necessary to
ready adaptation to the spirit of the age. advert particularly to the history of the
In what manner this was shown in poli- Secession Church of Scotland subsequent
tical matters, let the civil historian record: to the formation of that new body which
our own province demands our undivided assumed the name of the Relief. A very
attention.                            brief statement of a few leading topics
On the 9th of February 1831, Dr. must now be given, as necessary to a clear
Andrew Thompson was suddenly called view of the subject. In 1747, the Secesto rest from his mighty toils; and the sion was divided into two parties, by a
heart of Scotland was stunned with her controversy about the oath taken by burgreat and unexpected loss. The universal gesses; which two parties were generally
sorrow of the nation bore testimony to known by the names of Burghers and
his great and varied excellencies: the Antiburghers.*  Both parties continued
impress of his character and opinions to adhere to the Act and Testimony of the
stamped on society is his memorial.  first Seceders, though divided into two
The Assembly of that year had to dis- distinct synods; and as the dominant
charge the painful duty of deposing Mr. Moderate party in the National Church
Campbell, minister of the parish of Row, persevered in that course of defection in
on account of his holding and teaching doctrine, government, and discipline,
the heretical doctrine of universal redemp- which had caused the Secession, this
tion, together with several other erro- division, instead of weakening the Seceneous tenets.  The same Assembly de- ders, actually contributed to weaken the
prived Mr. M'Lean of his license as a Church, in consequence of the new opprobationer, because he publicly avowed portunities afforded and inducements held
and preached doctrines respecting the forth to draw men of all shades of opinion
human nature of the Divine Redeemer, from the communion of a Church, whose
similar to those held bv the lamented leaders seemed to take a peculiar pleasure
Edward Irving. As these heretical opin- in despising and insulting the people.
ions did not long continue to spread in This conduct of the Moderate party
the Church, and have since sunk into caused both synods of the already escomparative oblivion, it does not seem  tranged and alienated Secession to begin
either necessary or desirable to offer any to question whether the tyranny and corfurther remarks concerning them, except ruption of the Church might not be
to state, that while these men diverged directly ascribed to her connection with
unhappily into deplorable errors, in con- the State, which seemed to lead to the
sequence of their fervent but ill-regulated infusion of a baneful secularizing in
zeal, their personal characters were un- fluence, and might be thought to give
impeachable, their piety was warm and undue power to the civil magistrate in
earnest, and they were generally regarded religious matters. But as the constitution
with equal pity and esteem.           of the Church, to which by their Act and
The attention of the public mind began Testimony they still adhered, maintained
about this time to be strongly directed to not only the lawfulness of religious eswhat has been termed the Voluntary con- tablishments, but also the duty of the civil
troversy.  The subject had indeed been magistrate to establish a national religious
so far silently working its way into the institution, they.egan, almost at the
minds of many luring a period'of more same time in each synod; to give a qualithan thirty years; but it had hitherto fled assent to their own standards, and to
attracted little attention, and it was only subscribe them with evasive explanations,
now that, under the strong impulse given which was soon' felt to be equally danto every topic of real or speculative in-         Gib's Display, vol. ii.




392             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. X
gerous and irksome, not to say inconsis- scarcely have been contemplated by those
tent with honest integrity of heart and who proposed it. The minds of those
mind.                                who were engaged     in this attempt
This change of sentiment made its diverged further and further from their
first appearance in a pamphlet, published original position, as they proceeded in
by a member of the Burgher Synod about their task; and the result was, the prothe year 1780; and having gradually duction of a new work, which was desiggained ground in that body, it was nated, " The Narrative and Testimony."
brought before them  publicly at their This was, however, the work of years,
synodical meeting in May 1795, in a and was not finally adopted, so as to supetition that acknowledged the change, persede the original Testimony, till the
and requested that the language of the year 1804, although the outline of the
Confession of Faith and Formula might work received thesanctionofthe Synod,in
be so far altered as to be rendered more the form of an overture, in the year 1793.
consistent with the opinions entertained An act of Synod was passed in 1796, the
by a large proportion of the members. tenor of which indicated darkly that the
A strong opposition was made to this Secession Church was on the point of
proposal by several of the most respecta- abandoning the principles of the Church
ble ministers, among whom Mr. Willis of Scotland, and consequently of their
of Greenock distinguished himself by the own founders, who seceded expressly for
prominent and decided part which he the purpose of the more strenuously astook in defence of the fundamental prin- serting those principles. Some of the
ciples which all had subscribed. The ablest and best ministers of the Secession
innovation, however, went on; a modified perceived the danger of these proceedformula was proposed, and, after some ings, and strove earnestly to stem the tide
delay, ratified by the Synod, in accor- of defection which was rapidly drifting
dance with the new views of the majority. the great body of their Church into a
A  small minority dissented, withdrew contradiction of their own acts and standfrom the innovating party, formed them- ards. But all their remonstrances and
selves into a presbytery in 1799, and be- protests were ineffectual. In May 1804,
came known by the designation of the the Synod enacted their Narrative and
Old Light Burghers.*                 Testimony into a term of communion.
A similar innovating process was about In August 1806, the Rev. Messrs. Bruce,
the same time going on in the Anti- Aitken, Hog, and M'Crie, formally abanburgher synod, though it does not appear doned their connection with the Synod,
either to have begun or to have been op- and constituted themselves into a presbyposed so early; and as it produced cor- tery, assuming the name of the Constituresponding results, and has attracted more tional Associate Presbytery. The Synod
attention in consequence of the subsequent deposed their more honest and consciencelebrity of one distinguished man, to tious brethren without delay, and even
whose great mental power it was the passed sentence ofexcommunication upon
means of first directing public notice, it Dr. M'Crie, probably as being the most
must be somewhat more fully stated. In distinguished and forminable opponent
order to escape from the unpleasant and of their defections. In 1807, that gifted
scarcely honourable state of matters in and high-principled man published a
which subscription of their standards, ac- " Statement of the Difference" between
companied with evasive explanations, in- the original Testimony of the first Secevolved them, it was proposed in the Anti- ders and the new production of their
burgher Synod,thatthe Testimony should descendants, proving beyond all doubt
be enlarged, and so far modified as to that they had abandoned their principles,
adapt it to the altered circumstances and adopted others pregnant with danger
which a series of years had produced.t to the civil and religious peace and welThe enlarging and modifying process fare of the kingdom. This very valuable
thus begun, led to results which could production made comparatively little imLittle Naphtali, by the Rev. W. Willis, Greenock. pression on the public mind when it first
See also Appendix to the JudicialTestimony, published appeared, as the deep importance of the
by the Old Light Burghers, 1800.bey
t Life of Dr'Crie, pp. 45, 46.  subject was scarcely perceived beyond




A. D. 1831.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   393
the limits of the Secession; but no work to the whole body of the community inwhich has since been published on the struction in the faith and practice of the
Voluntary controversy will more amply gospel?"  Those who were opposed to
repay a studious perusal.*  To close all religious establishments, were of
these preliminary remarks: In 1820, the course bound to take the negative side of
two parties of Seceders, the Burghers and this proposition, and to attempt to prove,
Antiburghers, again commenced the work that it was not the duty of the State to inof enlargement and compromise, aban- terfere in religious matters, even in the
doned some more of their original princi- slightest degree, either by supporting
pies, opened their views more fully on truth or repressing falsehood. Very few
the subject of hostility to all national es- of them, however, were willing to occupy
tablishments of religion, and combining the position of maintaining a theory which
on this basis, formed themselves into one clearly involved national infidelity and
body, under the name of the United Se- atheism, by the total exclusion of religion
cession. Such was the condition of the from the civil and legislative character
Scottish Seceders, who had gradually of the nation. Those who did approach
abandoned their principles and become most closely to the central principle of
Dissenters, when the popular movements the controversy, endeavoured to evade
which were taking place throughout the that conclusion, by giving such definitions
kingdom  encouraged  them  to bring of Church and State as might seem to
prominently before the public those senti- show the impossibility of any connection
ments which had been long maturing in between them which did not involve the
secret, and for which they now began to most pernicious consequences.  They
expect an early and complete triumph. were careful to maintain, that the power
Indications of this intention were given competent to states is " wholly temporal,
from time to time for several years; but respecting only the secular interests of
it was not till 1830, or rather 1831, that society; and they seemed to think, that
the discussion respecting the lawfulness any possible connection which the civil
of a civil establishment of religion, in the magistrate could have with religion could
form of a National Church, assumed the only lead to its persecution or its corrupgrave aspect of a public controversy; and tion. Their opponents both denied the
it was not till 1832 that it became suffi- correctness of this definition of civil maciently important to draw into the contest gistracy, and rejected the conclusion
the leading men both of the Secession which was attempted to be deduced from
and of the Church. Speedily, however, it.
it reached such a degree of intensity as  The defenders of national establishto engage the attention of the whole ments of religion assumed far higher
kingdom, and to make it evident, that grounds than their opponents.  They
upon the decision of this great question held civil magistracy to be an ordinance
would depend the peace and stability of of God, whether viewed in the light of
the British empire.                  natural, or in that of revealed religion;
It will not be expected that any thing rendering it the imperative duty of kings
more than a very brief summary of the and states to maintain and promote, in
chief points discussed in this great con- their public and official character, the
troversy should be given here. And in true and pure worship of Him to whom
attempting such a summary it shall be all power belongs, from whom they deour endeavour to state nothing but what rive their station and authority; to whom
belongs to the very essence of the contro- they must render an account of all their
versy. The subject matter of the contro- conduct, public as well as private, and
versy, when divested of every thing ex- whom they are bound to recognise and
traneous, was simply this, " Whether or revere as the King of kings and Lord of
not it be the duty of the State to give lords. This they held to be the first and
support and countenance to Christianity, highest duty of the civil magistrate, even
by establishing and endowing a national antecedent to any express revelation.
institution for the purpose of imparting But God, the ruler and judge of the universe, having revealed his will to man,
The whole of this subject is very clearly stated in verse, ai  reved his  il  a
the Life o Dr. M'Crie, by his Son.  the next point of inquiry necessarily was,
50




394             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. Xv
whether in that revealed will there could gious instruction, and because in supportbe found any statements calculated to ing Christianity, he supports a religion
modify or set aside this primary law or which pleads, entreats, persuades, but
civil magistracy. There it was found, cannot and will not persecute,-whose
that, under the Mosaic dispensation, the power resides not in the sword, but in the
duty of kings and states to maintain and gentle and gracious influence of heavenly
promote the worship of God was most love.
strongly and explicitly declared; and   But the main arguments used by the
when their opponents endeavoured to set assailants of religious establishments were
aside the arguments deduced from the of a secondary character, not reaching
Old   Testament dispensation, on the the essence of the controversy, fallacious
ground that its regulations were no longer in their own nature, and inconclusive,
binding under Christianity, this was an- even if they could have been proved to be
swered, first, by the universally admitted true so far as they reached.  They deprinciple, that what God had enacted no claimed loudly, that it was the duty of all
inferior authority could repeal; and that, Christians to give voluntary support to
therefore, all the enactments of the Mosaic Christianity; and from this undisputed
dispensation must be still binding, unless proposition they deduced two very strange
it could be shown that they were either and illogical conclusions,-that no other
so manifestly typical as to have terminated method of providing support for the pubby fulfilment, or had been expressly re- lic teachers of religion was permissible,
vealed in the gospel; secondly, by pro- -and that this was perfectly adequate to
ducing from the gospel dispensation itself the necessities of the nation. They consuch statements respecting the duties of founded the right of the pastor to be supthe civil magistrate as it was manifestly ported, with the duty of the people to supimpossible for him to discharge, without port him; and they virtually maintained
giving his direct sanction and authorita- the manifest absurdity, that what was the
tive support to Christianity.         duty of each Christian in the nation inThey further argued, that it was im- dividually, was not the duty of the whole
possible for the civil magistrate to per- as a Christian nation collectively.  Their
form his own peculiar duties without the other conclusion was resolvable into a
support of true religion; that the true mere question of facts. No one denied
welfare of the nation, which it was his that it was the duty of all Christians to
duty to promote, depended upon its moral aid in propagating the gospel; but the
purity, and the rectitude, impartiality, and defenders of national endowments ashumanity of its laws; and that the only serted, that without a national fund apeffectual method of promoting moral plied for the support of ministers in poor
purity was to be found in the propagation and immoral localities, there would be a
of the gospel, and the only sure guide in large proportion of the population left
framing just, equal, and humane laws, destitute of religious instruction, partly
was the Word of God. Hence it followed, because too poor to provide it for themthat the first and most imperative duty selves, and partly because too immoral
of the civil magistrate, even when seeking and irreligious to have any regard for it.
to promote the physical, mental and The correctness of this view was easily
moral welfare of the community, was to tried by the test of statistical investigation;
provide for and offer to the whole body and from the inquiries made by a royal
of the nation, thie means of instruction in commission appointed for that purpose,
the knowledge of the only living and true it appeared, that there were at least
God, and of Christ Jesus, whom he hath five hundred thousand souls in Scotland
sent to redeem, regenerate, and save man- totally destitute of the means of religious
kind from sin and misery.  It was not instruction, notwithstanding the exertions
difficult to show that, in discharging this of the Established Church, and the supduty, the civil magistrate was not entitled plemental aid of all who held the Volunto use his power In any manner that tary principle, and were at liberty to emmight amount to persecution, both be- ploy all the energies which they declared
cause his duty was fulfilled by providing it to possess. Churchmen always said
and offering the means of national reli- "W e are eager to accept all the voluntary




A. D. 1831.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    396
aid from  private  Christian  liberality which deserves the name."  If it had
which we can obtain; and where that been actually proved that there did not
falls short, we call upon a patriotic and exist any Established Church which had
enlightened Christian legislature to sup- not incurred the loss of due spiritual in.
ply the deficiency, by contributing to send dependence, that would not have proved
the bread of life to thousands who are that there could not be an Establishment
perishing for lack of spiritual know- without the sacrifice of spiritual indepenledge."                               dence.  For it was not difficult to show,
As the advocates of the Voluntary by analyzing the nature of Church and
principle could not deny the proved State till their simplest elements were
spiritual destitution, they attempted to reached, and pointing out the respective
evade the obvious inference, namely, that provinces and duties of each, that they
their favourite  principle was not so might be of great mutual support and
powerful as they affirmed, by boldly de- aid to each other, without either of them
dlaring, that the very existence of reli- in the slightest degree yielding up that
gious establishments was the cause of which was peculiar to itself, or encroachthat inefficiency in the Voluntary princi- ing on what belonged rightfully to the
pie which could not be denied; hazard- other; and even, that any encroachment
ing the paradoxical assertion, that civil of the one upon the other's province
establishments of Christianity had been would inevitably not only inflict injury
the direct source of all the errors which upon the aggrieved, but would also recoil
had corrupted the Church, paralyzed its upon the aggressor in some form at least
exertions, and impeded its propagation equally calamitous. If the Church inthroughout the world.  In this respect vade the functions of the State, that leads
the controversy assumed a historical to Popery; if the State invade those of
character; and it was soon triumphantly the Church, that is Erastianism; and in
proved, that almost every one of the most either case, both Church and State indeadly errors that have crept into the flict and sustain mutual and heavy injury.
Church had its origin in a period long And appealing to facts, it was shown,
before Christianity was established,-  that the Church of Scotland occupied the
nay, that many of them sprang directly medium between these two extremes, in
out of the felt defects of the Voluntary her connection with the State, neither ensystem itself, and might never have exist- croaching upon its functions, nor sured had there been an adequate establish- rendering her own spiritual independence
ment in an earlier age.  A minor de- as a Church of Christ.  This reference
partment of the same question furnished to the condition and character of the
much scope    for violent declamation Church of Scotland was somewhat less
against the abuses of all establishments, conclusive than it would otherwise have
This was likely to be a popular theme, been in consequence of the secular policy
and was therefore much employed by the so long pursued by the unconstitutional
subordinate  controversialists;  for all Moderate party, which was undeniably
those of a higher order of mind were Erastian; but the course of reformation
aware that no argument, founded mere- which had been in progress for several
ly on the abuse of any thing, can be con- years, the rapid increase of Evangelism,
elusively against its proper use.     and the resuscitations of the true constituBut by the more intelligent opponents tional principles of the  Presbyterian
of the Church an attempt was made to church government and discipline which
bring essentially the same argument for- had taken place, were more than sulffiward in another aspect, in which they cient to neutralize any objection drawn
asserted, "That in every Established from the long domination of ModeraChurch, the very fact of entering into an tism; and it was felt by the public, and
alliance with the State involved such a even by the ablest Voluntaries themselves
sacrifice of the spiritual independence. of that equally in principle, argument and
the Church, as to render it incapable of fact, the Church had gained the victory.*
exercising that freedom of government' It does not seem necessary to specify the numerous
and purity of discipline which are abso- books and pamphlets written in the Voluntary controversy, as these are still in the hands of the public, anti
lutely essential to any Church of Christ ava yet lost none of their interest.




396             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
Every person capable of fully under- ther fiery trial, by the instrumentality of
standing this important controversy will those who should have hailed her as
readily perceive, that it could not have their protectress, had they possessed wisbeen gained by any Church but one hold- dom enough to comprehend the nature of
ing firmly the great Presbyterian prin- the danger which had been warded of
ciple of the sole Sovereignty and Head- or sufficient generosity to be grateful for
ship of the Lord Jesus Christ over His their deliverance.
spiritual kingdom, the Church.  Eng-    [1832.] The quickening progress of
lish Episcopacy could not have with- the Voluntary controversy directed the
stood the shock which the Church of attention of both the assailants and the
Scotland encountered and repelled- un- defenders of the Church of Scotland to
shaken. This was clearly perceived by every thing, either in her constitutional
the greatest warrior and statesman of the principles or in her practice, which could
age, when, with that intuitive penetration furnish material for assault or defence.
and sagacity by which he is distinguish- This inevitably led the friends of the
ed, he remarked, that " the battle of Es- Church to mark with sharpened intellitablishments must be fought in Scotland." gence those abuses which rendered her
But it must also be remarked, that the peculiarly vulnerable in any part, and
battle could not have been gained, had stimulated them  to inquire carefully,
the struggle taken place during the domi- whether there did not exist in her constination of Moderatism.    Indeed, the tution principles which needed but to be
Moderate party seem to have been aware recalled into sanative action, in order to
of their own inability to dare the encoun- restore to her a life which all her foes
ter, as very few of them ventured to could not destroy. The wisest and ablest.grapple with the subject, and of these of the Evangelical ministers had always
few, none but Evangelical Moderates, felt that the mode in which patronage
and even they not with very distinguished was exercised in the Church was her
success.                              most assailable point; that it had alienIt might have been expected, that the ated the people, corrupted a large propormerit of the Church of Scotland in this tion of the ministers, diminished her useperilous conflict of principles, when she fulness, and weakened her moral influhad proved herself to be the firmest bul- ence over the public mind. But the law
wark of the British constitution, would of patronage had now existed so long,
have gained her some favour in the eyes that many who felt its arbitrary exercise
not only of Christians, but of prudent to be a grievance, were nevertheless so
politicians and enlightened statesmen. It far reconciled to the abstract idea of pawas not the first time in her history in tronage, that they did not at all contemwhich the Presbyterian Church had tri- plate, nor even desire, its total abolition.
umphantly defended the cause of reli- The subject of the total abolition of pagious purity and truth, and thereby at the tronage had indeed been brought before
same time had protected civil liberty- the public, and an anti-patronage society
To her it mattered not whether her as- formed, in the year 1825, the most active
sailant might be a cunning or an arbi- member of which was Dr. Andrew
trary monarch, an avaricious and domi- Thomson. Although little effectual proneering aristocracy, or a degenerate Se- gress was made by this society, it dicession, aided by a revolutionary popu- rected the attention of the public mind to
lace.  Her duty was to maintain her al- the subject, and in that manner probably
legiance to her own divine Head and accomplished all that its members ever
King, by whomsoever that sacred prin- expected. By such concurrent causes a
ciple might be assailed. In all her for- very general feeling was produced, that
mer conflicts she had often realized the some modification of patronage should
applicability to her history of her own take place, such as might render the
singularly appropriate emblem and motto, method of appointing ministers to vacant
the bush burning but not consumed, be- charges less arbitrary and capricious
cause the Lord was in it.  And before than it had long been; and also that the
the Voluntary controversy had fairly argument against Establishments, based
ceased, she was violently exposed to ano- on such manifest abuses, might be weak



A. D. 1833.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  397
ened, if it could not be wholly removed. creased the excitement of the public
The chief direction, however, which the mind, and directed it more forcibly than
public mind took in the first instance ever towards the conflicting topics of pawas, to attempt such a definition of what tronage and calls. This was sufficiently
a call really ought to be, and such an en- proved by the fact, that when the Assernforcement of it in a legitimate manner, as bly met in 1833, it appeared that the atmight restore it to a proper degree of tention of the court was again to be diefficiency, as a constitutional limitation rected to the subject by not less than
of patronage.                       forty-five overtures on calls.  The genWhen the General Assembly met in eral tenor of these overtures was closely
1832, there were laid on the table over- similar to that of the eleven brought fortures from three synods and eight pres- ward in the preceding year. Two difbyteries. The general tenor of these ferent motions were laid before the Asovertures was to this effect:-" That sembly,-one by Dr. Chalmers, the
whereas the practice of church courts for other by Dr. Cook; and a very long and
many years had reduced the call to a able debate ensued, in which the main
mere formality; and whereas this prac- elements of the question were very amply
tice has a direct tendency, to alienate the developed and discussed. It was clearly
affections of the people of Scotland from  proved by the whole history of the
the Established Church; it is overtured, Church, that ever since the Reformation
that such measures as may be deemed it had been a fixed principle in her con
necessary be adopted, in order to restore stitution and laws, that no minister shall
the call,to its constitutional and salutary be intruded into any pastoral charge con
efficiency."  In the debate which fol- trary to the will of the congregation;
lowed, Professor Brown of Aberdeen that this had been verbally admitted even
moved, "that the overtures be remitted to by the Moderate party, though too gena committee, with instructions to consider erally disregarded in their procedure;
the subject, and to report to next Assem- that this principle had been subjected to
bly."  Principal Macfarlan of Glasgow  various fluctuations in modes of form and
moved, "that the Assembly judge it un- application, but had never been abannecessary and inexpedient to adopt the doned or disclaimed; and that its most
measures recommended in the overtures natural position and method of operation
now before them."  The latter motion was to be found in the call given by the
was carried by a majority of forty-two; people, inviting a qualified person to be
and thus the Moderate party refused even their pastor, without which the settlement
to have the subject considered, that a de- of a minister could not be legally and
liberate opinion might be formed whether constitutionally effected. Dr. Chalmers
the loud and general complaints of the proposed, that efficiency should be given
kingdom were well-founded, and whether to the call by declaring, that the dissent
any method could be devised to remedy of a majority of the male heads of famithe evil and restore public tranquillity. lies, resident in the parish and communiA little more sagacitymight have enabled cants, expressed with or without the asthem to perceive, that the matter could signment of reasons, ought to be of connot be thus set aside and consigned to clusive effect in setting aside the presenoblivion; and that a comparatively slight tee, save and except where it is clearly
amendment might put an end to an agi- established, that the  said dissent is
tation which was rapidly increasing in founded in corrupt and malicious combiboth intensity and extent, and which nation, or not truly founded in any obwould soon not be satisfied without a jection personal to the presentee in remuch greater change than had yet been gard to his ministerial gifts and qualificontemplated.                       cations, either in general, or with refer[1833.] A very short period of time ence to that particular parish.  Dr.
after the rising of the Assembly was Cook's motion declared, that it is compesufficient to prove, that the refusal of the tent for the heads of families to give in to
Moderate party even to institute an in- the presbytery objections, of whatever
quiry into the important subject which nature, against the presentee; that the
had been before them, had greatly in- presbytery shall consider theseobjections,




39%             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
and if they find them  unfounded, or together devoid of truth; that the insinuaoriginating from  causeless prejudices, tion of their being actuated by political
they shall proceed to the settlement; but motives rested on no better foundation
if they judge that they are well-founded, but that, in reality, the principles for
they shall reject the presentation, the pre- which they were contending, were presentee being unqualified.  This latter cisely those which had been held by the
motion was manifestly an evasion of the Scottish reformers, had been by them
subject, as it gave no greater powers to a made the very essence and basis of the
majority, or the whole of a congregation, Church, and had been maintained by her
than had always been possessed by any in every period of her history; that her
individual; but in the course of his purityandefficiencyas a Christian Church
speech, Dr. Cook distinctly admitted an had been exactly proportionate to the sinimportant principle, which the Moderate cerity with which they had been held,
party, ever since the days of Principal and the efficiency which had been given
Robertson,  had  strenuously  denied, to their operation; and that, though these
namely, "That the Church regarded principles had been overborne and disrequalification as including much more garded during the long and dreary reign
than learning, moral character, and sound of Moderatisn, they had still been held
doctrine,-as extending, in fact, to the fit- by a faithful few within the Church, renness of presentees in all respects for the dering it a moral certainty, that if ever
particular situation to which they were that constitutional party should obtain the
appointed."*  The peculiar point of Dr. ascendancy, they would of necessity bring
Chalmers' motion was, that by declaring into immediate operation those principles
the dissent of a majority, with or without which they had never ceased to hold, and
reasons, conclusive, it rendered intrusion would restore to the nation, in all its
impossible, while it still reserved suffi- original purity and excellence, the true
cient power in the church courts to pre- Evangelical and Presbyterian Church of
vent that dissent from being founded on Scotland.
malice or mere caprice on the part of the  But though still successful on thfs
people. Dr. Cook's motion was, how- question, the Moderates sustained in this
ever, carried by a majority of twelve, the Assembly their first defeat as a party,
numbers being one hundred and forty- and that, too, with reference to a very imnine to one hundred and thirty-seven. portant measure. The ministers of chaAnd it is worthy of notice, that in this in- pels of ease had petitioned to be admitted
stance again the Moderate majority was to their constitutional rights, as members
obtained by means of the elders, there of church courts, and to have sessions
being a positive majority of twenty min- allowed them, that they might exercise
isters in behalfof Dr. Chalmers' motion.t discipline in their congregations. They
The discussion of this important ques- craved to be heard by counsel in support
tion was both much more comprehensive of their petitions. This was opposed by
and minute in this Assembly than in that Dr. Cook; but, on a division, it was carof the preceding year, stripping off the ried by a majority of a hundred and
thin disguise in which a specious sophis- twenty-one to a hundred and one. The
try had sought to involve it, clearing petitions were remitted to a committee,
away many prejudices and erroneous who were to report to next Assembly.
notions that had long been prevalent, and A further result of this favourable delibringing prominently to the light those verance, was the passing of an act by the
great constitutional principles which had Moderates themselves, a few days afterbeen so long kept in obscurity and abey- wards, similar to that which had been
ance.  The public began now clearly to sought for by the chapel ministers, in
perceive, that the charge of innovation, favour of the ministers of the parliamenso vehemently urged against the Evan- tary churches. This act deserves unqual
gelical party by their opponents, was al- ified approbation.  By it, the parliamen-..                               tary churches, as they were termed,'which' This view must have been since abandoned by the had been built and partially endowed in
Moderate party; otherwise they too must have opposed  een       endowed 
the recent encroachments of the Court of Session.  the most necessitous parts of the country
1 See the published debate of that year; and the chiefly in the  ighlands  had districts
Presbyterian Reviews, vol. iv.y                 the Hghlans had districts




A. D. 1834.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    399
assigned to them, which were erected day of May 1834; and with it terminated
into separate parishes quoad sacra; and the reign of Moderatism in the Church
the ministers of these new parishes were of Scotland.
authorised to exercise all the functions  On Thursday the 29th of May, the case
competent to any ministers, both in their of the chapels of ease was again brought
own parishes, and as members of church before the Assembly, by several overtures
courts. This act was founded on a re- on the subject, and the report of the comport laid before the Assembly by a cor- mittee appointed in the preceding Assemmittee, of which Dr. Cook was convener; bly.  Although the admission of the
and however difficult it may be to recon- chapel ministers seemed necessarily to
cile it with the ordinary policy of the follow from that of the parliamentary
Moderate party, it was in itself a just, church ministers, it was strenuously reprudent, and constitutional measure.*  sisted by the Moderate party, chiefly on
[1834.] The Assembly of 1834 must the ostensible ground of a doubt respectever be held as one of the most memor- ing the power of the Church to admit the
able whose proceedings have been re- ministers of chapels of ease to a particicorded in the annals of the Church of pation in church government, without
Scotland. When the Erskines and other previously asking and obtaining the confathers of the Secession appealed to the sent of the legislature. As this supposed
"first free and reforming Assembly," they want of power equally affected the case
little thought that exactly an hundred of the parliamentary church ministers,
years would elapse before that despotic with this sole difference, that the latter
party which had expelled them would were not, like the chapel ministers, populose its ascendency, and a free and reform- larly elected, there is reason to believe
ing Assembly would actually be held. that the unavowed objection was of a
Such, however, was the case, as the totally different nature. The vehement
shortest possible record of its proceedings complaints subsequently poured forth by
will sufficiently prove. A great number the leaders of that party against the adof overtures on calls again brought that mission of the chapel ministers, as havsubject under discussion; and, from the ing been the direct cause of Evangelical
crowded state of the house. it was mani- ascendency, although quite erroneous in
fest that the full strength of both parties point of fact, give a strong indication of
was to be put forth, and that all Scotland the secret apprehensions of the Moderates,
was watching the issue with the most in- and may not unfairly be regarded as furtense anxiety.  A motion was made by nishing the true explanation of their conLord. Moncreiff to the same purport as duct in this matter, both then and subsethat made by Dr. Chalmers in the pre- quently.* In the course of the discussion
ceding Assembly, declaring that the dis- it appeared, that within the space of a
approval of a majority of male heads of century, nearly six hundred dissenting
families, being communicants, should be congregations had risen up in Scotland,
deemed sufficient ground for the pres- while there had been only sixty-three
bytery rejecting the person so disap- chapels of ease erected during the same
proved of; and declaring further, that period. It was proved also, that this
no person should be entitled to express paucity of chapels had been caused, in a
his disapproval, who should refuse, if great measure, by the anomalous and
required, solemnly to declare, in pre- unconstitutional position in which their
sence of the presbytery, that he is actu- ministers were placed, which rendered
ated by no factious or malicious motive, them comparatively inefficient, and disbut solely by a conscientious regard to couraged the people from the exertions
the spiritual interests of himself or the which they would otherwise have gladly
congregation.  After a long and able made.   This argument was mightily endebate, this motion was carried by a ma- forced by the consideration that, while
jority of forty-six, the numbers being one the Church was thus remaining almost
hundred and eighty-four to one hundred stationary, the population was increasing
and thirty-eight.  This most important
ecision toy te 2h been asserted that the Act on Calls was passed by the' Acts of Assembly, year 1833.  support of the chapel ministers.




400              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. X.
with great rapidity; so that vast numbers acter. In its preamble, it contained a
must either sink into practical heathenism  clear statement of the fundamental prinand immorality, thereby becoming the ciple of the Church of Scotland, that no
enemies of all law and order, human and pastor shall be intruded on any congredivine, or must join the Secession, which gation contra y to the will of the people;
having now avowed the Voluntary prin- and so far, it was a highly meritorious
ciple, was the deadly foe of all ecclesiasti- and constitutional act. But it may well
cal establishments.  Unless, therefore, be questioned whether the best mode of
sonme measure were speedily taken for giving due effect to that principle was
encouraging the erection of new churches, adopted by rendering the dissent of the
giving to their ministers all due and re- people conclusive against a presentee, inquisite powers, and making a great effort stead of giving direct efficiency to the
to meet the necessities of the "outfield positive call of. a majority.  The latter
population," it was evident that the Church iode would certainly have been more in
of Scotland must perish in the course of harmony with the spirit of the principle,
a few generations, as no longer capable as well as more consistent with the proof accomplishing the purpose for which cedure of the Church in her earlier and
a National Church exists,-the instruc- purer days. But it would have been a
tion of the whole body of the people in more direct and powerful check upon the
the knowledge of what pertains to their law of patronage; and unfortunately the
mental, moral, and religious welfare. learned judge, by whom the motion was
These arguments triumphed in this re- introduced, had no wish to see patronage
forming Assembly; and the ministers of abolished, or even very greatly shorn of
chapels of ease were, by a declaratory act, its strength. The very nature of the act,
rescued from their curate-like position, therefore, was a compromise, containing
empowered to perform all the functions, two hostile elements in its heart; and
and authorised to enjoy all the privileges, many foresaw that it could not possibly
of minist rs of theChurch of Scotland, in accomplish all the good which its sandiscipline and government, as constituent guine supporters anticipated.  Doubts
members of church courts.             were also entertained whether it might
The only other topics of general im- not be held that it was beyond the powers
portance connected with this Assembly of the Church to pass such an act; but
were, the appointment of that committee the opinions of the legal advisers of the
for the purpose of promoting the erection crown removed these doubts, assuring
of new churches, since so well known as supporters of the Veto Act, that it was
the Church Extension Committee, insep- perfectly competent for the Church to
arably connected with the name of Dr. pass an act so manifestly consistent with
Chalmers, its great founder; the appoint- her legally recognised constitution. Lord
ment of a committee on the subject of the Chancellor Brougham also gave it his
eldership, two of the reforms suggested decided approbation, as "in every respect
by which have since been carried; and more desirable than any other course that
the sending of a deputation to London, to could have been taken."*  The Church
petition the legislature for endowments of Scotland may be accused of too great
to the chapels of ease, and to the new caution and timidity in framing a law
churches which were already in contem- which did not give full developement to
plation, that the great destitution of the her own principles; but to charge her
means of religious instruction in Scotland with rashness, disregard of law, and inmight be effectually remedied.*       novation, is to set matter of fact, truth,
It is impossible to pass the important and reason. at defiance.
acts of this Assembly without offering  [1835-39.] The Assembly of 1835 was
one or two remarks respecting them. not equal to its predecessor in prosecuting
The act on calls, since generally known the work of reformation. Great exerby the name of the Veto Act, was cer- tions had been made by the Moderates to
tainly a measure of an ambiguous char- recover their lost dominion, by sending
their adherents to the Assembly from.
For the whole proceedings of this Assembry, see
the mublished debate, or the Presbyterian Review  See his Lordship's speech, quoted in Mr Hamilton's
Vol.,.                                Remonstrance.




A. D. 1835.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 401
every quarter where they still retained On the other hand, two hundred and
supremacy.   The Veto Act and the eighty-seven heads of families, communiChapel Act were, however, both ratified; tants, subscribed a dissent or disapproval
though some decisions were given incon- of the presentee; and as there were only
sistent with the spirit of the former. By three hundred and thirty on the roll, this
dexterous management, they contrived to amounted to an overwhelming majority
evade the discussion of the committee's of dissentients.  The presbytery refused
report respecting the reformation of the to sustain the call; the presentee appealed
eldership, and also the subject of patron- to the synod, which affirmed the sentence
age. But the Christian eloquence of Dr. of the presbytery; the presentee again
Duff, on the subject of missions to the appealed to the Assembly, and in this
heathen, gave an elevation to the char- manner the subject came before the suacter of that Assembly which can never preme ecclesiastical court. The argube forgotten. And the first report of the ments in behalf of the presentee were
Church Extension Committee displayed based entirely on the alleged informality
to an astonished and admiring public the of the proceedings: the legality of tht
mighty energies of the Church of Scot- Veto Act itself was never called in ques
land, when set free from the leaden en- tion. The Assembly, on the motion of
thralment of Moderate domination.  In Lord Moncreiff, affirmed the sentence of
one short year, from the passing of the the presbytery by a large majority. Such
Chapel Act in 1834, till the Assembly were the first stage of the proceedings in
of 1835, no less than sixty-four new this ill-omened case.
churches had either been built or were  As various important cases arose about
in the process of erection,-exactly one the same time, involving a long course of
more than had been erected during the litigation, during which they simultawhole preceding century. Another cheer- neously occupied the attention of the civil
ing event took placeduring this Assembly. and ecclesiastical courts, it seems expeThe Original Burgher Synod, which had dient to trace each separately, so far as it
not adopted the Voluntary principle, re- has actually proceeded, in order to avoid
quested the appointment of a committee the confusion which might be produced
to confer with them, with a view to the by interwisting them with each other, as
arrangement of preliminaries for effecting they evolved in the succession of years.
a union between that body and the Esta- We shall therefore continue to follow the
blished Church of Scotland. This most case of Auchterarder, so far as it has ye.
desirable event took place, after due deli- proceeded, before directing our attention
beration, conducted in a generous and to the other cases.
Christian spirit on both sides, in the  On the 7th of July 1835, the presbytery
month of August 1839.                of Auchterarder again met, and resumed
One decision of the Assembly of 1835 consideration of the case of Mr. Young,
must be stated, not on account of its in- as presentee to the parish of Auchterartrinsic claims to attention, but because of der; and, in conformity with the senthe melancholy celebrity which subse- tence of the General Assembly, rejected
quent events have given to it. On the him, and intimated this decision to the pa14th of October 1834, a presentation by tron, the presentee, and the elders of the
the Earl of Kinnoull was laid before the parish. Against this sentence the presen
presbytery of AUCHTERARDER, in favour tee's agent appealed to the synod of Perth
of Mr. Robert Young, preacher of the and Stirling. This appeal, however, was
gospel, appointing him to the vacaht subsequently abandoned, and an action
church and parish of Auchterarder. The raised in the Court of Session against the
roll of communicants had not been made presbytery, at the instance of Lord Kinup by the late minister, owing to his fail- noull, the patron, and Mr. Young, the
ing health, but -was prepared under the presentee.  When the case was first
authority of the presbytery previous to brought into court, the summons conthe time for moderating in the call. eluded alternatively to have it found that
When that day came the call was signed the presentee, or, failing him the patron,
by his lordship's factor, not a resident in had right to the stipend onr the ground of
the parish, and by two heads of families. the presentation alone, notwithstanding
51




402              HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. X.
the refusal of the church courts to induct an integral part, but its very basis, as an
him.   The defence of the presbytery was essential and fundamental condition of the
simple and effectual, pleading, that as they Treaty of Union.  The Church, when
pretended no right to the stipend, they had entering into this action, was careful to
been improperly called as parties in such guard against being thought to have
a cause.  The validity of this defence yielded up her own spiritual jurisdiction,
was felt by the pursuers, who sought and by strenuously maintaining, that the Court
obtained leave to amend their summons, of Session had no jurisdiction whatever in
by the insertion of a new and totally dif- regard to the matter of conferring the
ferent conclusion.  The tenor of this new  pastoral office, in which, and in every
conclusion was, that the rejection of the other manifestly ecclesiastical matter, the
presentee solely in respect of a veto of the church courts were supreme and indeparishioners, was illegal, and injurious to pendent of control by any civil tribunal.
the patrimonial rights of the pursuer, and The only point in which the Church adcontrary to the provisions of the statutes mitted the power of the Court of Session,
and laws regarding the collation or settle- or any other civil court, to adjudicate,
ment of ministers; and that in conse- was with regard to the disposal of the
quence of the presentation, the presbytery fruits of the benefice, in case the Church
were still bound to make trial of the qua- should be found to have acted illegally;
lifications of the presentee, and, if found but even then it was denied that the Court
duly qualified, to receive and admit him. of Session had any jurisdiction in a matter
The conclusions respecting the stipend so clearly spiritual as the qualifications of
were intentionally left out of view, till a preseentee for the pastoral office, or was
the question respecting the legality of the entitled to declare substantively against
veto should be determined.             the presbytery, that their proceedings in
The question now acquired a character such a matter were illegal.  The Court
of the deepest importance.  The conclu- of Session might determine whether a
sion of the summons apparently assumed, presentation were valid or not, and consethat the presentee's right to be taken on quently whether the presentee possessed
trials without reference to the proceedings any legal claim to the fruits of the beneof the congregation at the moderating in fice in consequence of such a presentation;
the call, and if found qualified, to be ad- but when the presentation was sustained,
mitted, was of the nature of a civil right;* every other step in the process of adand that the obligation on the part of the mission was exclusively within the sole
presbytery to take him on trial, and, if jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts,
found qualified, to admit, and of necessity and not subject to the review of any civil
to ordain him, was a civil obligation. It court.  Be the decision what it might,
also apparently assumed,that, if the pres- the Church expressly guarded against
bytery should be held to have acted ille- being supposed to have consented to any
gaily, the Court of Session was the com- abridgment of her independent spiritual
petent tribunal to review their proceed- jurisdiction, distinctly declaring, that she
ings, to direct them  authoritatively in would not obey the mandate of any civil
their duty with regard to admission to the court, nor could it enforce obedience, in
pastoral office, and even, if necessary, to such matters.*
enforce the discharge of what should      After a discussion of unprecedented
have been thus declared to be their duty. length, seventeen days in all, the Court of
Such a conclusion was beyond all ques- Session, on the 8th of March 1838, by a
tion directly subversive of both the consti- majority of three, the numbers being eight
tution and the spiritual independence of and five, gave judgment in the case, but
the Church of Scotland, and consequently not to the full extent of the conclusion of
of the British constitution itself, on which the summons.  From  that the court
the'..well-ascertained rights and privileges seems to have shrunk, notwithstanding
of the Church of Scotland form not only the very new and strange opinion uttered
by some of the judges; and instead of
It may be remarked, that it had always formerly finding that the presbytery were stil
been held as a Presbyterian principle, that a presentee, ng that the presbytery  ere  ti
or one who had received a call, had still no right whatever entitling him to act, but that he must remain'See the Procurator's Speech in the Auchterarde
purely passive till after his induction.   Report, vol. i. p. 101.




A. D. 1837.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    403
bound to take the presentee on trial, and, cate implicit obedience to their decision
if found qualified, to admit him, which in such matters, do resolve, that, as is deduty they might be compelled to perform, dared in the Confession of Faith of this
they first repelled the objection to the National Established  Church,-' The
jurisdiction of the court, found that the Lord Jesus Christ, as King and Head of
presbytery, in rejecting the presentee the Church, hath therein appointed a
on the sole ground of the dissent by the government in the hand of church officers,
people, had acted to the hurt and preju- distinct from  the civil magistrate,' and
dice of the pursuers, illegally, and in vio- that, in all matters touching the doctrine,
lation of their duty, and contrary to cer- government, and discipline of the Church,
tain statutes, and, in particular, contrary her judicatories possess an exclusivejuristo the act of Queen Anne (the unconstitu- diction, founded on the Word of God,
tional Patronage Act); and in so far re-  which power ecclesiastical flows immepelled the defences of the presbytery, and diately from God and the Mediator, and is
decerned and declared accordingly. How- spiritual, not having a temporal head on
ever erroneous in point of constitutional the earth, but only Christ, the only spiritlaw this decision may have been, it was ual King and Governor of his Church:'
essentially powerless, except in so far as And they do farther resolve, that this
regarded the temporalities of the benefice  spiritual jurisdiction, and the sole Headand by its evasion of the main point in ship of the Lord Jesus Christ, on which
the conclusion of the summons, it afforded it depends, they will assert, and at all
a sufficiently intelligible inference, that hazards defend, by the help and blessing
the Court of Session, whatever might be of that great God, who, in the days of
its inclination, entertained grave doubts old, enabled their fathers, amidst manirespecting its own right to interfere with fold persecutions, to maintain a testimony
the spiritual jurisdiction of the Church of even to the death, for Christ's kingdom
Scotland.                             and crown: And finally, that they will
At the next meeting of the presbytery firmly enforce obedience to the same upon
of Auchterarder after the decision of the the office-bearers and members of the
Court of Session, they received a me- Church, by the execution of her laws in
morial from the pursuers, requiring them  the exercise of the ecclesiastical authority
to comply with a decision which actually wherewith they are invested."
enjoined nothing.  They resolved to refer  By this noble and truly Presbyterian
the matter to the synod, on which a motion, it was made evident that the
notarial protest was taken by Mr. Young's Church of Scotland had once more taken
agent, holding the members of the pres- her position upon the ground so invincibytery jointly and severally liable to bly held by the reformers and martyrs of
damages for refusing to take him on trials. other days, and that the contest was for
In this state the case carne again before the no trivial matter, but in maintenance of
Assembly of 1838.  The decision of the her allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ,
Court of Session had in the meantime and in defence of his sole right to reign
produced intense excitement throughout over his spiritual kingdom.  The attempt
the Church.   A great number of over- to fix upon the Church the charge of a
tures were laid on the table, calling upon Popish usurpation of civil power was
the Assembly to pass a declaratory act, refuted by the first clause of the motion;
asserting the independence of the Church and by the remainder it was rendered
upon any civil power in regard to her clear to every intelligent and unprejuspiritual jurisdiction, and her determina- diced person, that her appeal to the
tion to maintain and enforce it. A mo- House of Lords could not imply any ad.
tion was made by Dr. Buchanan of Glas- mission of the right of even that high
gow, and carried by a majority of forty- court to interfere with her well-guarded
one, to this effect:-" That the General spiritual jurisdiction, but merely her wish
Assembly, while they unqualifiedly ac- to obtain, from that supreme judicatory,
knowledge the exclusive jurisdiction of protection against the illegal and uncon
the civil courts in regard to the civil stitutional encroachments of the Court of
rights and emoluments secured by law to Session, which also necessarily affected
the Church, and will ever give and incul- the temporalities of the benefice, severing




404             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
them during Mr. Young's life from the of Session, no further appearance was
cure of souls.                        made foxr the presbytery, all matters
The General Assembly authorised the of civil right involved being substantially
presbytery of Auchterarder to appeal to settled by the decision now affirmed in
the House of Lords against the decision the House of Lords.  The pursuers ac
of the Court of Session; and sanguine cordingly obtained from the Lord Ordihopes were for a time entertained, that nary, in absence of the defenders, a
the sentence of that supreme tribunal decree  in  terms  of the  remaining
would be a reversal of the decision of the conclusions of the summons, which preo
inferior court. After long and able plead- viously they could not obtain from the
ing, judgment was given on the 3d day court.
of May 1839, in the following terms:-  Fully aware of the nature of the crisis
"It is ordered and adjudged by the lords which had arrived, the General Assembly
spiritual and temporal in parliament as- of 1839 prepared to deliberate on the
sembled, that the said petition and appeal steps now to be taken, in reference to the
be, and is hereby, dismissed this House; decision of the House of Lords in the
and that the said interlocutor therein com- Auchterarder case. An able and eloplained of be, and the same is hereby, af- quent debate ensued on the conflicting
firmed."  Such was the judgment of the motions of Dr. Chalmers and Dr. Cook,
House of Lords. guided by the opinions which ended in the former being carried
of ex-chancellor Brougham, and the lord by a majority of forty-nine, the numbers
chancellor Cottenham. From the pub- being two hundred and four to one hunlished speeches of these noble and learned dred and fifty-five. The motion thus carlords it appears, that their jjudgment was ried was to the following effect: —" Havfounded on a principle repudiated even by ing heard the report of the procurator rethe Moderate party in the Church, as specting the decision of the House of
shown by Dr. Cook's motion in 1833, Lords, and being desirous to give and inviz., that the only grounds on which culcate obedience to the civil courts in all
church courts could reject a presentee civil matters, instruct the presbytery
(even though not an ordained person,) of Auchterarder to )ffer no further resiswas disqualification in one or other of the tance to the claims of Mr. Young, or
three particulars of life, literature, or doc- the patron, to the emoluments of the benetrine; and that, as the dissent of the peo- fice: And whereas the principle of Nonpie was something different from the re- Intrusion is one coeval to the Reformed
jection of a presentee on these grounds, Church of Scotland, and forms an integral
it was illegal. It was even stated by part of its constitution, embodied in its
Lord Brougham, that a call was "not standards, and declared in various acts of
much more than a mere ceremony"-      Assembly, resolve that this principle can" immaterial as a part of a valid settle- not be abandoned, and that no presentee
ment;" and his lordship declared that, if shall be forced upon any parish contrary
requested, he " would at once make an to the will of the congregation: And
order upon the presbytery to admit, if whereas, by the decision referred to, it
duly qualified, and  to disregard the appears, that when this principle is carried
dissent of the congregation."*  These into effect, the legal sustentation of the
views were not, indeed, contained in the ministry may be thereby suspended, and
judgment pronounced by the House of being deeply impressed with the unhappy
Lords; but they served to show to the consequences which must arise from any
Church of Scotland that nothing less collision between the civil and ecclesiastithan the utter overthrow of her spiritual cal authorities, and holding it to be their
independence and the entire subversion duty to use every means in their power,
of her constitution would be the inevitable not involving any dereliction of the prinresult, if she swerved but a hair's-breadth ciples and fundamental laws of their confrom the position which she had taken, stitution, to prevent such unfortunate reor failed but a moment in maintaining the sults, do therefore appoint a committee,
sacred principles which she had avowed, for the purpose of considering in what
On the cause coming back to the Court way the privileges of the National Esta* Report of Speeches, &c.   blishment, and the harmony between




A. D. 1839.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   405
Church and State, may remain unim- tween the Church and the subordinate
paired, with instructions to confer with civil courts. The case of the parish of
the Government of the country, if they LETHENDY was the next in which these
shall see cause."                    co-ordinate judicatories came into hostile
The purport and amount of this mo- contact, and in which the conduct of the
tion is manifest. It was the duty of the Court of Session was still more glaringly
Church to obey the civil court in civil unconstitutional than it had been in the
matters, when the decision of the highest case of Auchterarder, though evidently
tribunal had been given; and this was arising out of the erroneous decision
done by abandoning all claim to the therein given. The minister of Lethendy
temporalities of Auchterarder. It was had become aged and infirm, and a petiequally the duty of the Church to main- tion was presented in 1835 to the patron,
tain inviolate her own great principle, the Crown, that Mr. Clark might be apthat no pastor be intruded upon an un- pointed assistant and successor. No prewilling congregation, because it is found- sentation was issued, as in the case of a
ed on the Word of God, and embodied vacancy, but a consent to the induction
in her own standards, and because no of Mr. Clark by the presbytery was
sentence of a civil court, and no combi- given by a sign manual. The presbynation of external circumstances, could tery of Dunkeld took the ordinary steps
ever release her from the necessity of towards the ordination; but a majority
maintaining inviolate her allegiance to of the male heads of families, communiChrist, and her own constitutional prin- cants, expressed their disapproval of Mr.
ciples. It was also the duty of the Clark, and he was accordingly rejected.
Church to adopt the best means in her The case came before the Assembly of
power for obtaining the adjustment of 1836, and the sentence of the presbytery
the differences that had taken place, that was affirmed. In March, 1837, abou
harmony might be restored between the two months after the death of the aged
civil and the ecclesiastical authorities; minister, Mr. Clark raised a civil action
and for securing this important object, a against the presbytery, but did not bring
committee was appointed to make due it into Court till November of that year.
application to the legislature. To term  When the actual vacancy occurred, the
the conduct of the Assembly rebellion, crown, admitting the validity of the preas has been done, betrays either the mar- vious veto, issued a presentation in favellous strength of prejudices, or a not vour of Mr. Kessen; the presbytery folless marvellous obliquity of judgment, if, lowed the usual course, and a call being
indeed, in many cases it may not rather signed by the people, both presentation
arise from the vindictive wrath of defeat- and call were regularly sustained, and
ed foes and baffled antagonists. It should nothing remained but the ordination and
ever be remembered, that the State gave induction according to the laws of the
its sanction to the Church, with the full Church. By this time the Court of Sesknowledge that she held the very princi- sion had given its decision in the Auchples which she is now maintaining; and terarder case; and Mr. Clark, availing
that, by embodying the Confession of himself of the manifest encroachment
Faith in the Revolution Settlement, the thereby made on the jurisdiction of the
State actually became bound to protect Church, applied to the court for an interthe Church of Scotland in asserting the diet prohibiting the presbytery from prosole Headship of Christ, and her own ceeding to ordain Mr. Kessen. This was
spiritual independence, which flows from  readily granted; and the presbytery referthat divine source; so that, in defend- red the matter to the Assembly of 1838.
ing these principles, instead of rebel- The case was referred by the Assembly to
ling against the law of the land, she the Commission with full powers, and the
is defending it against lawless aggres- Commission, on the 30th of May, prosion.                                nounced this deliverance:-" Find that
admission to the pastoral charge is entirely
Thus terminated for a time the Auch- an ecclesiastical act, subject to the excl.u
terarder case in its more public aspect; sive jurisdiction  of the ecclesiastical
but not thus terminated the collision be- courts; and ordain the presbytery to pro



406             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. X,
ceed without delay to the induction of cause of the Redeemer's Headship. The
Mr. Kessen, upon the call in his favour, Lord President, as the organ of the
according to the rules of the Church." Court, "in the most earnest and emphatic
After the Commission rose, Mr. Clark terms," pronounced upon the servants of
applied for a new interdict, in a more the Lord Jesus "the solemn censure of
ample form, forbidding the presbytery of the Court," assuring them that it was
Dunkeld to settle Mr. Kessen in respect with considerable difficulty that so leniof the call, or on any ground whatever, ent a measure had been adopted; that
and this also was immediately granted. should any similar case again occur, the
The subject was again referred to the punishment of imprisonment would be
Commission, which met in August the inflicted, and its duration would depend
same year; and the Commission prompt- entirely upon the " heinousness of the
ly and almost unanimously renewed their offence committed."  This was unquesdirections to the presbytery to disregard tionably persecution begun in the "lenithe interdict as illegal, being in a matter ent" form of censure, rebuke, and threatpurely spiritual, and to proceed to settle ening, increased by the heavy expenses,
Mr. Kessen, naming the day of ordina- tantamount to the infliction of fines, which
tion. On the 13th of September, ac- the presbytery were compelled to pay, and
cordingly, Mr. Kessen was ordained, aggravated by the prospect of heavier
upon the call of the people, to the pasto- punishment, should the Church retain its
ral charge of the parish of Lethendy, integrity, and abide by its sacred princiwithout reference to the civil emoluments pies, which it could not abandon without
of the benefice, and leaving these at the violating its allegiance to its Divine
disposal of the civil courts. Mr. Clark King.
immediately presented a petition and   There was in this conduct of the
complaint to the Court of Session, calling Court of Session a very marked increase
on them to punish the members of pres- of its aggressions upon the spiritual jubytery for acting in obedience to the com- risdiction of the Church. The decision
mand of the church judicatories, whom  in the Auchterarder case merely repelled
by their ordination  vows they were the objection urged by the Church against
bound to obey, but in disregard of the the jurisdiction of civil courts in spiritual
mandate of a civil court, to which they matters, and found that the courch courts
were not subordinate.  The court de- had acted illegally in rejecting a presencided in favour of the applicant, found tee on the ground of the disapproval of
the presbytery guilty of the breach of the congregation, but issued no order foi
an interdict which their lordships had no the presbytery to proceed; and the affirpower to grant, and ordered those minis- mation of this sentence by the House of
ters whom they chose to regard as de- Lords gave no additional efficacy to that
linquents, to be summoned to their tri decision. The whole amount of this
bunal.                               ratified civil sentence was simplythis:
The members of presbytery obeyed that by giving effect to the dissent of the
the summons. On the 14th of June, people, the Church had forfeited her le1839, a transaction took place such as gal claims to the fruits of the benefice of
had not been beheld in Scotland for Auchterarder, and in every similar case
nearly two centuries. A civil court, in might incur a similar loss. But in the
the exercise of merely secular power, case of Lethendy the civil court not only
called to its bar a court of Christ, be- sustained the claim of the rejected precause of its having exercised apurely sentee, from whom the crown had withspiritual power, the right to do which no drawn the presentation by giving it to
civil court could either give or take away. another, but also proceeded to interdict
A few of the most distinguished minis- the spiritual court from the discharge of
ters of the Church accompanied their a purely spiritual function, ordination, in
brethren to the bar of the civil court, not which, owing to the peculiar directions
to brave the civil authority, but to give of the Commission, no civil interests
the comfort of their presence to those were involved; and inflicted censures
who were called to endure the persecu- and threatenings upon that sp ritual
tion of censure and reproach in the court, because it disregarded such inter




A. D. 1838.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  407
diets as no civil court had ever before the dictates of reason and natural feeling
presumed to grant, and which it was in would have called for his rejection; and
no respect warranted to do by the judg- that if he had possessed the very slightment which the House of Lords had pro- est regard for the peace and welfare of
nounced.                            the parish, he would himself have given
back the presentation. But he was thoThe combined cases of the parish of roughly imbued with the principles of
MNARNOCH and the presbytery of STPATHI- Moderatism, and that explains his conBOGIE next rise to view, exhibiting the duct. The agent of the patrons protestfull nature and extent of the contest into ed against the dissent of the people being
which the Church of Scotland has been received, alleging the illegality of the
forced, the danger to which she is ex- Veto Act; and the presbytery appointed
posed, and the disastrous consequences a day on which charges of canvassing
which may ensue to the best interests, mo- and caballing might be brought forward
ral and religious, of the entire corn- against the people. The people, conmunitv.                             scious of their integrity, came prepared
The minister of the parish of Mar- to repel these charges. The patrons now
noch had become so enfeebled by the in- abandoned the cause, and would willingfirmities of age as to be unable to preach, ly have recalled the presentation, but the
and employed Mr. John Edwards, a presentee was determined to establish the
preacher, to be his assistant. This per- civil right, of which he now held himself
son continued to act in that capacity for to be in possession, regardless alike of
three years, during which time he ren- the feelings of both patron and people.
dered himself so much an object of dis- Another attempt was made by the preslike among the people, that the aged byteryand the presentee to browbeat the
minister was obliged to remove him from  people, and when this failed, the whole
being assistant, in compliance with the matter was referred to the synod of
general feeling of the parish. When Moray.
the incumbent died, a presentation was  The synod met on the 24th of April
issued by the trustees of the Earl of Fife, 1838, and almost unanimously decided,
the patron, in favour of the same Mr. that the conduct of the presbytery of
John Edwards, and laid before the pres- Strathbogie had "been incompetent and
bytery of Strathbogie, on the 27th of illegal," and directed them to meet and
September 1837. Mr. Edwards was ap- find the presentee disqualified, according
pointed to preach, as usual, in the parish to the laws of the Church, and to intiof Marnoch, and a day was appointed mate this sentence to all parties concerned.
for moderating in the call. On that day The presbytery met, but refused to obey
the call was signed by proxies for the pa- this sentence; and the parishioners aptron and for three non-resident heritors, pealed to the General Assembly. The
but by one only of the heads of families case then came to the Assembly of May
on the roll of communicants, namely, 1838, where the proceedings of the presPeter Taylor, innkeeper, Aberchirder. bytery were reversed without a vote, and
At the same time dissents were recorded they were directed to reject the presentee,
by one resident heritor, the six elders and to give intimation to the parties concomposing the kirk-session, and by two cerned, in terms of the regulations of the
hundred and fifty-four heads of families, Assembly relative to the calling of minisin all two hundred and sixty-one, out of ters. The advocate of the presbytery
a roll of three hundred. It must have defended them by pleading, that they
been manifest to every person, that the merely wished to have the authority of
settlement of Mr. Edwards in a parish  he Assembly for rejecting  r. Edwards,
where he had previously officiated for that if they should be dragged into a civil
three years, and yet could get but one court, they might have its powerful supman, an innkeeper, to sign his call, could port.  Their subsequent actions fully
not possibly be for edification; that proved the insincerity of this plea. But
though there had been no Presbyterian the majority of the presbytery of Strathprinciple forbidding the intrusion of a bogie held the principles of Moderatism
pastor upon an un'illing congregation, and this explains their conduct.




408            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                [CHAP. X
Another presentation was issued by the or any appeal or complaint, in regard to
patrons in favour of Mr. David Henry, future proceedings in the settlement of the
the presbytery having so far obeyed the parish of Marnoch; enjoining the presinstructions of the supreme ecclesiastical bytery of Strathbogie, in the event of any
judicatoryas now to reject Mr. Edwards. change of circumstance, to report the
Upon this Mr. Edwards applied to the matter to the Commission, who shall have
Court of Sessions, encouraged by the re- power to determine thereon."  The Corncent encroachments of that court, praying mission accordingly took up the case,
that Mr. Henry should be interdicted from  immediately after the rising of the Aspresenting himself to the presbytery, and sembly, and' highly disapproved of the
that the presbytery should be interdicted conduct of the presbytery of Strathbogie,
from taking any steps towards his induc- in resolving, contrary to the principles of
tion, as injurious to the rights and privi- the Church, and the resolution of the
yeges which Mr. Edwards had acquired General Assembly 1838,'that the Court
by the previous presentation.  This was of Session have authority in matters relatgranted on the 30th June 1838; and on ing to the induction of ministers, and that
the same day Mr. Edwards raised in the it was the duty of the presbytery to subsame court an action of declarator against mit to their authority;' and in respect to
the presbytery of Strathbogie, the heritors their having come to such resolution, the
of the parish, &c., craving that it should Commission deemed it necessary to probe found and declared to the same effect hibit the said presbytery from taking any
with regard to this case as had been done steps towards the admission of Mr. Edby the court in the analogous case of wards before the next General Assembly,
Auchterarder.  This also was granted, in any event, as they shall be answerable."
and these documents were laid before the  Elated, apparently, by the decision of
presbytery of Strathbogie at their meeting the House of Lords, in the Auchterarder
in July. Mr. Henry's presentation was case, Mr. Edwards applied again to the
lodged at the same time; and the whole Court of Session for another declarator,
matter was delayed till next meeting. containing the very  conclusion from
The presbytery met again on the 17th of which that court had at first shrunk in
July, when it was moved, "That the the case referred to.   That conclusion
Court of Session having authority in was granted on the 13th of June 1839,
matters relating to the induction of minis- finding, " That the presbytery of Strathters, and having interdicted all proceed- bogie are still bound and astricted to make
ings on the part of the presbytery in this trial of the qualifications of the pursuer,
case; and it being the duty of the pres- Mr. Edwards, and, if found qualified, to
bytery to submit to their authority regu- receive and admit him as minister of the
larly interposed, the presbytery do delay parish of Marnoch."  This decision was
procedure until the matters in dispute be made known to the presbytery, and its
legally determined."  This vote was op- Moderate majority immediately resolved
posed, but carried by a majority of six to to disregard the injunctions of the superior
four, the actual state of the presbytery church courts, to which they had sworn
being seven of the Moderate and four of obedience, and to obey the mere opinion
the Evangelical party.  This decision of the Court of Session, to which they
was carried by appeal to the Synod, which' owed no obedience, nor even deference,
condemned the procedure of the presby- in spiritual matters.  They requested a
tery, but referred the case to the next prore nata or special meeting to be called,
General Assembly.                    for the purpose of taking this decree into
The Assembly of 1839 was so much consideration.   The meeting was called,
occupied in the important discussions *but so close upon the meeting of the Comwhich arose out of the recent adverse mission, that they could not have it in
decision of the House of Lords in the their power to execute any adverse deAuchterarder case, that they could not cision before that court could intercept
enter upon the consideration of that of their procedure. Enraged at this cautious
Marnoch, but remitted it to the Commis- conduct of their moderator, who most
sion, "with power to determine in the providentially was on the Evangelical
present reference, and any other reference, side, they broke up the meeting, and




A. D. 1839.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     409
would not look at the deliverance of the whether his clients would abstain from
Commission, which the moderator, Mr. further disobedience to the commands of
Dewar, had procured and laid on the their superior church judicatories, or
table.  This very disgraceful conduct of whether they were determined to persist
the majority was brought before the Comn- in the settlement of Mr. Edwards. He
mission at its meeting in November. when answered that he was not empowered to
the deliverances of the Assembly and of alter or modify the statements made in the
the Commission were ordered to be trans- report; whence it was evident that they
mitted to the presbytery, that they might were determined to proceed, and intrude
not be able to plead ignorance of their Edwards into the parish of Marnoch,
duty; and they were ordered to take contrary to the direct injunctions of the
them into consideration at their ordinary Assembly and Commission,-contrary to
meeting on the 4th of December, and to the fundamental principles of the Church,
appear. personally or by a legal agent, at -and contrary to the great doctrine of
a meeting of the Commission to be held the sole Sovereignty and HIeadship of the
on the 11th of the same month.        Lord Jesus Christ. To avert the perpeThe presbytery of Strathbogie met on tration of this complicated tissue of desthe 4th of December, the above mentioned potism and sin, the Commission was comdocuments were laid before them, the pa- pelled to suspend the seven delinquents
rishioners of Marnoch appeared by their from  the office of the ministry till the
agent, and requested to be heard in a meeting of Assembly, unless reponed on
statement of their objections to the settle- declaring that they would abstain from
ment of Mr. Edwards. The seven Mo- intruding Mr. Edwards upon the people
derate ministers of Strathbogie refused to of Marnoch, Mr. Edwards being also
hear the parishioners, or to record their prohibited from making further applicarefusal, so as to admit of an appeal being tion till next meeting of Assembly. This
taken, refusing also to receive the appeal motion was proposed by the Rev. Dr.
then offered,-overbore their better bre- Candlish, in a speech of extraordinary
thren in the most violent and outrageous eloquence, and carried by a majority of
manner,-and resolved " to act in opposi- one hundred and seven, the numbers betion to the prohibition served upon them  ing one hundred and twenty-one to fourby order of the Commission, and in obe- teen. In consequence of this sentence of
dience to the decree of the Court of Ses- the Commission, the seven Moderate and
sion; and further, resolved to sustain the Intrusionist ministers of Strathbogie ceascall [of one] in favour of the Rev. John ed to be capable of sitting in church
Edwards, and to proceed in the settlement courts, or performing validly any judicial
of the said Mr. Edwards, as presentee to or ministerial function; the four Evanthe church and parish of Marnoch, and gelical ministers became the only legal
appointed his trials in common form."  presbytery; and directions were given to
This motion was proposed by Mr. Allar- them, and to a committee, to provide a
dyce, and being carried by the majority supply of stated ministerial services in the
of seven, they next resolved, as if in parishes of the suspended ministers. The
mockery, to report the whole matter to suspended ministers immediately applied
the Commission.                       to the Court of Session for a suspension
The Commission met on the llth of of this spiritual censure, and for an interDecember, and the startling nature of the diet, to prevent the sentence from being
case brought together a greater number intimated in their respective parishes, and
of ministers from all parts of the country also to prevent any other minister from
than had ever been known to meet in preaching in these parishes. This vwal
Commission before. A long and anxious asking rather more than the court was ye
deliberation ensued; the parties were prepared to grant; but on the 18th of
heard by their counsel; and before pro- December an interdict was granted, proceeding to determine on the course to be hibiting the sentence from being intimated
pursued, the counsel for the seven Strath- in the churches, churchyards, or school
bogie brethren was repeatedly asked, houses of the respective parishes, and
also prohibiting all ministers firom preach- This is copied from their own statement in one of ing in the above specified places. To this
their interdict
52




410             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. X.
interdict obedience was given, so far as urged forward in their Christian course,
regarded the prohibition of using the with renewed zeal and faithfulness. The
churches, churchyards, or school-houses, Church was refreshed and re-invigorated.
these being civil matters, over which the Many whose hearts had begun to droop,
Court of Session has control; but the were encouraged, and constrained to desentence was intimated in the open air, or dare their belief, that God had visited his
in other convenient places, and ministers people; and that though cast into the furpreached in these parishes wherever the nace, the Church of Scotland could not
people could assemble to hear the gospel. be destroyed, for God was with her there;
Such was the state of matters at the and the shout of her Divine King was
conclusion of the year 1839; and it was again heard in the heart of the Scottish
now becoming apparent to the public, that Zion. The bush was burning, but unsuch a state of matters could not long con- consumed, for the Lord was in it.
tinue, without endangering the very ex-  [1840.] The year 1840 opened in the
istence of the Church, and the peace and midst of these scenes of trouble and of
welfare of the nation. Great exertions encouragement. In a spirit of calm rehad been made to blind, prejudice, and solution, the Church went forward in her
mislead the public respecting the cause sacred course; and in a spirit of furious
and nature of the contest. The cry of hostility, her enemies rushed onwards to
" rebellion" was loudly raised against the the assault. The Court of Session pro
Church, by some who ought to have nounced a judgment professing to suspend
known that, instead of rebelling, she was the sentence of suspension, and conseopposing a revolutionary violation of the quently to restore the seven ministers to
constitution; and by many who knew   the exercise of their spiritual functions;
nothing of the matter, but who hated the the partial interdict which they had
Church, and were glad of any opportunity granted was rendered perpetual; and the
to calumniate and assail her. The Vo- prohibition was extended to entire parluntaries, who had been defeated in argu- ishes of the suspended seven, so that no
ment, gazed on with eager delight, seeing minister of the Church of Scotland was
the Court of Session so energetically en- permitted to molest the seven by preachgaged in attempting to give a practical ing the gospel, even in the open air, in
confirmation of their main assertion, these parishes. This interdict could not
" that an Established Church forfeited its be obeyed without direct disobedience to
spiritual independence."  Political anta- the commands of Christ, to preach the
gonists swelled the crowd of false wit- gospel to every creature under heaven;
nesses, and re-echoed the insensate charge and the Church therefore acted on the
of rebellion; but never one of tnem spe- Divine principle, that it was right to obey
cified the law which had been broken, or God rather than man. And it must be
the act of rebellion which had been corn- gratefully recorded, that the Divine Head
mitted, and the penalty which had been of the Church honoured the preaching
incurred. In this time of peril and re- of those ministers who were sent to disproach God did not desert the Church, charge the duties of the ministry in the
nor withdraw his presence from her. On parishes of the suspended ministers, with
the 23d of July 1839, a very remarkable a very remarkable degree of spiritual
manifestation of the Holy Spirit's agency influence. The attention of the crowded
took place at Kilsyth, causing a revival audiences who waited on their ministry
of vital religion such as had not been in barns, or temporary erections, or the
witnessed in Scotland for nearlya century. open air, was deep, solemn, and often acNor was it confined to Kilsyth. At Dun- companied with profound emotion, and
dee, Perth, Blairgowrie, Ancrum, Jed- with gushing tears. The light of the
burgh, Kelso, throughout the presbytery gospel broke in upon a district which had
of Tain in Ross-shire, in Sutherlandshire, long been overshadowed with the midand in various other parts of Scotland, a night darkness of extreme Moderatism;
similar awakening took place; many and the people rejoiced in the holy and
sinners were converted and reclaimed heavenly radiance which shone around
from their evil ways, and cold and back- them.  Many ministers returned from
sliding believers were quickened and Strathbogie, praising God for the manifest




A. D. 1842.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    411
spiritual influence which they had both terminated his diplomatic labours, during
marked   and  felt, accompanying  the which he had succeeded in deceiving
preaching of the gospel in that district, many, with the production of a bill which
and counting all the perils of the Church, would have ratified every aggression made
and all their own perils from broken in- by the civil courts, set aside the principle
terdicts, more than compensated by what that no pastor may be intruded into a parthey had witnessed and enjoyed.  They ish contrary to the will of the congrega:
felt that the cause was unquestionably the tion, and left all the proceedings of the
cause of Christ, for they felt that His church courts subject to the review of the
presence had been with them.          Court of Session.*
At the same time it deserves to be pe-  The Assembly of 1840 had very imculiarly remarked, that the seven sus- portant duties to discharge, and it, under
pended ministers did not venture to com- the guidance of its Divine Head, displain to the Court of Session of the charged them well. The proceedings of
breach of interdict which had been ob- the Commission in the case of the sustained in absence.  Had they done so, its pended seven Strathbogie ministers were
validity would have been regularly tried; affirmed by a majority of eighty-four.
when there are strong reasons for believ- Those men were next declared liable to
ing that it would have been found incom- high censure for their conduct; but a:etent for any civil court to grant such an committee was appointed to confer with
interdict.  But it was a safer policy for them before proceedingto express censure,
them  to leave the point untried, raising, with a view to recall them to some sense
meanwhile, the clamorous outcry, " Obey of their duty, if that might yet be possible.
the law," which they dared not thus test They justified their conduct, and refused
if it were a law.                     to make any submission. It was then
In the meantime the committee which moved, that the sentence of suspension
had been appointed to confer with the should be continued; that they should
legislature, were exerting themselves to be cited to appear before the Commission
the utmost in the discharge of their im- in August; and that if then they still
portant duty.  Negociations were opened continued to refuse submission to the suand carried on with government and with perior church courts, a libel, or legal inthe most influential statesmen in both of dictment, should be served upon them,
the political parties in parliament. These and the Commission should proceed till
exertions were supported by petitions fiom  the case was ripe for the judgment of the
the people of Scotland, signed by no less next Assembly.  This motion was carthan two hundred and sixty thousand ried by amajority of sixty four,-the numnames of Scotland's best and most religious hers being.one hundred and sixty-six to
sons, praying for protection to the Church one hundred and two. The great lenienof their fathers, and to their own sacred cy and forbearance of this procedure will
rights and privileges. The government be at once manifest, when it is contrasted
at length declined to interfere, being ap- with the conduct of the Moderate party
prehensive, probably, that to help the during the administration of Principal
Church of Scotland might offend those Robertson, when ministers were instantly
of their supporters who were adherents deposed upon declining to intrude unworof the Voluntary principle.  The subject thy and unacceptable presentees upon
was then taken up by the Earl of Aber- reluctant congregations.  Lord Aberdeen, who had previously held intercourse deen's bill came next under consideration,
with the Assembly's committee, both in and was rejected by a majority of eightyinterviews and by letters.  Sanguine seven,-the numbers being two hundred
hopes were entertained by many that a and twenty-one to one hundred and thirbill would be introduced by that noble- ty-four.  This large majority rendered it
man, if not such as could be wished, at abundantly evident that the Church of
least such as would secure the spiritual  In April 1840, the Assembly's Committee published
independence of the Church against the a statement of two different methods by which a painvasion of the Court of Session, and cific adjustmelt might be effected,-the one founded
on the veto, the other on the direct call; and in a very
protect the people from the intrusion of short time three hundred and eighty ministers, and.unaccetable minister s.  l      o.dhi two thousand two hundred and thirty-three elders
Unacceptable ministers.  His ltordship publicly declared their satisfaction with either.




412             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. X.
Scotland would not consent to become the sacraments, in defiance of the sentence
again subject to Erastian domination, of the General Assembly; that on the
either through Moderate management, or 8th of June they had applied to the Court
in dread of civil pains and penalties, or of Session for an interdict against this remisled by the delusions of diplomatic newed suspension, and against the preachcraft.  At the same time the peril to the ing of any minister sent to officiate in
existence of the Establishment was in- their parishes; and that they had caused
creasing. The speeches of Dr. Cook copies of that interdict to be served on
and other Moderate leaders, their reasons ministers on the Sabbath-day, and on elof dissent against the decision of the As- ders while assisting at the communion,
sembly, and the countenance given to the and bearing the vessels of the sanctuary.
suspended seven, all tended to render ap- All these fearful acts of desecration were
parent the strong probability that, ere notorious, and nothing remained but to
long, the entire Moderate party would prepare a libel, or formal accusation,
throw aside the mask they had so long against them. The motion to that effect
worn, and declare themselves the avowed was carried by a majority of one hundred
supporters of Court of Session sove- and twenty-five,-the numbers being one
reignty, however incompatible with the hundred and ninety-one to sixty-six. The
sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ accusation was framed with great judgAn attempt was made by them to encour- ment and propriety, resting the main
age Lord Aberdeen to press his bill charge, not upon contumacy and insubthrough the legislature, by procuring as ordination,-though in the minds of
many signatures as possible to a decla- many that would have been enough,ration of satisfaction with its principles but upon their asking and receiving from
and its provisions. Only two hundred a civil court power to discharge the most
and sixty names of ministers were ob- sacred offices, when that power had been
tained; and, with the exception of about taken away by a spiritual court, by which
a dozen, these names were not such as to alone it can be either given or taken
shed lustre or confer strength upon any away.  This was evidently receiving
cause.  His Lordship withdrew his bill. from the civil magistrate the keys of docAnother attempt was made by the defeat- trine and discipline, which these men had
ed Moderates to unite their party by a sworn that the Church alone possesses,
bond of fraternal co-operation, in the when they subscribed the Confession of
great endeavour to recover their power to Faith; consequently it involved the soperpetrate intrusions, and to stifle the lemn and awful charge of denying the
voice of Evangelism.  But it, too, failed, great doctrine of the Redeemer's sole
for success was uncertain; and many Sovereignty, and desecrating the ordinanModerates who would have rejoiced in the ces of His Church by administering them
recovered ascendency of their party, were on the authority of the civil magistrate
not prepared to unite in a scheme which alone. It was evident, that if the civil
might involve personal and pecuniary court could remove the sentence of a spirconsiderations. It gave occasion, how- itual court, and give authority to dispense
ever, to an Engagement among the faith- spiritual ordinances, then it must itself
ful defenders of religious liberty and possess all possible spiritual power, or
evangelical truth, signed on the 11th of rather, then spiritual power had no exisAugust 1840, by which a close approach tence, and the Christian Church was but
was made to the sacred National Cove- an empty name.
nant of earlier, purer, and more devoted  At the meeting of the Commission in
times, and which may yet lead to the re- November, the Strathbogie case was renewal of that but half-forgotten, and, as sumed, and the relevancy of the libel
many think, still binding Covenant be- against the seven suspended ministers was
tween the deathless moral and religious sustained by a vote of ninety-one to fifbeing of the nation and the King Eternal. teen; that against Mr. Edwards by a
When the Commission met in August, vote of seventy-five to two. Unmoved by
it appeared that, instead of submitting, this almost unanimous expression of conthe suspended Strathbogie ministers had demnation,these men held on their course.
continued to preach, baptize, and dispense Mr. Edwards had been taken on trials




A. D. 1841,]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    413
by the suspended seven, on the 19th day And certain of their Lordships of Session
of February, and found qualified.  He did not hesitate to declare, that they held
then applied to them to proceed with his it competent for that court to issue an orsettlement. They hesitated and delayed, der compelling a minister to grant admisas rather reluctant to take the final step. sion to the Lord's Table. In this manIt may be that they had misunderstood the ner did the Court of Session advance,
law all along, even in that particular step by step, from their false position in
point on which they rested their cause. the Auchterarder case, when they repelled
They had argued often that they were the objection urged by the ecclesiastical
" bound and astricted to take the presen. courts against their assumption of juristee on trials; but the clause in the act diction in ecclesiastical matters till now;
1592 says, "bound and astricted to re- that they assertedjurisdiction in every ecceive and admit whatsoever qualified clesiastical matter, however sacred, virtualminister,"-leaving the whole matter of ly putting an end to all distinction between
taking on trials, and determining as to things civil and things sacred  annihilaqualifications, completely within the pow- ting, so far as they were able, all spiriter of the Church, and not touching the ual jurisdiction; assuming the " power
spiritual act of ordination at all, which of the keys," contrary to the express lanin another part of the same enactment is guage of the Confession of Faith, and
expressly said to " belong to the privilege the act of parliament by which it was
that God has given to the spiritual office- made the law of the land. No parallel
bearers in the Kirk."  They had, how- violation of law is to be found in the
ever, pronounced Mr. Edwards qualified, history of the Scottish Church and nation,
and they were now by their own act except the oath of supremacy in 1661,
bound to proceed to his settlement. On when Charles II. caused himself to be
the 2d of September he again applied to acknowledged supreme governor in all
his seven friends; and when they still causes, civil and ecclesiastical.
hesitiud, he caused a notorial protest  [1841.] The seventh year of Evanto be served on them, holding them liable gelical ascendency was about to comfor damages.  He then raised in the mence its round, every thing indicating
Court of Session an action against the that the struggle between the Church
entire presbytery of Strathbogie, both the and the world was rapidly approaching
suspended and the remaining members, to a crisis. With fierce eagerness the
concluding to have them decerned to ad- supporters of secular power strove to
mit him, and failing to do so, to have throw in fresh elements of discord and
them found liable for damages to the of danger, while the faithful defenders
amount of ~10,000, and ~100u additional of religious liberty and truth went calmfor expenses. When the case was heard ly and steadily forward in the discharge
in the court, the suspended seven declared of the sacred duties which they owed to
their willingness to admit Mr. Edwards, the Divine Head of the Church, regardif required;-thus consenting to that ing neither the threats nor the reproaches
court's pronouncing the order for admis- which they were called to encounter in
sion sought by Mr. Edwards. The mi- His cause.
nority, the true presbytery, gave in defen-  On the 4th of January 1841, the susces, disputing the jurisdiction of the court. pended ministers of Strathbogie met, reBut the court, while the question of their ceived a report of the proceedings in the
own power to grant such an order at all case of Mr. Edwards, resolved to prowas still under discussion in the defences ceed with his induction, and appointed
offered by the presbytery, actually gave, the 21st of the same month to be the day
on the 18th of December 1840, to those on which that deed should be committed
men who had been suspended from their A  heavy fall of snow on the 20th had
spiritual office, an order to perform a spi- rendered the roads almost impassable;
ritual function, and that simply bn the but the intense interest felt by the whole
ground of the consent of the seven, which adjacent country induced great numbers
could never confer on the Court of Ses- to crowd to the Church of Marnoch, to
sion a jurisdiction which did not belong the amount of probably not less than two
to it by the constitution of the empire. thousand. The suspended ministers also




414             HISTORY OF THE CHURCI OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
reachea -he spot, accompanied by Mr. himself or others, in procuring that
Edwards.   One of the elders of Mar- call,-he having no call but that signed
noch asked them for what purpose, and by Peter Taylor, and having used methby what authority, they had come. Their ods subversive of the constitution of the
moderator, with  hesitation, answered, National Church;-and to this most sothat they appeared as the presbytery of lemn question, " Are not zeal for the hoStrathbogie, a  part of the National nour of God, love to Jesus Christ, and
Church, assembled in the name of the desire of saving souls, yo?,r great moLord Jesus Christ.  The vast audience tives and chief inducements to enter into
shuddered to hear a statement so directly the office of the holy ministry, and not
contrary to truth, asserted in connection worldly designs and interests?-he anwith the Redeemer's name. Mr. Dun- swered audibly, Yes; while at the same
can, the legal agent for the parishioners, moments the decreets of the Court of Sesproduced his mandate, and being refused sion, all obtained on the sole ground of
the right of protest in the usual form, "worldly designs and interests," were
protested in the hands of a notary public. lying high-piled before them! At the
The protest was read aloud, narrating fearful response the vast crowd heaved
the tyrannical treatment which the pa- one long-drawn and deep gasp of awe
rishioners of Marnoch had endured, de- and horror-what crime they regarded
claring their readiness to prove objections that answer as involving, need not be
against the life and doctrine of Mr. Ed- named.  The dreadful vows were utwards before any lawful presbytery, dis- tered; the act of ordination was profaneclaiming the jurisdiction of the suspended ly imitated by the authority, not of the
seven, and protesting against the right Head of the Church, but of a subordiof Edwards to intrude himself upon nate civil court; and the perpetrators
them. This being done, the parishioners walked away from the scene amidst the
arose, took their Bibles in their hands, hisses of the people,-Edwards in fear,
and left the temple of their fathers, dese- though not in danger, crouching between
crated by the presence of these traffick- policemen, without one to welcome him,
ers in religious matters; aged men and even as stipend-lifter, —" a minister withwomen, vigorous manhood, and opening out a parishioner, a man without a
youth, all, all alike arose, and slowly, friend."
silently, and mournfully, many of them  Such was the atrocious deed done at
in tears, passed outwards into the open Marnoch on the 21st of January 1841,
snowy waste, banished, certainly by no -a deed to which the annals of the
court of Christ, from His Father's house Church of Scotland can furnish no paralof prayer.  Only one parishioner of lel.  For in all the violent settlements
Marnoch remained, being unable to ex- effected by the Moderates of former times
tricate himself from the agitated crowd there was still the authority of the Church,
of people from neighbouring parishes, a competent authority and the rightful
who had come to witness the appalling one, though in all such cases wrongfully
scene. Some confusion then followed, employed, involving the abuse, but not
these strangers not being able to repress the denial of Christ's sole sovereignty;
their indignation at the outrage which but the Marnoch crime was committed
they beheld their countrymen enduring. by men suspended from their spiritual
This was soon restrained by the presence functions, and by the authority of the
of a magistrate; the confined parishioner civil court alone, as if in scorn, certainly
of Marnoch obtained release and joined in violation, of every feeling of humanity,
his fellow-sufferers, and the dread scene every admitted principle in the constituwent on. The usual questions were put tion of Church and State, every recorded
to Edwards which are put to probation- example in the sacred Scriptures, and
ers at the time of their ordination, such every idea that can be conceived respect
as the vow of obedience to superior ing the nature of the sole Sovereignty and
church courts,-which at that moment Headship of the Divine Redeemer over
both they who imposed and he who took his spiritual kingdom.
were violating; the declaration that he  The sensation caused throughout Scothad used no undue methods, either by land by this renewal of the Moderate poli



A. D. 1841.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   415
cy of other days, cannot be described. gyle laid before the House of Lords, " a
Many even of the Church's opponents bill entitled an Act to regulate the exerbegan to be convinced that Moderate and cise of Church Patronage in Scotland."
Erastian  policy  must be  essentially The peculiar point of this bill was, that
wrong, when they saw the hideous re- it secured the great principle, " that no
suits to which it so directly led. Some pastor be intruded into a parish contrary
even of the Moderates, "ecoiled with to the will of the congregation," not peralarm from the thought of lending their haps in the best possible way, but so that
sanction to such a deed. But the recoil under its provisions no Marnoch atrocity
was temporary, and they soon returned could again be perpetrated. It is not neto the prosecution of their destructive cessary to do more than allude to the lancourse. The presentees to Lethendy and guage of misrepresentation and virulence
Auchterarder seemed to regret that they which certain noble lords disgrace themhad been so far outdone by the intruder selves by uttering against the Church of
of Marnoch. New actions were raised Scotland; but it deserves to be stated,
in the Court of Session; and on the 4th that Lord Chancellor Cottenham, on a
of March, that court found that the pres- subsequent day, declared, that the sole
bytery of Dunkeld were still bound to subject of appeal in the Auchterarder
take Mr. Clark on trials, this conclusion case was whether the presbytery were
being urged expressly with a view to- bound to take the presentee on trials, notwards ulterior proceedings to "reduce withstanding the veto of the communithe admission of Mr. Kessen," who had cants; that this was the whole extent of
already been ordained. And on the fol- the decision; and declined to give an
lowing day, 5th March, an action of opinion as to what had since taken place,
damages was granted against the presby- thereby certainly giving no countenance
tery of Auchterarder, at the instance of to the unprecedented proceedings of the
the Earl of Kinnoull and Mr. Young, Court of Session.
for ~5000 to his lordship, ~10,000 to the  The General Assembly of 1841 will
presentee, and ~1000 for expenses. The ever be regarded as one of the most mecourt has sustained the relevancy of this morable among those to which the reader
action for imposing damages on the mem- of Church history directs his special atbers of a spiritual court, which, even by tention.  The time to record its transthe statute law of the land, is so consti- actions fully has not yet come; but when
tuted, that every one of its members, in it comes, the historian will delight to
the very act of being admitted to his dwell upon the fearless and faithful bearoffice in it, is imperatively required, as a ing, the calm and Christian fortitude, the
condition of holding office, to vow to sub- lofty and commanding eloquence, and the
mit himself to his superior judicatories, clear majestic energy of sacred principle
and that for no offence but that of obe- which characterised the gifted men who
dience to the injunctions of these very met and bore back the sacrilegious agjudicatories.  This judgment of the gressions of civil power upon the spiritCourt of Session is under appeal.   ual kingdom of the Divine Redeemer.
At the meeting of the Commission in Nor will the names of Chalmers, and
March, the indictments against the sus- Gordon, and Cunningham, and Candpended seven of Strathbogie and Mr. Ed- lish, and Dunlop, be then held unmeet to
wards were found proven, and the cases rank with those of Knox, and Melville,
were referred to the General Assembly and Henderson, and Gillespie, and Warfor judgment. A motion was made by riston. But let it even now be recorded,
Dr. Candlish, expressive of sympathy that amidst all the efforts that were made
with the parishoners of Marnoch, and ad- to intimidate, or rouse to unseemly
miration of their behaviour in such try- warmth, the defenders of the Church,ing circumstances.  This was carried amidst all the fierce threatenings and
by a vote of seventy-two to one, the one malignant reproaches by which they
being Dr. Bryce, even the person who were incessantlyassailed,-they remained
seconded the motion not having sufficient unmoved, calm, solemn, resolved, like
effrontery to vote for it.           men who knew the might of their adverOn the 6th of May, the Duke of Ar- saries, but feared it not, knowing that the




416                HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                         [CHAP. X.
Lord God Almighty reigneth, and put- wards was declared null and void, and
ting  their  trust in   Hirn,-contending     the four remanent members of the presearnestly for the faith once delivered to bytery of Strathbogie were instructed to
the saints, but wielding the weapons of      proceed to the induction of Mr. Henry as
no  carnal warfare,-conscious       of the minister of Marnoch.       On the motion of
perils they had to encounter, yet careful Mr. Dunlop, an overture restoring to the
for nothing, but in every thing by prayer people their right of electing elders was
and supplication making their requests ordered to be transmitted to presbyteries,
known    to God,-and going forward in        previous to its being enacted into a standtheir Master's service, strong in the Lord   ing law.    This most important mensure
and in the power of his might.      "Sure- had been under discussion since 1834, as
ly,' was the solemn thought of many an       essential to the restoration of the Churxch
awe-struck   spectator, "surely the pre- to a state of purity and efficiency, and
sence of God is here."                       was now carried by a majority of eightyThe main acts of this Assembly may         nine, completing the reformation of the
be very briefly    stated.   Mr.   Wright, Church fiom the abuses of Moderatisn,
minister of Bothwicl, was deposed for Directions were also given to proceed by
heresy, by a majority of one hundred         libel against refractory probationers when
and ten.   A motion declaring patronage      applying to civil courts for suspension of
to be a grievance, injurious to the in- the decisions of ecclesiastical courts, with
terests of religion, the main source of the  express reference to the cases of Auchdifficulties in which the Church is in- terarder, Lethendy, and Marnoch.               It
volved, and that its abolition is neces- may be mentioned also, that the deposed
sary to place the appointment of ministers seven applied to the Court of Session for
on  a right and     permanent basis, was an interdict to prohibit the Assembly fiom
made by Mr. Cunningham, and, after a         passing and intimating the sentence of
long and able debate, was lost by the deposition, obtained it, and attempted to
narrow   majority of six.    The unprece- serve it, after the sentence had been prodented   strength   of the anti-patronage    nounced, when it could be of no possible
party proved clearly, that the mind of       avail, except it were for the sole purpose
the Church was taking the right direc- of offering an insult to the supreme ection to obtain security against the corrupt- clesiastical court, even while its proceeding influence of secular interference in     ings were sanctioned     by the lord high
things spiritual, and secular aggression, commissioner, her majesty's representaby aiming at the abolition of the hostile tive.     Perhaps it was fitting, that those
element.   And though not yet successful, who had done their utmost to violate the
the hour of victory cannot now be distant,
thehoura of victhory cannotnow be distant, protest appeared next day in the public newspapers,
several of those who opposed the motion      containing an additional clause, declaring that the prohaving declared, that if the efforts then    testers meant to hold comrmunnin with the deposed
seven. The document had been ordered to lie onil the
in progress for securing the efficacy of     table till next. day, before being taklen into consideration,
the  Ton-Intrusion principle    should fail to allow time for cool reflection to moderate the heat
the Non-Intuon pinciple sol  fail, of the defeated party. The Assembly then refused to
they would unite with those who sought receive such a protest and declaration, the constitutionredress by  abolition of patronage.  A  al procedure being, for members, when they could not
redress by an a     tion o patronage.     A  conscienti ously concur, to express a dissent from. but
motion approving of the DtkIle of Argyle's not a protest and declaration against, a decision of the
supreme court It was noticed also, that the paper
bill was carried    by a majority of one actually on the table did not contain the schismatic
clause which appeared in the newspapers, Dr. Cook
hundred and twenty-five.      A motion to0     al     c admitting that it did not, and saying that steps had
depose the seven suspended ministers of      been taken to correct the published error; adding,
"that it would be a matter of deep lamentation to him
Strathbogie was carried -by a majority of    if any thing should occur which would lead him to
r 0irnptr pvp-n, and thp-ir wprp flp-nrspi ac  bring th'ese sad evils up)on the Church, the prospect of
ninety-seven, and they were dewhich filled him wiith dismay." From this pacific tercordingrly.*   The settlement of Mr. Ed- mination of a procedure which had threatened an immediate schism, hopes began to be entertained that the
It must be noted, that when the motion for deposi- Moderates were at length about to consent to a cessation was carried, Dr. Cook, as the leader of his party, tion of hostilities, and to allow a time of iquiet, till a
read a declaration and protest against this decision, in final adjustment of the perilous contest might be obwhich he and those adl tering to him declared that they tained. These hopes were soon dispelled, and ample
" could not cease to regard these men as still ministers, reason given to believe, that tle pacific change made
just as if the proceedings against them had never been on the protest had been merely a stratagem, inteinded
instituted;" adding, that " although in the present case to gain time till their schemes shoul be matured and
they did not submit to the judgment of the General their full strength mustered, that they might then reAssembly, they would endeavour faithfully to discharge sume the conflict, and render it a war of extermination.
the duties which, as office-bearers in the Established (See the published Report of the Assembly's ProceedChurch, they were bound to perform." A copy of this ings.)




A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    417
British constitution should insult at once very essence of their guilt consisted
the most venerable institution in the em- in their voluntary application to the
pire and the representative of the sove- civil court, to which in such matters the
reign.                               constitution of the empire had declared
It is difficult to say whether astonish- that they were not subordinate, after they
ment or fury predominated among the had received the most explicit instrucdefeated Moderates.  They had all along tions and commands of the supreme ecu
vainly imagined that their Evangelical op- clesiastical court, which they had solemnponents would act as they would have done ly vowed to obey. This is the truth;
themselves, and that when brought to the and future times will know what term to
closing shock of the encounter, they apply to those who have dared to assert
would waver and recoil. They could the contrary.
scarcely yet believe that their seven  On the 9th of June, an interdict was
champions, or rather victims, were indeed granted by the Court of Session, prohibitdeposed. But recovering a little from  ing the presbytery of Auchterarder from
their stunning amazement, they set them- proceeding to the settlement of a minister
selves to counteract the moral influence in the pastoral charge of that parish, on
of the Assembly's procedure by every such maintenance as might be secured
artifice which the vindictive feelings of to him by the parishoners; as if to say
defeated despotism could devise. Meet- that in the opinion of that secular court,
ings were held to express sympathy with the usurpation of patronage must be
the deposed seven.   At these "sym- maintained, though at the expense of
pathy meetings" were seen collected Epis- thereby suppressing the preaching of the
copalians, Voluntaries, and men of no re- gospel and the pastoral cure of souls.
ligious profession at all, banded together  Gathering courage from the prospect
in strange alliance against the Church of of an early political change, which they
Scotland  in her defence of the Re- expected to be likely to strengthen their
deemer's crown.  In each and all of cause, the defeated Moderates began to
them language full of distorted perver- adopt a more perilous course of procedure
sions and exaggerated mis-statements was than any on which they had previously
vehemently employed; till, in concen- ventured. Some of their leading men
trated bitterness, the leading enemy of went as a deputation to London; and,
the Church had the hardihood to declare while there, published what they termed
in his place in the House of Lords, that "A  Statement for the Presbytery of
the Strathbogie delinquents had been de- Strathbogie, and for the Minority of the
posed " simply and exclusively for their late General Assembly."  The leading
obedience to the law of the land."  Let principle of this statement was the weak
the direct truth be stated, and deliberate- and common fallacy so often refuted, and
ly considered. In the indictment against leading to such pernicious consequences,.
these men   there were nine distinct that when the civil court pronounces any
charges involving the violation of their matter to be within its jurisdiction, it is
ordination vows, their desecration of within its jurisdiction, however sacred in
divine ordinances, and their overt acts its own nature it may be, and that ecclesubversive of the constitution and laws siastical courts are immediately bound to
of the Church, and directly opposed to submit to every such encroachment,, and
the great and sacred principle of Christ's to obey every decision founded upon it,
Sovereignty and Headship,-each and -a theory which ends in the most comall purely ecclesiastical offences, arising plete and perfect Erastianism. In the
out of their own spontaneous movements, conclusion of this new Moderate maniand not one of which the law had ordered festo, its fabricators suggested, that in
them  to commit.   They of their own order to secure their ultimate triumph,
accord applied to the Court of Session to the law-officers of the crown should be
know. whether, in the opinion of that instructed to conduct at the public charge
secular court, they ought to do certain all such prosecutions and actions at law
ecclesiastical deeds; they received but an as might arise out of disputed settlements,
opinion, and no order exposing them to similar to that of Marnoch; complacently
penalties should they disobey; and the adding, that with such an arrangement
53




418             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.               [CHAP. X.
they "would have much reason to be containing an authentic account of what
satisfied."  Doubtless they would; so had taken place in the district of Straththat if they could neither match their bogie, and naming the ministers who had
faithful brethren in argument, nor over- assisted the deposed men to desecrate the
awe them by threats, they might at last sacrament.  Then a motion was made,
wear them out by expensive suits at law that while conference should be held with
and ruinous fines, their own personal these men, with the view of reclaiming
comforts and pecuniary resources re- them, information should be given to the
maining the while untouched. Further several presbyteries having jurisdiction
to hasten on the crisis, they resolved to over the ministers named in the report,
hold ministerial intercourse with the de- that they might institute disciplinary proposed, contrary to their own declaration ceedings, and proceed in the matter acat the recent Assembly, when giving cording to the laws of the Church.  And
their reasons of dissent from its sentence to avert, if still possible, the danger and
of deposition.  And in this they pro- the sin of schism, a committee was apceeded so far as to assist these laymen, pointed to address to the said brethren a
as they unquestionably were after they solemn remonstrance and warning, showhad been deposed, in the desecration of ing the guilt of their conduct, and apthe sacrament of the Lord's supper. pealing to all their better principles and
This, they well knew, was an act which feelings, not thus to persevere in rending
the Church of Scotland could not avoid asunder the venerable and blood-bought
regarding as a heinous sin, and which Church of their fathers. This motion
therefore she could not permit to pass un- was carried by a majority of sixty to thirpunished, without participating in its teen. But all the attempts of the Evanguilt.  Theyhad recorded their dissent; gelical majority to avert a schism  and
they were at perfect liberty still to declare procure a pacific arrangement were in
and to maintain their sentiments; and vain. Dr. Cook and Mr. Robertsontheacthere rested upon them no peculiar obli- knowledged leaders of their party, gave in
gation to desecrate the ordinances of reli- reasons of dissent, the conclusion of which
gion in those seven parishes of Strath- was as follows: " Because the resolution
bogie, which at the Assembly they had, now sanctioned puts an end to all hope
as a party and by the mouth of their of devising any measure by which the
leader, disclaimed the intention of doing; members of the Church might be united,
but they hoped to involve their opponents and imposes upon us, and upon all who
in the necessity of deposing so great a agree with us in the opinion which we
number for having committed this new  have repeatedly expressed as to our precrime, as to give them some plausible sent distressing condition, to take such
ground for raising the loud outcry of steps as may appear most effectual for
tyranny and oppression, with a view to. ascertaining from  competent authority,
induce the civil power to arm and hasten whether we who now dissent, and they
to the rescue. How strongly is this tor- who concur with us, or they who continue
tuous, worldly, and cruel policy con- to set at naught the law of the land and the
trasted with the simplicity of the gospel, decisions of the supreme courts in what
and the mild and much-enduring spirit we esteem a civil right, are to be held by
of Christianity!                      the legislature of the country as constiSuch was the new aspect of affairs tuting the Established Church, and as
when the commission met on the 11th of entitled to the privileges and endowments
August. The conduct of the Moderate conferred by statute. upon the ministers
party had brought on the long-expected of that Church."
crisis; and it was now manifest, that un-  The plain meaning of this is suffiless they should retrace their steps, or ciently obvious. Moderatism now threw
the Church should at last prove unfaith- off all disguise, and openly avowed its
ful to her principles, a great and irre- intention to apply to the legislature to
parable schism was at hand. But the have itself declared the Church of ScotDivine Head of the Church did not with- land, and having the sole right to the
draw  His presence from  her in. this privileges  and  endowments  of that
momentous hour. A report was read, Church, to the exclusion of Evangelism,




A. D. 1841.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   419
and of every minister who continued to central source, but aroused by the im.
hold that, in the words of the Confession minent danger of our Scottish Zion, and
of Faith, which is the law of the land, eager to take their position on the high
" There is no other Head of the Church places of the field. and to peril all that
but the Lord Jesus Christ,"-that, " As the heart holds dearest, and even life
King and Head of His Church, He hath itself if necessary, in defence of religious
therein appointed a government in the liberty, and of the Redeemer's glorious
hand of church-officers, distinct fiom the crown.  The area of the church was
civil magistrate,"-and that " The civil crowded by about twelve hundred minismagistrate may not assume to himself the ters and elders, and the double galleries
administration of the Word and sacra- of that huge fabric were densely filled
ments, or the power of the keys."    with one compact continuous mass of
There was manifestly no further use Scotland's dauntless God-fearing men
for argument; that was at an end. The and prayerful pious matrons. One heart
appeal was to be made to the legislature, but seemed to throb within, one spirit to
to the country, and to God. To the inspire, the whole vast multitude,-the
legislature it was necessary to show how heart that, fearing God, can have no other
many congregations they would deprive fear,-the spirit that, worshipping God,
of their faithful and beloved pastors, if can bow before him alone.
they should comply with this Moderate  The Moderator of the late General
request. An extraordinary meeting of Assembly, the venerable Dr. Gordon,
Commission was accordingly held on the was chosen to preside. In a solemn
25th of August, when a series of resolu- spirit-stirring tone did that distinguished
tions were proposed, promptly and de- man declare his firm adherence to the
cisively encountering the threatened dan- great principles for which the Church of
ger, reasserting the sacred principles of Scotland is contending, and his settled
the Church, enumerating the aggressions determination to maintain them at all
which had been made by the civil courts hazards, and whatever the consequences
on her constitutional spiritual jurisdiction, might be. Brilliant and powerful as had
declaring a calm and settled determina- often been the eloquence of Dr. Candlish,
tion to maintain unimpaired those hal- on that great night he far outshone himlowed rights and privileges which are self, the hearts of three thousand auditors
derived from the Divine Redeemer alone heaving, trembling, and glowing beneath
or to perish in their defence; yet, in the the might of his living and burning
forgiving spirit of Christianity, offering a words.  A deputation from the Irish
conference with the erring brethren, if Presbyterian Church was present, eager
even now they might be reclaimed from  to tell that a million of Erin's warmtheir guilty and disastrous career. These hearted children were ready to take their
resolutions were opposed by one member, stand beside their Scottish brethren,
who could not find any person to second should it again be necessary to spread
his motion, then passed in probably the abroad the dreadless and unconquered
largest meeting of Commission ever old blue banner on the free winds of
known, and one dissentient voice was heaven. And not a few of those strongrecorded. A meeting was held on the minded, enterprising men, of Scottish
same evening in the West Church, ex- birth and blood, who had long been setpressly limited to those who approved of tied in England's wealthier regions, were
the conduct of the Church, and were also there, anxious to testify that their
willing to encounter every hazard in her warmest love and dearest hopes were
defence. This was the greatest meeting with their country still, and that they
which had been held in Scotland since held it still their highest duty and most
the ever-memorable day on which the precious privilege to rally round the
National Covenant was signed in the venerable and beloved Church of their
Grayfriars' church-yard.  From south fathers in her hour of peril. Yet eve:.
to north, from east to west, the best and in the midst of the strong excitemen
holiest office-bearers of the Church of caused by such a scene, the prevailing
Scotland, elders and ministers, came spirit was deep, grave, and solemnly reliforth, drawn by no urgent call from any gious; and when at the close of the pro



420             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. X,
ceedings, the 122d psalm was given out in warding off impending dangers, and
to be sung, ail with one spontaneous im- endeavouring to effect a happy and a
pulse arose, and from three thousand peaceful issue out of all the troubles by
tongues at once poured forth in thunder- which the Church of Scotland is now
ous melody the'sublime anthem of prayer surrounded, the ministers and elders preand praise to God.                   sent declaring their resolution to stand by
A series of resolutions, suited to the each other and bythe Church in the mainemergency, and instinct with the calm tenance of these principles, to which they
deliberate courage of Christian faith, again avow their determined adherence,
having been proposed to this great meet- praying AlmightyGodthatHewouldgive
ing, received its warm and unanimous them strengthto maintain them to the end."
approval. They bore, (' That this alarm-  The Church of Scotland thus calmly,
ing crisis was to be regarded as a solemn firmly, and decisively took her ground,
call for prayerful deliberation, in an declared her principles, and committed
humble dependence on Almighty God herself to the protection of her only Head
for strength and wisdom to meet and en- and King, looking to Him alone for
dure the trial; that the great principles strength to meet the conflict, fortitude
of' the freedom of the Church from secu- under the trial, and a peaceful victory in
lar control in the exercise of the spiritual His own all-wise and gracious time.
government and discipline committed to Princes and people alike were constrained
her by her Divine Head,' and'that no to hear her solemn declaration and her
pastor shall be intruded on a congrega- dignified appeal. And it became inevitation contrary to the will of the people,' ble that the question must be asked at the
cannot be abandoned, and must, at what- legislature and the whole community,
ever hazard, and in the midst of whatever and must gravely and deliberately. be
troubles, be steadfastly maintained; that answered by both, whether the National
the fundamental principle avowed by Church was to be composed of the adthose who seek to have themselves recog- herents of a system which had thrust out
nized as exclusively constituting the Es- a third of the population, protected heresy
tablished Church of Scotland, would be and immorality, opposed Christian missubversive of the government appointed sions, and prohibited the communion of
bythe Lord Jesus in His Church, would believers,-a system which would still
sanction such desolating settlements as surrender every thing sacred and spiritual
that of Marnoch, and cannot be submitted to the control of the secular powers, and
to by those holding the principles set would deliberately perpetrate atrocities
forth in the preceding resolution; that like that of Marnock: or whether it
even should those who hold these princi- should be composed of those who hold,
ples be thrust out from the Establishment, teach, and maintain the principles cornthey might still, adhering to the people, mitted to the Church by her only Head
and the people to them, and all co-operat- and King, as contained in the Scriptures,
ing in one common cause and supported and embodied in the Standards, and enby one common fund, be the Church of forced in the government and discipline
the nation, so that the danger with which of that true Presbyterian Church which
the Presbyterian Church is threatened takes for its rule the Word of God alone;
may be calmly contemplated and fear- which was planted in our land by the
lessly met, while at the same time, with firm hand of our great reformers, and
firm unshrinking front, and in well-com- watered by the blood of our martyred
pacted union, and in reliance upon Divine fathers; which was ratified by the Reaid, every effort must be made to avert so volution Settlement; whose secured ingreat a calamity, and to add yet another tegrity is the very basis of the Union,
triumph in this land to the cause of and the safeguard of the British constituChrist's crown and kingdom; and that tion; whose noble characteristic it has
this meeting resolve to co-operate in the ever been, to give education to the young,
formation of committees, local and gene- and to preach the gospel to the poor;
ral, for the purpose of securing complete and whose glorious distinction among all
harmony of knowledge and feeling, unity Christian Churches it has been, and still
of exertion, and concentration of energy, is, to suffer in defence of the Divine Re



A. D. 1843.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                        421
deemer's mediatorial crown. And though peril, and to triumph in the strength of
there  were  some   preliminary  stages her Divine Head, or to perish gloriously
through which the conflict had to pass, in his sacred cause.  It seems expedient,
before that momentous question could be therefore, to trace briefly the outline of
so cleared from all extraneous, or merely the rrost important of those events which
concomitant matter, that it might be put in a manner hedged in the path of the
directly and alone, in a manner becom- Church, leaving her but one course of
ing its great and solemn importance; procedure-to go forward-unless she
yet it was not doubtful to discerning were prepared to abandon all her most
minds, that the progress of events was sacred and cherished principles, and to
rapidly reducing the controversy to its become the degraded slave of civil courts.
primary elements, and hastening to pro-    The extraordinary meeting of Comduce a crisis, not merely in the history mission, held on the 25th of August
of the Church of Scotland, but in the re- 1841, in consequence of the declaration
iigious history of the world.           of the Moderate party, that they meant to
take steps for ascertaining whether they
or the majority were to be regarded as
constituting the Established Church,led, as has been related, to the adoption
CHAPTER       XI.             of a series of resolutions, in which the
leading principles of the Church were
Introductory Remarks-Progress of the Controversy- plainly stated, and her determination to
The Liberum Arbitrium-The Culsalmond Case- The
Middle Party-Meeting of the Assebrly —Outline of maintain them  at all hazards solemnly
its Proceedins~-Remarks on the Position thus final- declared.  So far the wrfare  of arguly Assumed by the Church-The Commission of August-Second Decision in the Auchterarder Case-  ment seemed to be at an end; for both
THE CONVOCATION-Sir James Grahnm's Letter-  i 
Reply of the Commission-The Stewarton Case-parties had declared their principles and
Deputations sent through Scotland, or Preparations determinations; and it seemed only to rebeutn flr a Disruption- Discussimots in the House of
Corlmmons-Proceedings of the Civil Courts and te main for the Legislature to decide to
oderate Prty-Cotinued Peparations-State of hich of them it meant to give its ancAffairs at the Meeting of the Assemly-THE I - which of them  t meant to givets
TION-THE FREE AssEMBLY-Its Proceedings-The tion and support.  This, however. was
Proceedings of the Erastianized Assemnbly-Lord
Aberdleen's Bill-Progress of the Free Church-  rather a delicate matter.  The new adBicentenary Commemtoration of the Westminster ministration had scarcely assumed their
Assembly-ConclluldingRemarks           ministration had scarcely assumed their
Assembly-Concluding Remarks.
offices, and it would have been a very
THIE proceedings of the Church of rash course for them suddenly to have
Scotland in the General Assembly of adopted the views of the minority, at the
1842, may be regarded as having fully hazard, if not with the certainty, of ejectdeveloped, so far as that depended on the ing the majority of the Church, thereby
Church, all the leading principles of her ensuring its speedy overthrow.  There
constitution, involved in the late struggle, was instituted also, about the same time,
as exhibited in her Standards.   These a series of negotiations, conducted chiefly
had all been, at different times, fairly and through the medium of Sir George Sinearnestly stated and defended by the evan- clair, with the General Assembly's Nongelical and reforming party; but some Intrusion Committee.      These   negotiaof them  had not received the due sanc- tions have been since published; and
tion of a majority, so that they remained they show sufficiently, that the object of
in comparative abeyance, many being Government wras to induce the Church
afraid to bring them prominently and au- to accept Lord Aberdeen's bill, formerly
thoritatively forward, lest the hostility of rejected, and again produced, with the
opponents should be increased both in ex- insertion of a clause prepared by Sir
tent and degree.  But the course of events George Sinclair, the effect of which
gradually led even the most cautious to seemed to be, to enable the Church courts,
perceive, that all temporising expedients in the exercise  of their discretionary
were and nust be in vain; and that the liberty ofjudgment, to reject a presentec
time was at length come for the Church if they should be of opinion that the ob
of Scotland openly to declare all her jections and reasons against his settleprinciples, and to take the ground on ment, entertained by the     parishioners,
which she was willing to encounter every were so strong, or entertained by such a




422             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI
proportion of them, as to preclude the was repeatedly thrown into a state of
prospect of his ministrations proving great agitation and alarm, lest the Church
useful to that particular congregation. should be induced to consent to an unThis discretionary liberty of the Church satisfactory measure. This alarm  was
courts received the designation of a industriously increased by the periodical
Liber'um Arbitrium, and a long, tedious, press favourable to the Moderate party,
and intricate course of diplomatic man- for the purpose, apparently, of sowing
agement was pursued by statesmen and distrust between the Church and the
lawyers, with the view, apparently, of people,-confidently asserting that the
deluding the Non-Intrusion Committee Non-Intrusionists were willing to abandon
into the belief that it would indeed enable all their principles, and to accept any setthe Church to give effect to her own fun- tlement which might secure to them their
damental principle in each specific case, emoluments, let the issue with regard to
although not by means of a general law. the rights of the people be what it might.
But at length it appeared that the con- Never, perhaps, was the Church of Scotventional term, mutually employed by land in greater peril than during the
both the Government and the Church, course of these diplomatic transactions;
was understood by each party in a man- and for a time it seemed as if she was
ner essentially different from  that in fairly ensnared by the tortuous policy of
which it was understood by the other. weak expediency-framing friends and
The Church understood it to secure to wily statesmen. And when these mazy
the presbyteries the power of refusing to entanglements were rent asunder, and
intrude any presentee into a parish con- she was again placed on the fiee and
trary to the will of the people, merely in open path of rectitude, her deliverance
consequence of their declared unwilling- was regarded by wise and pious men, as
ness to receive him as their pastor. The nothing less than the signal interposition
Government understood it to mean the of Divine Providence, guided by the unpronouncing of a judgment upon the ob- erring and gracious hand of her Eternal
jections or reasons stated by the people King.
against the presentee, with liberty to the  While these diplomatic proceedings
presbytery to give effect to these objec- were in progress, various other events
tions or reasons, by adopting them  as took place, which must be briefly stated.
their own, and thereby giving them judi- Two different papers were drawn up by
cial validity, but that the absolute fact of the Non-Intrusion Committee, and prethe people's continued opposition was not sented to Government, containing in very
to form itself the ground of the presby- clear and explicit language, a statement
tery's decision. In reality, a settlement of the leading principles of the Church
of the controversy, on a ground so am- of Scotland involved in the present conbiguous, would have been equally dis- test, a summary of the facts which had
graceful to the Church and insulting to occurred during its course, and a view of
the people; it would have destroyed one the various methods by means of which
of her fundamental principles, and le- these principles might be most easily and
galised possible intrusion.  No sooner efficiently realized. In the opinion of
was that clearly seen, in spite of the unprejudiced men, these two papers, the
misty illusions of diplomatic craft, than " Memorial" and the " Statement," ought
the Non-Intrusion Committee declared to have enabled the Government fully to
against any such mode of settlement, ex- understand the matter, and might have
pressing their views in such plain terms, convinced them that they would best disthat the Secretary of State for the Home charge their own duty, and promote the
Department (Sir James Graham) found peace and welfare of the empire, by passit impossible to evade returning a direct ing a legislative enactment, securing to
answer, which he did in language of an the Church the free exercise of those
ungracious, if not insulting character; great constitutional principles which she
and all further negotiations between Go- had declared to be essential to her very
vernment and the Church on that basis existence. As if to counteract the effect
terminated.                          which these documents might produce,
During these negotiations the country the Moderate party also drew up a " Me



A. D. 1842.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,                  423
morial," addressed to her Majesty's Go- these duties being discharged in the invernment, prepared, it appears, by a terim by the Rev. William Middleton, as
Committee appointed by that party in an ordained assistant.  The patron at
August. This Memorial may be re- length issued a presentation in favour of
garded as one of the most important Mr. Middleton, which was sustained by
documents produced during the whole the presbytery in the usual form. On
course of the controversy.  It contains a the 28th of October 1841, the presbytery
statement of the principles held by the met at Culsalmond to moderate in the
Moderate party, in their own language, call. It then appeared that there was a
and set forth by their own authority; and majority of male heads of families comthe most decided opponent of Moderatism  municants dissenting from the settlement
could not possibly wish for better mate- of Mr. Middleton as their pastor. The
rials on which to proceed in condemning majority of the presbytery (seven to five)
that system as essentially Erastian and refused to sustain this dissent as a reason
unscriptural, and also, by irresistible to stop procedure according to the standlogical inference, unchristian, and lead- ing directions of the General Assembly,
ing, as even Sir George Sinclair per- and determined to proceedwith appointing
ceived, to infidelity.  There is no reason a day for the settlement, as if no dissents
to suppose that those by whom the Me- had been offered, defending this course by
morial was prepared and subscribed were the assertion that the Veto Act was illegal.
fully aware of its true character, and of The people, by their law-agent, then ofthe conclusions to which it inevitably led; fered special objections against the settlebut while this consideration may exonerate ment, but the majority refused to receive
them fiom moral guilt, at the expense of these objections.  The minority of the
their intellectual capacity, it the more presbytery  complained, and protested
strongly proves the baleful character of against this conduct, appealing to the
Moderatism itself, which both involves synod; as did also the people, in due
such consequences, and blinds and dead- form. But the majority, setting all usual
ens its adherents.                   forms at defiance, refused to receive these
The hostile attitude assumed by the complaints and appeals, and determined
Moderates was rendered more determined, to proceed to the settlement on an appartly by the fact, that several of their pointed day, contrary to a special act of
leading men had not merely preached in Assembly passed in 1732, prohibiting
the pulpits still held by the deposed presbyteries from completing a settlement
Strathbogie Seven, but had also assisted when an appeal has been taken. On the
at the pretended dispensation of the Sacra-1 th of November 1841, the presbytery
ment of the Lord's Supper, conducted by again met, and, contrary to all legal and
men wh were no longer ministers of the ordinary procedure, and in the midst of
gospel; and partly by a new act of un- great confusion, caused by their own arconstitutional violence  committed  by bitrary and oppressive conduct, went
another northern presbytery. Proceed- through the form of inducting Mr. Midings had been instituted against the minis- dleton, not in the church, but in a private
ters who had held communion with the room in the manse.  The Commission
deposed seven, in the presbyteries to of the General Assembly, upon a petition
which they respectively belonged: but in fiom the parishioners, cited the parties
consequence of protests and appeals, all complained against to answer before the
these cases were referred to the next supreme Church courts; and in the
General Assembly.  The new cause of meantime prohibited Mr. Middleton from
collision arose out of the proceedings of officiating in the parish, and appointed
the Presbytery of Garioch, in the case the minority of the Presbytery of Garioch
of a presentation to the parish of Culsal- to provide for the administration of sacred
rnond. The main facts of the case were ordinances in the parish of Culsalmond.
as follows:-                         Mr. Middleton, and the majority of the
The Rev. Ferdinand Ellis, minister of presbytery,applied to the Court of Session
Culsalmond parish, in the Presbytery of to suspend the proceedings of the ComGarioch, had, it appears, been laid aside mission,-to interdict the intimation or
from his official duties for several years, execution of its deliverance,-and to in



424             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI,
terdict also the minority of the presbytery sition made up of compromises and confrom obeying the directions of the Com- cessions, on which a settlement might
mission. This interdict was refused by possibly be effected. At the meeting of
the Lord Ordinary (Lord Ivory); but, the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, in April,
being carried before the First Division a declaration was laid before that court
of the Court of Session, was granted as by Dr. Leishman, subscribed, as was
craved, on the 10th of March 1842.  In said, by forty ministers, expressing their
this case the warfare of actions certainly anxiety for a settlement, and giving it as
carried both the Moderate party and the their opinion, that they could consciencivil courts beyond their former hostile tiously submit to Lord Aberdeen's bill,
positions.  The Moderate majority of the with the insertion of Sir George Sinclair's
Garioch Presbytery, contrary even to the clause, if that were passed into a law.
usual and declared course of that party, This was the first public divulgement of
refused to receive  special objections the course of policy intended to be
against the presentee; and refused also pursued by the middle party; as it was
to stay procedure, in consequence of ap- then stated that they had entered into
peals to superior Church courts, contrary communication with Sir. James Graham,
to all former usage, as well as to express and entertained sanguine expectations
act of Assembly.  The civil courts, on that a settlement not absolutely intoleratheir part, reviewed and interdicted a sen- ble might yet be obtained. It further
tence of the Church court, when no civil appeared, from a speech of Dr. M'Culinterest was directly involved, but when loch of Kelso, that while he had joined
a superior ecclesiastical court was inter- the middle party, and was willing to aid
posing to check the disorderly conduct them with all his influence, he enterof a subordinate court in a matter unde- tained such opinions as would have perniably spiritual.                     mitted him to submit to the entire sacriIt has been stated that the Non-Intru- fice of the Non-Intrusion principle itself.
sion Committee ceased to hold intercourse This might have pleased the Moderates,
with Government, upon discovering the but must have galled many of the forty,
essentially different interpretations put by who sincerely detested intrusion, but had
them and those with whom they had been been drawn, by their love of peace, into
corresponding, respecting the meaning what thus threatened to become an abanof that phrase, the Liberu'm Arbitrizm, or donment of principle.  Still the report
free discretionary power of presbyteries, was most industriously propagated, that
which had been proposed as the basis of the middle party was increasing with
a settlement. But there was a small mi- prodigious rapidity, and would very soon
nority of that committee who still con- form a majority of the entire Church of
tinued to think that a settlement might, Scotland. The real weakness of the
after all, be framed upon that ambiguous party, however, even numerically, was
phrase, if not such as the Church ought so far discovered at the meeting of the
to ask, yet such as she might submit to, Synod of Mid-Lothian, early in May,
without absolute dereliction of principle, when Dr. Simpson, the acknowledged
since, as they reasoned, it was impossible framer and leader of-the party,, could obthat any thing more satisfactory could be tain, even with the aid of the Moderates
obtained. Immediately some of the most in the synod, but a small minority to supactive of that small minority began a port his views.  They continued, nevercourse of private negotiations, partly with theless, to boast loudly of their secret
the most timid and undecided of those strength, and of the favourable manner
ministers who had generally acted along in which their overtures were met by
with the Non-Intrusionists chiefly on the Government. It may be added, that Sir
ground of expediency, and partly with James Graham seems to have imagined
the least violent of the Moderates. Ru- that he had now a prospect of reintromours began to arise of the formation of ducing the lately abandoned measure; as
a middle party, which was to unite the he induced Mr. Campbell of Monzie to
most cautious and temperate of the other postpone a bill identical with that fortwo, thereby weakening both, and assum- merly brought forward by the Duke of
ing a new, or at least an intermediate po- Argyle, expressing his hope, arising out




A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  425
of recent movements in Scotland, that Thence arose the great West Kirk meet
Government might be able to introduce a ing, and the noble resolutions passed
measure by which the dissensions of the there, which stirred the heart of the king
Scottish Church might be satisfactorily dom. Next came the period of diplomaadjusted. Yet, even in this conpara- tic craft, in the negotiations respecting
tively pacificatory declaration, the Home the Liberium Arbitriumra -a mode of
Secretary stated the principles on which settlement which was very early, in the
alone Government could frame a meas- course of this struggle, forced upon the
ure, and these principles were essentially consideration of the Church; and which
those of Lord Aberdeen's bill, in which had never been entertained but with exthe first and fundamental proposition, treme reluctance, and with the utmost
governing of course all the rest, was the danger of the sacrifice of principle.
determination to maintain what was When both the Church and the people
termed "the civil rights of patrons." were in this state of stunned and helpless
This might have opened the eyes of the alarm, and there seemed no way of esmiddle party, had they been either able cape from a disastrous and dishonourable
or willing to see any thing but their own compromise, on a sudden, in answer
preconceived wishes and impressions.  doubtless to the deep-breathed prayers of
Tlhere had been several other minor, thousands, these lowering clouds parted
though not unimportant, events and indi- asunder, the dangers vanished. and, recations during the course of these public suming her sacred principles, she stood
and prominent occurrences. Men of un- again prepared fearlessly to act or suffer
blemished character had been tried as in their defence. The lawless deed of
implicated in what was called the Cul- Culsalmond,-the military seizure of
salmond riot, and honorably acquitted by Strathbogie,-and the haughty and con
a jury of their countrymen. A military turnelious despotism of the Home Secre
detachment had been marched into the tary, al doubtless intended to terrify hei
district of Strathbogie, without the slight- into submission, produced a very differ
est apparent reason, but merely to sup- ent result; rousing the courage of the
port the intrusion of a probationer into'faithful ministers to higher daring, conthe parish of Glass, by means of the men | straining the undecided to perceive that
who had been deposed from the ministe- there was now no alternative but the
rial office. And several glaringly ar- utter abandonment, or the resolute asserbitrary instances of despotic patronage tion of principle, and even imparting a
had been perpetrated by the Home Sec- noble fortitude to many who had hitherto
retary, accompanied with language indi- stood timidly aloof from the conflict.
eating an insolent contempt for the feel- Last of all came the feeble muster of the
ings and the petitions of the people.  wavering middle-men, few of whom had
Such is a brief outline of the chief ever truly belonged to the reforming maevents which preceded the meeting of jority, and of these few, none had ever
the Gene-ra Assembly, and such the borne a prominent part in the arduous
general state of affairs when it met on struggle. This middle movement came
19th of May 1842. It seems impossible in time to call off the timid and the hesifor a thoughtful mind to contemplate tating, together with some who could
these mazy and complicated movements, better suffer for truth and purity than
without perceiving that they were all contend in their defence; but too late to
guided by an invisible but an Almighty influence those of more penetrating
hand. How many phases had the con- minds, capacious judgments, and calmly
flict assumed within the course of one resolute hearts. It scarcely thinned the
short year!  Encouraged, apparently, defenders of the Church; and it left no
by the prospect of a change of Govern- weak and assailable points in their faithment, and the formation of an adminis- ful and united band. Surely in all this
tration more favourable to their views, the overruling power and wisdom of the
the Moderate party had cast cff their Redeemer was most graciously apparent!
previous reserve, and declared their in- It was not by man's prudence, but by
tention to take such steps as must inevita- God's foreknowledge. that all had been
oly cause a schism   in the Church, so wonderfully ordered; and in the full
54




426            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI,
and solemn perception that this had been important discussion ai- se. Conflicting
the case, the members of the General commissions for different parties to sit as
Assembly met to deliberate, in the name, members of Assembly, from the Presbyand by the authority of the Divine Head tery of Strathbogie, were produced, the
and King of the Church, on matters of one from the pretended presbytery, conthe most momentous importance to His stituted by the seven deposed ministers,
spiritual kingdom.                    in favour of two ministers and an elder
Her Majesty's Government had ap- of their own number, the other from the
pointed the Marquis of Bute to hold the real presbytery, consisting of the four
office of Lord High Commissioner. This ministers, not deposed, and their elders,
nobleman had previously distinguished being the only parties recognised by the
himself in promoting the cause of Church Church as the true Presbytery of Strathextension; and his unblemished charac- bogie.  Mr. Dunlop moved, that the
ter secured to him the respect of the en- commission from the four be sustained,
tire Church.  The opening of the As- and that from the deposed seven be not
sembly was conducted with more than received.   This gave rise to a sharp disordinary pomp; but the minds of men cussion, in the course of which Dr.
were too much engrossed by the deeply Cook moved, that, in present circumstanimportant nature of the matters soon to ces, the commission in favour of the recome under deliberation, to permit them  presentatives of the four be not sustained.
to give more than a passing glance to the The vote was taken and Mr. Dunlop's
gorgeous pageant as it swept along.  It motion was carried by 215 to 85, a very
was felt by all, that upon the proceedings large majority, in probably the fullest
of this Assembly might, or rather must, Assembly ever known on the first day
depend the present fate of the Church of of its meeting.  This was a very imScotland; and friends and foes were portant vote. It clearly indicated the
wrought up to an almost equally intense overwhelming strength of the Evangelipitch of excitement, in eager anticipation cal majority, and the weakness of their
of the result.                       opponents.  It tended, accordingly, to
After sermon by the Rev. Dr. Gor- give a tone of calm confidence to the madon, Moderator of the preceding Assem- jority; while it equally discouraged and
bly, the Assembly was regularly consti- irritated the Moderate party, by showing
tuted in St. Andrew's Church; and Dr. the certainty of their utter discomfiture.
Welsh, Professor of Church History in   A considerable part of Friday, the 20th
the University of Edinburgh, was unani- of May, was occupied, as usual, in devomously chosen to be moderator, and as- tional exercises; and it was remarked
sumed the chair accordingly. Dr. Cook by many, that the prayers of the various
of St. Andrews, as the recognised leader members who were called upon, were
of his party, then formally renewed his characterised throughout by a rernarkaand their protest against the ministers of ble degree of fervency, and earnestness
chapels of ease, or quoad sacra parishes, of spirit and manner. Mr. Dunlop then
being regarded as constitutional members read a report from the joint-committee of
of Assemb v.  This was immediately the Five Schenm, of the Church, regardmet by Mr. Dunlop, who declared, on the ing the collections,,"ngregational and
part of the majority, their firm resolution individual, contributed during the past
to maintain these men in all the due year to these schemes. From this genpowers and privileges of ministers of the eral report it appeared, that in the sums
Church   of Scotland.  This incident, collected for these schemes, there had
slight apparently in itself, gave some in- been a decided increase, not only in the
dication of the probable course of proce- aggregate, but in each particular scheme,
dure likely to be followed by the two con- and in some of them to a large amount.
tending parties, each seeming to be de- It appeared, further, that the period
termined to maintain every inch of the during which these collections had been
position formerly occupied. After the obtained, had been only ten months, owreading of the Queen's letter, and the re- ing to an alteration in the time of making
spective addresses of the lord high com- up the accounts; and that, when the
missioner and the moderator, a still more whole sums raised by collections and in



A. D. 1842.]      HISTORY OF THE CHUR.H OF SCOTLAND.                        427
dividual subscriptions for all the public seives of a pretext, arising out of a con
measures of the Church were united, in- troversy with their brethren, to abandon
cluding those for defence of the litiga- the great interests of the Redeemer's
tions in which the Church had been in- kingdom.     But, in spite of such defecvolved, the sum total was about ~30,000, tions, and of the predictions and asserbeing an increase beyond the amount of tions of unscrupulous partizans, the rethe preceding yearofnearly ~8000. This suit has proved that pity for perishing
was a result greatly more propitious than  souls, and zeal for the advancement of
had been anticipated, on many accounts. God's glory, in the progress of the gosThe year had been one of great corn- pel all over the world, were not diminmercial and mercantile depression, throw- ished, or rather were largely increased in
ing many thousands into absolute destitu- the hearts of the people of Scotland; and
tion, and exhausting the resources of the that the existing controversy, painful and
charitable in their support.  In such a alarming as it was, had, instead of weakstate of national distress, it would not ening, greatly strengthened their relihave been surprising if the funds raised gious feelings, and stimulated their exerfor religious and missionary purposes tions.    The state of the Church, in this
had also suffered a temporary depression. point of view, furnished also a startling
It had also been perpetually reiterated by contrast to that of the nation.  The diffithe Moderate party and their newspaper culty of conducting the public business
advocates, that the dissensions within the of the empire, with an increasing expenChurch had completely paralyzed all her diture, and a diminishing revenue, not
exertions, destroyed her general useful- adequate to meet the public necessities,
ness, and rendered her utterly inefficient, had been the direct cause of the retireas a national institution, for promoting ment of one administration, and the acthe advancement of Christianity at home cession of another; and even the new
and abroad.   The very diffusion of such  Government, in all its fresh strength,
gloomy assertions and predictions tended staggered and reeled in the endeavour to
to their own realization; and it must be frame, and carry into effect, a measure
confessed, that the religious contributions by which it hoped to rescue the nation
of several congregations, where the min- from its oppressed and sinking condition.
ister was one of the Moderate party, had In this very period of legislative convulsunk down to about one-fourth of their sion, financial difficulty, and wide-spread
former amount. This was, perhaps, more national poverty, the Church was seen
deplorable than surprising; for Moder- presenting to the service of God the gifts
atism had never shown itself friendly to of a treasury more amply filled than it
missionary exertions; and though carried had ever previously been, with the freeinto a temporary support of these schemes will offerings of the people; and, at the
by the strength of public opinion, was same time emerging out of that debt in
willing to discover some pretence for which she had been involved by the exabandoning them.*    Yet it is very de- pensive litigations carried on in defence
plorable when men, bearing the charac- of her spiritual independence, and her
ter of ministers of the gospel, avail them- people's religious liberties.  Surely this
was another signal manifestation that the
"The contributions of the 145 ministers, who, on rich blessing of God was descending
that occasion, voted in the majority,
amount to... ~4023 9 8 upon her exertions in His service; and
while those of the 62 in the minority are no
more than        m     a n    409 4 S a great reason for her to thank Him, and
Of the 145, only 10made no contribution for any of the take courage, and go forward undisschemes; and a number of these were either new 
churches or newly settled; whereas there were no mayed.  Such, unquestionably, was the
fewer than 22 out of the 62, that is more than one-third, general feeling of the Assembly, as was
who contributed nothing at all.  And this, be it observed, is not accidental. The same result has been manifest, not merely by the remarks of
repeatedly broughlt out before. Then of the quoad sa- te sk  ao, 
era and parliamentary church ministers, on the same te speakers, but also, and particularly,
vote36 wh voted with the majorityin the grateful tone of the subsequent deThe 36 who voted with the majority
contributed...;413 9 2 votions.
The 5 with the minority, only     5 15 0   The forenoon of Saturday, the 21st
So that the 36 quoad sacra ministers contribute more to  The forenoon of Saturday, the 2st
the missionary schemes of the church than the whole was signalized by a very spirit-stirring
of the 62 clerical representatives of the Moderate party..  i     t
put together."-Scottish Guardian, June 13, 1842.  incident.  It has been mentioned that on




428             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
the first day of' the Assembly, a paper and encourage them by every means in
was laid on the table by the commission- its power; and a solemn protest against
ers from the real Presbytery of Strath- the attempt thus made, for the first time,
bogie, which was understood to be an in- on the part of any civil tribunal, to inter.
terdict granted by the civil court, prohi- fere with the constitution of the supreme
biting them from taking their seats as courts of this Church, declaring such inmembers.   This paper the Assembly terference to be wholly unconstitutional,
would not read till it should have decided, and such as the Assembly cannot recogaccording to its own principles, respecting nise, when pronounced in a matter wholly
these conflicting commissions. On Sat- ecclesiastical, and placed under the excluurday, the commissioners from Strathbo- sive jurisdiction of this supreme ecclesiasgie were requested to state to the house, tical judicatory.  Dr. Cook moved that
under what circumstances of a peculiar this resolution be not adopted. The vote
nature they came to take their seats. was taken, and Dr. Candlish's motion
Major Ludovick Stewart, the elder for was carried by a majority of 97; the vote
Strathbogie, a war-worn, yet stately ve- being 173 to 76.
teran, arose, holding in one hand the  Several other important events took
Court of Session's interdict, and in the place on the same day.  Dr. Candlish, as
other his Bible.  He stated that he did convener of the Committee for Corresnot regard lightly the interdict of a civil pondence with Foreign Churches, procourt, for he had long been accustomed duced two letters, one of them  from
to strict discipline; but that he held that the Commission, the other from the Asthere were circumstances in which a per- sembly of the Church in Canada, and a
son might be placed, when it would be third from the General Assembly of the
criminal to obey the interdict of any Presbyterian Church in the United States
earthly court. "I hold in my hands," of America. This last letter was pubsail the venerable officer, "an authority licly read. It expressed, in clear and
in this holy Book, which does not pro- emphatic terms, their sympathy with the
hibit me from standing forth in support of Church of Scotland in her present trouthe principles of the Church of Scotland. bles,-their conviction that the Lord
So long as I am able, I will serve my would not forsake her when engaged in
God as faithfully as I have served my defending  his own cause,-and their
country; but there is nothing in this earnest hope and prayer that the Church
Book which commands me to obey such might soon be, by God's blessing, dean interdict, and I will not obey anything livered from her difficulties and dangers.
which implies criminality to the Church It was moved and agreed to, that the
of Scotland."  It is impossible to describe Committee should prepare suitable anthe thrilling effect produced by this short swers to these interesting letters.
solemn speech,-the depth of feeling    Reports were then given in from the
which held the Assembly in silent, un- Committee on the Commission record,
breathing fixedness of attention,-and the and from  the Special Commission aplooks of intense sympathy and admiration pointed by the preceding Assembly, to
with which all eyes regarded one whose attend to the state of religious affairs in
earnest words and dignified aspect realized the district of Strathbogie, and in other
to every imagination the bodily presence similar matters. These reports necessariof some martyred warrior of the covenant. ly brought under the notice of the AsDr. Candlish, in a short but very im- sembly the conduct of those ministers of
pressive speech, pointed out the un- the Moderate party who had assisted the
paralleled character of this unconstitu- deposed seven of Strathbogie in the pre.
tional interference on the part of the Court tended dispensation of the sacrament. It
of Session, with the powers and privileges was moved that these ministers should be
of the Assembly; and then moved a reso- cited to appear at the bar of the Assembly
lution, expressive of deep and entire sym- on Thursday, to answer the charge
pathy with those members who had been brought against them; and no opposition
so violently obstructed, in discharge of being made, they were cited accordingly
their public duty, by the civil courts; the Warrant was also granted for citing witietermination of the Assembly to support nesses to prove, if necessary, the facts of




A. D. 1842.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 429
the case. Several other accused parties Church of Scotland occupied, at that mowere cited to appear on specified days.  ment, the noblest and most important poIn the evening, a motion was made by sition of any institution, civil or ecclesiasMr. Cunningham, and seconded by Mr. tica], in the world,-that, while they were
Hetherington, to rescind that part of the vainly striving to circumscribe and fetter
Act of Assembly 1799, which prohibited and confine her, she was snapping asunall ministers of the Church of Scotland der their feeble bands, overpassing their
from permitting to preach in their pulpits, jealousy besieging lines, and both awaor holding ministerial communion with kening and responding to the sympathetpersons not qualified to receive a presen- ic feelings of all living Christendom.
tation. That act, as is well known, was  On Monday, May 23, the report of the
passed by the Moderate party for the very Committee for classing returns to overpurpose of preventing Mr. Simeon of tures was then given in; and, as it apCambridge, Rowland Hill, and other peared that a majority of the presbyteries
evangelical ministers of the Church of had approved of the overture on the
England, from being permitted to preach Eldership, Mr. Dunlop moved that the
in any pulpit of the Established Church Assembly pass it accordingly into a standof Scotland. It had the effect of cutting ing law of the Church. This was done;
the Church off from  communion with and it was also ordered to be recorded in
every other Church, and thereby it vir- the books of the kirk-session in every
tually denied the doctrine of a " Church parish throughout the kingdom. Thus
universal," rejected the " communion of another very important reform was cornsaints," and disclaimed the brotherly af- pleted, and the sincerity of the Church, in
fection infused into all true members of her advocacy of the religious rights of the
the household of faith by the presence people, placed beyond suspicion. It had
and energy of the Holy Spirit. It was long been the practice of the Moderate
thus equally sectarian and sinful in spirit party to introduce into the eldership men
and tendency, and was one of the most dis- who favoured their views of chu rch poligraceful and unchristian of the many cy, however unfit for that office; and
guilty deeds done by Moderatism, in the when. the Church began  her course
name of the Church of Scotland. So of self-reformation, the opposition of these
much, however, was this felt to be its elders formed one of the most difficult obcharacter, that no person spoke in its de- stacles to her endeavours, their votes refence, at least directly; though some peatedly giving the preponderance to the
appeared very apprehensive that the re- Moderate side, when it would otherwise
scinding of it might lead to a dangerous have been defeated.  It is now the law
laxity in the admission of men to minis- of the Church, that the elders are to be
terial communion who were not sound in elected by the whole male communicants
the faith.  Though this danger could not *of the congregation; and by the judicious
be regarded as very great, seeing the re- use of this religious right, the people may
peal of that act would only restore the prevent the possibility of Moderatism ever
Church of Scotland to the position in regaining the ascendency in Church
which she had been placed and left by courts.
the Covenanters themselves, yet a c,'-  The next subject which came before
tionary clause was added for the satisfac- i,, Assembly, was that of Patronage. It
tion of the scrupulous.  This was one of appeared that overtures had been transthe most truly Christian decisions of this mitted fiom  12 synods, 24 presbyteries,
Assembly, and one, also, of very happy and 38 parishes, besides several others
omen, and in most perfect accordance with from  associations and kirk-sessions, all
the almost universal sympathy expressed praying for the abolition of patronage.
by Christian Churches with the Church Mr. Cunningham then proposed the folof Scotland in her struggles and her suf- lowing motion:-" That the General
ferings; contrasting, at the same time, Assembly having considered the overstrongly with the bigotry and intolerance tures anent patronage, resolve and declare,
of a party in the Church of England. It that patronage is a grievance, has been
gave no dubious indication, that whatever attended with much injury to the cause
worldly politicians might imagine, the of true religion in the Church and king



430             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. X
dom, is the main cause of the difficulties most earnestly called upon the Church
in which the Church is at present in- not to hesitate, from any weak or unmanvolved, and that it ought to be abolished." ly fear of consequences, from demanding
In a speech of very great clearness and the abolition of patronage, by which proargumentative power, Mr. Cunningham  cedure, while boldly and fully following
explained, defended, and enforced this mo- out the principles of the Word of God,
mentousquestion. Heshowedtheessential she would also secure her best earthly
distinction between the Church of Christ support-the confidence of the free-heartand any wordly institution, proving irre- ed and religious people of Scotland.
sistibly, that having received its origin,  A counter motion was made by the
laws and organization, from Christ alone, Procurator:-" That the Assembly havno merely secular power could have ing considered the overtures and petitions,
any right to interfere with the appoint- find it inexpedient, in present circumment of its office-bearers; that in regu- stances, to adopt the overtures."  A long
lating that matter, recourse must be had and very animated discussion followed,
to the Word of God alone, from which it during the course of which several rather
was plainly manifest, that presbyteries and peculiar indications respecting the state
Christian congregations had each a duty of parties and the progress of opinion apdivinely assigned to them, while no men- peared. It became evident that the Protion was made of any function to be exer- curator's motion was framed by the new
cised by any third and worldly party; middle party, and that the Moderates had
that every attempt to defend patronage refrained from proposing a motion of their
must be based upon some secular consi- own, in the hope that by supporting that
deration, and must involve the grievous of the middle party, they might have the
error of setting aside or superseding the best prospect of success in their attempt
great rule, that in every thing pertaining to defeat the anti-patronage movement.
to Christ's House, direction  must be The vote was at length taken, and the
sought and taken from    Him  alone. motion for the abolition of patronage carAvailing himself of these primary princi- ried by a majority of 69, in the fullest
pies, he met and refuted the leading argu- house ever known, the numbers beingments generally used by the defenders for abolition, 216; inexpedient in present
of Patronage, whether viewed as arising circumstances, 147; total, 363. In the
out of the donation given by an indi- year 1841, a similar motion was lost by
vidual; or the endowments granted by a 6; and although the Moderates so far
State; for in either or both of these sup- compromised their own views in order to
positions, the real question to be deter- effect a junction with the middle party, as
mined was, not whether it were natural to move that it was inexpedient to apply
and reasonable for the donor to retain the for the abolition of patronage in present
power of appointing a pastor who should circumstances, which implied that it might
enjoy the fruits of the endowment, but, in be expedient in other circumstances, yet
what manner ought the ministers of both combined sustained a complete deChristian churches to be appointed, so as feat, and the Church of Scotland resumed
may be most accordant with the will of her ancient and constitutional opposition
Christ, and most conducive to the spirit- t- the great unscriptural and unpresbyual welfare of the people. He prov. terian grievance of secular patronage.
clearly, that to determine the question of The announcement of the decision was repatronage on the ground of any endow- ceived with loud and long applause by
ment granted bythe State or an individual, the anxious and crowded spectators, and
or on account of any civil qualification, with warm mutual congratulations, and
was most decidedly Erastian, and must silent breathings of grateful thanks to
introduce a hostile and destructive element God, by the faithful majority whose votes
into the very heart of the Church.  To- had secured the welcome victory.
wards the conclusion of his unanswerable  On Tuesday, May 24, the Assembly
speech, Mr. Cunningham briefly alluded proceeded to the main business of tha
to the perfidious Act of Queen Anne, and important day, the consideration of an
to the baneful effects produced by that act, overture, signed by about 150 members of
both in former times and at present, and Assembly, for a "c Declaration against the




A. D. 1842.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    431
unconstitutional encroachments of the civil der the spell of a blinding and deadly
courts." This singularly clear and power- infatuation.
ful document, prepared by Mr. Dunlop,    The resolutions and the speech of Dr.
was read at full length by the clerk of Cook were alike weak and evasive, not
the Assembly, amid the silent and deep touching, not even  approaching, the
attention of the whole house.  Dr. Chal- essence of the subject.  He proposed the
mers then moved that it be adopted as the rescinding of the Veto Act, and the anresolution of the Assembly, which was nulling of all the penal or judicial proseconded by Dr. Gordon.  Dr. Cook, in- ceedings founded on it; asserted that the
stead of meeting it with a direct negative, doctrines of Christ's Headship, and the
moved a series of resolutions of a different, distinct government of the Church, might
but not directly opposite, character. The be held with such diversities of opinion,
speech of Dr. Chalmers was characterized and various modes of application, as to
by all the lofty and fervid eloquence of afford no cause of irreconcilable disagreethat great man.  He did not, indeed, at- ment between parties entertaining widely
tempt to follow, explain, and enforce the different views; advised that all agitation
various leading topics of the Declaration; should cease, and ministers should confine
but taking up the subject in that point of themselves chiefly to their pastoral duties 
view most suited to command the atten- and asserted, that under the existing laws
tion of a patriotic and enlightened states- of the Church, there was already suffiman, he first removed the seeming diffi- cient security against the settlement of
culties of arriving at a right understand- unqualified  and  unsuitable  ministers.
ing of the essential elements of the ques- Such were the resolutions moved by Dr.
tion, which have been produced by mis- Cook; and his speech was a mere exrepresenting it as little more than the planation of them, exhibiting in its propersonal wranglings of individuals and gress, not only strange feebleness of
parties in the Church, instead of regard- reasoning, but deplorable want of preing it as a great constitutional question cision in the statement of principles,
concerning the respective jurisdictions of which in their loose and vague indefinitetwo separate and distinct co-ordinate ness might mean any thing or nothing,
courts, each supreme and independent in and could lead to no fixed course of
its own province. He then drew atten- thought and action. Nor did he even
tion to the formidable consequences which touch upon the encroachments of the civil
must inevitably follow, should the Legis- court, either to condemn or to approve
lature permit thecivil courttopersevere,in them, nor explain in what manner his
its encroachments upon the constitutional motion could rescue the Church from
jurisdiction of the Church,-issuing in- future similar invasions,-unless it were
terdicts in spiritual matters which religion to be inferred, that principles so very
and conscience were constrained to disre- laxly held might be abandoned whengard,-uttering threats of pains and pen- ever they should be assailed.
alties which it could not inflict without  The speech of Mr. Dunlop was a fill
committing the sin of persecution,-and, and complete commentary on the whole
by assuming that the possession of su- of the Declaration, leaving nothing to be
perior might was equivalent to right, desired for its explanation and defence;
actually employing the argument of phy- but as both that able document and speech
sical force, an  argument which  had have been put in the possession of entire
already been assumed, and might ere Christendom, it cannot be necessary to
long, after the example of the civil court, insert here even the briefest outline of
be directed with terrific power, by men them.
who have the strength of millions of the  Mr. Robertson of Ellon, as usual,
lawless and the ungodly on their side, came nearer the heart of the question
against all the institutions of the empire. than any other speaker on the Moderate
Such an argument, so powerfully brought side; but still he rather dealt with points
forward by such a man, might well have and specialties than attempted to grapple
caused statesmen to pause and ponder, if with great principles. One of his minute
they had heart to feel, and intellect to criticisms on the Act 1592, respecting the
understand it,-if they had not been un. presbyteries being bound and astricted to




432            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI.
receive and admit qualifid ministers~ was I  It may be remarked, that the greater
answered by Dr. Lee, who proved that part of the debate upon this great subject
this expression could not mean persons was not peculiarly animated. This arose
already ordained, because out of 46 pre- partly from the fact, that Dr. Cook's mosentations granted by the king himself tion, instead of directly opposing that of
within a year after the passing of that Dr. Chalmers, took up what may be
Act, 27 were in favour of persons not termed a parallel position, so that the
ordained. He made also a very important different speakers were not necessarily
admission, by stating, that he regarded brought into collision, being at liberty to
the interdict granted by the Court of advocate their own peculiar views with
Session, against the preaching of the little reference to those of the other party,
gospel, by ministers appointed by the consequently the discussion moved slowly
Church, within the seven parishes of forward on parallel lines, till it came to
Strathbogie, as an incompetent act on the a pause rather than a conclusion. Yet
part of the civil court. This admission-  several curious manifestations of opinion
although subsequentlyMr. Robertson was appeared during the debate, some of
very anxious to limit and qualify it-was which have been already noticed, though
gladly welcomed by the majority, as in- perhaps the most remarkable were the
dicating the existence of some ground on explanations of spiritual independence
which both parties might yet accordantly and non-intrusion given by Dr. Cook and
meet. After some further discussion, and his friends. From these it appeared that,
some able speeches by Dr. Buchanan of by " the spiritual independence of the
G-lasgow, Mr. Gray of Perth, and others, Church," the Moderate party understand,
the vote was taken, and the motion of the liberty enjoyed by private individuals
Dr. Chalmers carried by a majority of to withdraw fiom the Church and be131,-the numbers being 241 to 110.   come Dissenters if dissatisfied with it;
The adoption of this Claim of Rights and by "non-intrusion" they understand,
and Declaration against the encroach- that when an unacceptable minister is
ments of the civil courts, as the resolu- settled in a parish, the parishioners ought
tion of the General Assembly, wxas one not to be thrust forcibly into the church,
of the most important and momentous and compelled to hear the minister against
steps ever taken by the Church of Scot- their will.  Something similar had preland.  It put an end for ever to all the viously been hinted in controversial parnambiguities which  had hitherto sur- phlets; but the honour of seeing the
rounded her position, and obscured her principles of Moderatism on these points
great principles; it placed in the most revealed to the light of open day, was reclear and prominent point of view the served for the General Assembly of
rights secured to her by the laws and 1842.
constitution of the empire, rendering also  On Thursday, May 26, there was
distinctly apparent every aggression made brought before the Assembly the case of
by the civil courts upon these rights; and those ministers who were reported by the
while it declared her firm and unalterable Special Commission as having held comdetermination to maintain and defend all munion with the deposed seven of Straththe rights, privileges, and principles bogie, by receiving the elements of the
essential to a Church of Christ, and Lord's Supper at their hands. These
secured to her by many legislative enact- were, the Rev. James Robertson, minister
ments, at whatever hazard, it necessarily at Ellon; Rev. James Grant, at Leith;
assumed a position which even statesmen Rev. John Cook, at Haddington; Rev.
must regard with respect, and might well Robert Stirling, at Galston; Rev. Charles
hesitate directly to assail, assured that it Hope, at Lamington; Rev. John Wilson,
must call forth the smpathy and the ad- at Walston; Rev. James Bryce, late at
miration of all truly religious men, and Calcutta; Rev. Alexander Cushny, at
that it could not possibly be overthrown Rayne; Rev. Thomas Hill, at Logiepert;
without the imminent danger, if not the Rev. George Peters, at Kemnay; and Rev.
absolute certainty, of plunging the king- William Mearns. missionary at Glenrindom into the dire horrors of a wild, far- nes-eleven in all. When they took their
spreaiing revolutionary convulsion.  station at the bar Dn, Cook read a protest




A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   433
in his own name and m that of those who their conduct might imply a desecration
should adhere to him, against the compe- of the sacrament, yet it was only by infertency of the General Assembly to enter- ence and construction, arguing, that as
tain a motion for regarding as a ground even civil courts did not now condemn a
of ecclesiastical censure the charge pre- man for constructive treason, so it would
ferred against the ministers at the bar; not become an ecclesiastical court to pass
declaring themselves bound, whatever the severest censure on what was essenjudgment the Assembly may pronounce, tially a constructive crime. Thus reduced
to act as circumstances might require, in to its simplest elemental form, the offence
accordance with their convictions of duty. committed by these brethren was shown
The accused brethren were then asked if to be one against the authority of the
they had any statements to make to the supreme court of the Church, that is, the
Assembly.  They produced a written do- offence of contumacy, connected with the
cument, which proved to be a protest, the encouragement of schismatic and divisive
general purport of which was:-a conn- courses, and as such deserving direct and
plaint of the irregular and summary na- summary censure. Dr. Candlish also
ture of the proceedings against them; an refuted several of the ordinary argJiments
admission of the truth of the matters of used in defence of the conduct of these
fact with which they were charged, but a ministers, and particularly their own asdenial that these implied any thing culpa- sertion, that they regarded the sentence
ble; the assertion that the sentence of de- of deposition as null and void; showing
position passed against the seven late min- that they could not rationally or conscienisters of Strathbogie was an excess of ju- tiously assume that as not done, which
risdiction, and therefore incompetent, and they well knew had been done, but that
null and void; and a declaration that they it was their duty, both in reason and conregarded their conduct as not involving science, to view it as an existent reality,
matter of judicial procedure or ecclesias- and then to determine what their course
tical censure. Being then asked if they of procedure ought to be. He concluded
had any further statements to make, they his exceedinglyable and luminous speech,
answered, that if the protest should be by moving that the Assembly find the
recorded in the journals of the Assembly, conduct of the accused ministers censurthey had nothing more to say. Thus, able, that a committee be appointed to
contrary to all expectation, terminated deal with them; and to report on Monday,
their defence.                       on which day they be cited to appear at
Dr. Candlish then, in a speech of sur- the bar. To this motion the Moderate
passing acuteness of thought, logical pre- party, sheltering themselves under the
cision, and solemn, unimpassioned, yet protestation given in by Dr. Cook, made
impressive eloquence, proceeded to state no opposition, and it was agreed to withthe real and essential character of the out a vote.
offence committed by the accused parties.  The proceedings of the Assembly on
He disentangled their conduct alike from  Friday, May 27, embraced some matters
the sophistical defences of friends, and the of considerable importance, and were
exaggerated accusations of adversaries, characterized by faithful adherence to
placing it, when analyzed to its very ele- principle.  The case of Mr. Wilson,
ments, in the clear dry light of severely minister of Stranraer, was brought forsimple truth, there to be viewed and ward. This person was charged with
judged by itself alone. He proved that fraud and swindling, and had applied for,
it was not of the same nature as the and, obtained an interdict prohibiting the
offence for which the seven had been de- Presbytery from proceeding with his trial,
posed, and that it could not become so, on various grounds, one of which was,
till they should violate a sentence of the that the presbytery was vitiated by the
Assembly, pronounced immediately and presence ofa quoad sacra minister. The
directly against themselves, and should Assembly found Mr. Wilson liable to the
also call in the civil authority to interfere highest censure of the Church for apply —
with the disc pline of the Church, and to ing to the civil court to impede the course
stay the censures duly pronounced against of discipline, appointed a committee to
them. He further reasoned, that although deal with him, and to report on Monday,
55




434             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI
and summoned him to appear on that day. moved, to reduce the settlement, on acA similar course of procedure was adopted count of the irregularities of the procein the case of Mr. Clark, formerly pre- dure, and to send the case back to the
sentee to Lethendy, and residing, under presbytery to take the special objections.
the authority of the Court of Session, in The motions of Mr. Dunlop and Profesthe manse thereof, who was charged with sor Alexander were put against each
the crimes of drunkenness, obscenity, and other, and Mr. Dunlop's carried by 214
profane svwearing. He too had obtained to 8. Dr. Cook then allowed Mr. Dunan interdict against the Presbytery of lop's motion to pass without another diDunkeld, as vitiated by the presence in it vision, and next day gave in reasons of
of quoad sacra ministers; and for this dissent, signed by himself and about 60
offence he was deprived of his license, other members, which served to indicate
without further probation.  In the course the relative proportions of middle-men
of the discussion upon this case, it was and decided Moderates.
stated, that the First Division of the Court  The decisions of this day gave practiof Session had that very day, by an ap- cal proof of the Church of Scotland's
parent majority of one (the real numbers determination not to permit her constitubeing two to two, but the Lord Ordinary, tion to be violated, and her discipline preIvory, not being entitled in the circum- vented by the interference of the civil
stances to vote), affirmed the interdict pro- courts; and it was a matter of no slight
hibiting the commissioners from the true moment to perceive what kind of men
Presbytery of Strathbogie from sitting as most readily applied for, and received the
members of Assembly, thereby assuming Court of Session's illegal protection, —
the power of interfering with the consti- men accused of swindling, theft, drunktution of the supreme ecclesiastical court enness, and other gross immoralities.
of the Church of Scotland; and some The judgment of public opinion cannot
very important remarks were made on fail sooner or later, to ratify the emphatic
this subject by Mr. A. E. Monteith. language of a member of Assembly, that
Another interdict was treated in the same "Church courts discharge their whole
manner, in the case of Mr. Livingston of duty regarding such interdicts, by despiCambusnethan, who had been convicted sing them and trampling them under their
of theft, and had sought to prevent the feet."
pronouncing of judgment, by obtaining   On Saturday, May 28, the report of
an interdict because of quoad sacra minis- the Non-Intrusion Committee, appointed
ters. The sentence of deposition was by last Assembly, was read by Dr. Gorpronounced by the Assembly on the spot, don. Afier narrating the various negodisregarding and condemning the inter- tiations which have been already stated,
diet. The Assembly also rescinded and the report explicitly condemned any setdeclared void the pretended settlement of tlernent, upon the basis of what had been
Mr. Duguid in the parish of Glass, by termed the Liberum  Arbitrium, being
the deposed ministers of Strathbogie, pro- fully convinced that it would prove to be
nouncing him no minister of the Gospel, of the most undesirable nature, and would
and depriving him of his license for his neither contain what the Church regardschismatic proceedings.  The  Culsal- ed as indispensable to the maintenance
mond case next occupied the attention of of her fundamental principles, nor afford
the Assembly.   Its nature has been due protection to the rights of the people.
already stated, and need not be here re- Dr. Candlish moved, that the report be
peated.  Dr. Cook moved, that the settle- approved of generally, and that a special
ment of Mr. Middleton be not disturbed. commission be appointed, with reference
Mr. Dunlop moved, that the complaint to the present difficulties of the Church,
against it be sustained, that the settlement instructing them to have respect to the
be rescinded, and Mr. Middleton found to several deliverances of this Assembly on
have disqualified himself by his conduct; the state of the affairs of the Church, and
and as to the rest, reserve consideration to be guided in all their proceedings and
of the conduct of the majority of the deliberations by the spiritof these deliverpresbytery, and of Mr. Middleton, till a ances; the understanding being, that the
subsequent day.  Professor Alexander deliverances to be thus kept in view are,




A. D. 1842.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                        435
— the declaration that patronage is an evil of the adjoining  parish, Auchendoir,
and ought to be abolished the assertion brought before the notice of the Assembly
of the Church's spiritual independence, a case of remarkable persecuting oppresas stated in the Declaration and Claim of sion.  It appeared that they had been litRights, and the approval of the principles erally hunted out of their own parish by
laid down in the report of the Non-Intru- the Duke of Richmond, its sole proprietor,
sion Committee, namely, that the Duke or feudal superior, and not allowed a foot
of Argyle's bill is the very least thatcan of ground on which to build a church at
be accepted, and the express condemna- their own expense, the parish church betion of any measure founded on the Lib- ing wrongfully withheld by Mr. Allarerum Arbitrium.   In the discussion that dyce, notwithstanding   his  deposition.
followed the proposal of this motion, Dr. Pitying their persecuted condition, Mr.
Loishman spoke respecting the move- Leith Lumsden offered them a site for a
ment of the middle party; and laboured church on his property, provided the Asto defend their proceedings, but succeeded sembly would grant permission, which
in proving nothing more than that he and was necessary, on account of its being
the 40 were still enveloped in the misty beyond the proper ecclesiastical bounds
delusions, and held fast in the snares from  of the parish.  The prayer of the petition
which the Non-Intrusion Committee had was granted by a majority of 152 to 60.
been providentially delivered.  Dr. Lau- and the thanks of the Assembly tendered
rie talked imposingly of the strength to Mr. Lumsden for his Christian benevoof the middle party, affirming that the 40 lence.*  In the course of the discussion,
were now increased to 400; and that he Mr. Robertson of Ellon so far disgraced
regarded the rise of such a party as an his own manly intellect, as to employ one
answer to prayer for a peaceful settlement. of the quibbling arguments generally
Mr. Mackenzie, an elder from Inverness, used only by the weaker men of his parreminded him, that men were not to take ty,-asking why other ministers had not
their own convictions and impressions for been appointed to the seven parishes of
answers to prayer, the, test of which was, Strathbogie, according to the jus devoluaccordance with the word of God.  After tur, if the previous ministers had really
some further discussion, Dr. Candlish re- been deposed. The answer was easy
plied in a singularly brilliant and effec- and conclusive; the interdicts of the civil
tive speech, varying from pointed retort, courts could prevent the exercise of the
and half playful irony, till it rose towards civil right of patronage jure devoluto,
the conclusion into a strain of lofty, indig- though they could not prevent the formanant, and commanding eloquence, when tion of the pastoral tie; and, as the whole
he condemned the mean and paltry con- subject was still under undecided discusduct of statesmen in balancing words and sion, it was not deemed expedient, unneclauses, and higgling about the very low- cessarily, to embarrass final arrangements
est terms to which conscience might be by any precipitate forgone conclusion.
screwed into uneasy submission; instead Mr. Robertson shrunk back from       the
of dealing with the subject like a great topic with evident symptoms of regret that
question of principle, affecting the inte- he had touched it.  The Assembly then
rests of generations yet unborn, and in- renewed their resolutions of last year, in
volving the liberties of the Church, and favour of an inquiry into the state of the
the constitution of the State..poor: and in following out the recom.
Dr. Leishman prudently abstained from  mendation in the queen's letter in behoof
exhibiting the weakness of the middle
exhibiting the weakness of the middle      On the morning of the 1'3th of June, the people of
party by a division; the motion was car- Rhynie assembled in great numbiers, before day-break
rifed without a vote; and thus the great at the site granted for the intended church, resolved t 
ied. wtut a vote; and t   he great erect it before an interdict which had been threatened
principle of anti-patronage and spiritual by the other heritors could be procured. Timber had
ndependence were made the rule           already been prepared, and stone hewn in the adjacent
independence were made the rules by mountains. Carts, labourers, masons, and carpenters
which all the future contendings of the plied the work with active hands and willing minds.
Under their vigorous exertions the work. " rose like an
Church must be guided.                   exhalation;" and ere the evening closed, a large, well
The petition of the parishioners of executed, and commodious structure was nearly ready
The petition      for the paurposes of public worship. Those who think
Rhynie, praying for permission to erect to crush the people of Scotland, ay judge of the eer
place of worship within the boundaries gy and resolution they have to encounter by the fact,
a place of worship within the boundaries Of A. OrHUiJO BUILT 1N A DAY




436             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XL
of the labouring classes in distress, re- ration; and, as there was still a large
solved to invite the co-operation of all par- amount of business to be done, the House
ties, and took steps for the formation of a met at the early hour of ten. The first
Central Committee, to be composed of per- subject of importance which was taken
sons of all denominations, at whose dispo- up, was the report of the committee which
sal all the funds raised by contributions had been appointed to confer with the
and collections throughout the Church ministers who had held communion with
and kingdom should be placed; and then the late ministers of Strathbogie.  The
concluded the business of the week, by report was produced, and the accused
hearingthe report on Sabbath Observance. parties appeared at the bar. When asked
One incident which very impressively if they had any thing further to say, they
indicates the state of mind both of the As- produced a paper, which proved to be a
sembly and of the public, must here be protest, bearing, that in thus appearing in
mentioned. Intimation had been given obedience to their citation, they were not
that on Sabbath evening a meeting of the to be held as departing from their former
Assembly for prayer would be held in protestation, but on account of their rethe place of worship at that time occupied spect for the venerable court, and their
by the Assembly, with particular refer- desire to promote the peace of the church.
ence to the perilous state of the Church; Dr. Makellar, then, in a very calm and
and a dense mass of people crowded the temperate speech, moved, that the minishouse at the appointed hour, leaving ters at the bar be suspended from the exmerely the space usually allotted to the ercise of their judicial functions, as mnemmembers. The seats on the sides com- hers of presbyteries, and all other judicamonly occupied by the Evangelical ma- tories of the Church, until after the first
jority were soon completely filled; but Wednesday of March 1843. Mr. Monfor a considerable time those on the Mod- teith, advocate, disapproved of this senerate side remained empty, till the assem- tence, on the ground of its not being one
bling people, seeing that none of that par- of greater severity, and, in his opinion,
ty were likely to appear, took possession not adequate to the grave nature of the
of them. So far as was observed, not a offence. Professor Alexander regarded
single Moderate minister, with the excep- it as too severe; but, while he disapproved
tion, if it be one, of Dr. Lee, came to join of the proceedings of the majority, had
with his brethren in supplicating God to no sympathy with those who talked of
rescue the Church from distress and dan- driving them out of the Church, being
ger, which might surely have been con- fully persuaded, that "except they rescientiously done in general terms, without mained in the ship, it could not be saved."
specific reference to any peculiar mode of Dr. Chandlish defended the proposed sendeliverance.  The devotional services tence, and explained the reasons of its
were conducted successively by three ven- leniency, and of its peculiar character.
erated fathers of the Church; and noth- The motion was then agreed to without a
ing could exceed the solemn, earnest rev- vote; and the accused ministers having
erential awe by which the whole vast reserved their right to take instruments
congregation seemed to be pervaded and and crave extracts, if they should require
impressed. " God has not forsaken his to do so, left the bar, and soon afterwards
people; his presence is among us here!" the Assembly, in whose proceedings
was the silent but deep conviction of many those who were members did not attempt
a grateful and adoring heart, especially to take any further share, thus directly
when the tremulous tones of the voice of obeying the sentence.
prayer told the strong emotions of the  This sentence met with probably less
supplicating and believing soul from  general approbation than any other prowhich it rose to heaven. And when the nounced by the Assembly, partly on acsacred duties closed, men returned to their count of its extreme leniency, and partly
abodes refreshed, encouraged, and in- from want of being very accurately underwardly thanking God for what they had stood. It was very lenient, but not to
(elt, vitnessed, and enjoyed.       such a degree as to involve any comproMonday, the 30th day of May, was the mise of firmness or of principle; and it
last day of the Assembly's ordinary du- met the direct nature of the offence, as




A. D. 1842.1     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 437
that came before the Assembly for judg- is no slight merit, that, while its very
ment. For it must be observed, that the leniency rendered its violation wholly in
direct charge against them was one of excusable, it placed the Moderate party
disregard to the authority of the superior in such a position, that they must either
Church courts, which being contumacy, appear to all men the wilful disturbers of
required to be disposed of in a summary the public peace, or must thenceforth be
manner, and which according to the prin- silent respecting their boasted determinaciples of the Evangelical majority, did tion to make common cause with the
not necessarily infer deposition, unless it Strathbogie seven.
involved also some heinous sin, in which  Mr. Wilson of Stranraer was then cicase the course of procedure must have ted, and as he adhered to the interdict,
been by way of libel. If the direct was deposed.
charge had been, that they had desecra-  On the application of the parties inteted the sacraments, they might have been rested, clauses were sanctioned in the
liable to deposition, but they must have constitution of new churches, for the purbeen regularly tried  by libel; and pose of securing the property, in the
though, perhaps, their  conduct was event of a schism inthe Establishment,to
thought by very many to have actually those who should adhere to the princiinvolved that grave charge, yet, as that ples of non-intrusion and spiritual indedid not necessarily appear in the accusa- pendence, as maintained by the present
tion brought against them, it was not le- majority.
gitimately before the Assembly, and could  The regulations on calls were re-transnot have been founded on, without, at mitted, with an alteration which would
the very least, an apparent irregularity admit of the call being brought into efof procedure. Some people found fault fective operation. Those parts of the rewith the sentence on another ground; gulations which related to special objecarguing that, if the Assembly could sus- tions were left out; and the substance of
pend ministers from the exercise of their them was embodied in a separate declajudicial functions without interfering ratory act; by passing which unanimouswith the ministerial, why had not this ly, the Assembly declared to be wrong,
been done at first in the case of the in ecclesiastical law, one of the principal
Strathbogie seven, who were at once sus- points on which the Court of Session
pended by the Commission from all their had decided the Culsalmond case.
functions.  To this there is a very easy  The four home missionary objects
and sufficient answer. The suspension were included under one committee, to
of the Strathbogie seven was not penal, be called the Home Mission Committee.
but preventive,-it was not intended as  The revised " Claim of Rights" was
punishment for a crime already commit- formally and finally adopted by the Asted, but to prevent them from committing sembly.
a crime which they had declared their  A  committee was appointed to conintention to commit, and which could not duct the correspondence with foreign
be prevented otherwise than by taking churches; those namely of Holland,
away their power to do it. For itmust Switzerland, Prussia, Hungary, the Probe remembered, that the Strathbogie testant Church of France, the Waldenseven had declared their intention to or- sian Church, and the  Presbyterian
dain Mr. Edwards; and as ordination is Churches in America, Ireland, and Engnot a judicial but a ministerial act, and land, the Wesleyan and Calvinistic Memay be, and often has been, performed thodists, and other orthodox Presbyterian
by a competent number of ministers, Dissenters.
though not met as a presbytery, the sus-  The Assembly then passed a declarapension of their judicial functions would tion of the Church of Scotland's deternot have prevented them from being in a mination to maintain the principles on
capacity to perform validly the act of or- which the ministers of quoad sacra pa
dination. In short, it is fully believed, rishes had been admitted to the enjoythat the more the sentence is examined, ment of all the rights and privileges poscalmly and impartially, the more will its sessed by the other ministers of - the
judicious nature become evident; and it Church. This, considering the fierce




438             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI
and vontinued hostility shown to the ad- tition to the House of Lords, and Mr.
mission of these ministers into Church Fox Maule to the House of Commons.
courts, and the many interdicts granted  The moderator then addressed the
by the Court of Session on that ground, house, in a speech remarkable for its
was a peculiarly important declaration, eloquence of language, and solemn elebut one which, it was evident might vation of thought; and having conclu
greatly increase the intensity of the con- ded, he dissolved the Assembly in the
test of jurisdiction.                name of the divine Head and King of
A resolution was passed recommend- the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then
ing concert in prayer.               turning to the Lord High Commissioner,
A motion was passed enjoining pres- he preferred to him the thanks of the
byteries to be careful in examining stu- Assembly, and expressed their united
dents and licentiates in their knowledge prayers for his Grace's best welfare.
of the standards, history, and constitution His Grace having also gone through the
of the Church.                       form of dissolving the Assembly, the modCertain alterations in the form of pro- erator prayed; and after a portion of
cess were agreed to, the most important Scripture had been read, and the concluof which was, that all ministers charged sion of the 122d Psalm had been sung,
with heresies or immoral offences should the apostolic benediction was pronounced,
be suspended from the exercise of their and the important Assembly of 1842 was
ministerial functions, from the period of closed.
their being libelled to the termination of
their case. This was strenuously op-    It is impossible to reflect upon the proposed by the Moderates, but carried with- ceedings of the General Assembly of
out a vote. An overture was passed, and 1842, without coming to the conclusion,
directed to be transmitted to presbyteries, that it marked an era of vast importance
the object of which was to prohibit the in the history of the Church of Scotland.
conjunction of professorships with minis- It became evident to every reflecting perterial charges, even within university son, that from it would be dated either the
towns, and thereby to put an end to every overthrow of the Presbyterian Church
kind and degree of pluralities. Lastly, in this kingdom, or her THIRD REFORa day of fasting and humiliation was ap- MATION. There remained no longer any
pointed to.be observed on Thursday the obscurity respecting her principles, nor
21st of July; and instructions were given any retreat from  her position. Statesthat a pastoral address should be prepared men and men of the world might indeed
to be read from all the pulpits in the regard her with increased hostility, but
Church.                              they could no longer affect to misunderWith these solemn acts the Assembly stand her demands. They might still
closed its deliberations.             view her as weak and unable to resist
The moderator presented to the Lord their political power, but they could not
High Commissioner the Claim of Rights, continue to misrepresent the contest as
with an address to the Queen, request- merely one between two rival parties in
ing him to present them to her Majesty; her own communion, nor pretend that
and also an address in favour of the abo- her own internal disunion, and the ballition of patronage, requesting him to ance of conflicting parties within her,
present it likewise to the Queen. His were the reasons why they refused to
Grace replied that he would have the ho- take her claims and complaints into connour of preselting  the address and sideration. In several respects, also, her
",aim of Rights to her Majesty, and also own position was greatly improved.. The
of presenting the anti-patronage address; first vote of the Assembly, on the day of
but wished it to be distinctly understood, its meeting, respecting the commissions
that in doing so he expressed no appro- from Strathbogie, indicated the strength
bation of it. The Marquis of Breadal- and determination of the majority, disbane, who had signed a petition for the pirited the Moderate party, and gave
repeal of Queen Anne's Act, was re- both calmness and decision to all its subiuested to present the anti-patronage pe- sequent procedure,-the calmness of con



A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   439
scious strength, the decision of sound powers in the kingdom-the aristocracy,
principle held in fearless integrity. The on the ground of anti-patronage; the
rescinding of the sectarian act of 1799 legislature, through the Claim of Rights;
restored the Church of Scotland to Chris- and the courts of civil law, in defence of
tian communion with other orthodox the quoad sacra ministers. These are
Christian Churches, and harmonized formidable antagonists; but the Moderate
completely with the deep interest felt in party were thoroughly discomfited; the
her present struggles by all the religious- danger of disunion threatened by the
minded people of Protestant Christen- middle-men disappeared; and the position
dom; and with the presence in the As- was taken which the religious people of
sembly both of the deputations from  Scotland can understand, and have alEngland and Ireland, and also with that ways shown themselves ready to defend.
of pious and intelligent ministers from  And what did all this portend? Peace 
Prussia and Switzerland, who witnessed Not so, but rather the preparation for a
the proceedings with the most intense at- desperate and conclusive struggle. Like
tention and delight.                 an army preparing to decide the war by
By resolving to apply for the abolition a pitched engagement, the Church of
of patronage, as in itself a grievance and Scotland, in the Assembly of 1842, adthe main cause of her present troubles, vanced beyond the thickets, cleared the
the Church not only dispelled the illu- battle:ground, called in the skirmishers,
sions in which her reforming move- seized on the strengths of the position,
ments had been so long involved, taking and took her stand arrayed beneath the
once more the old and well-known sacred banner of the divine Captain of
ground of other days, on which she her salvation, ready in his name, and
might with confidence expect the high- under his command, to fight the good
hearted and faithful of the land to rally fight of faith, " strong in the Lord and in
in her defence; but also, although almost the power of his might."
incidentally, broke and dispersed the
threatened confederacy of a middle party,  The effect of the proceedings of the
uniting at the same time, more firmly Assembly upon the mind and feelings of
than ever, the reforming majority. By the entire empire was sudden and great.
the Declaration and Claim of Rights, Before its meeting, all parties and classes.he great principles in defence of which of men had looked forward to it with
the contest had been waged, were brought various anticipations, but all expecting
forward in the most definite and promi- that it would inevitably bring the contest
nent manner, clearly proved to be not a nearly to a close. For some time after
temporary conflict of parties, but the old it rose, its proceedings formed almost the
and great struggle between the Church sole topic of discussion in every circle,
and the world, and the whole subject was and in every periodical publication. By
suitably prepared to be laid before the some, the whole conduct of the Church
Legislature, and displayed to the uni- was vehemently condemned; by others,
verse. And by the firm determination not less warmly applauded. Politicians
shown to suppress internal insurrection, in general, of every name and shade,
by punishing, mildly yet unhesitatingly, were loud and violent in their censure;
those who held communion with deposed while, on the other hand, all persons and
men,-who applied to the civil courts for denominations of distinguished piety and
interdicts to stay the course of ecclesiasti- spirituality of mind, expressed great adcal discipline,-or who entered into cen- miration of the faithfulness, zeal, and insurable private engagements with patrons; trepidity displayed by the Church of
and also by her declared resolution to Scotland in such a time of anxieties and
maintain the rights of quoad sacra minis- perils. The only religious bodies that
ters at all hazards, the Church proved indicated disapproval were those tinctured
that she was in earnest, and must conquer with Erastianism,-such as Episcopaor perish. By occupying, distinctly and lians, Moderates, and Middle-men. This
decidedly, these three  positions, the, was to be expected, because they could
Church came directly and immediately not sympathize with the fundamental
into contact with the three great worldly principles of the Church of Scotland; es



440             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
pecially in the article of spiritual inde- vindicate such conduct; and no friend of
pendence, if indeed they understood what the British monarchy will ever regard it
that great principle really meant.  In as an example to be followed, but rather
the higher regions of the political world, as a dangerous error to be carefully
the feeling appeared to be that of stern shunned.
and unappeaseable indignation.  That a  This conduct of the ministry was folChurch should dare to tell statesmen that lowed by various effects which they could
she regarded herself as altogether inde- scarcely have contemplated. Many peopendent of their control, while acting in ple, not peculiarly friendly to the Church,
her own province, and deciding upon exclaimed against it as a mean evasion,
spiritual matters, was, in their estimation, by which Government contrived to avoid
a degree of presumption not to be en- a discussion which they dared not openly
dured, and they took the earliest oppor- meet. It was evident that the Church
tunity of displaying their determined was ready to lay her claims before the
hostility to such a lofty and unpardonable public, and earnestly courted the fullest
claim.                               possible discussion; and the counterpart
The first opportunity that presented idea was scarcely less evident, that this
itself was on the 15th of June, the day to was exactly what her opponents were
which the second reading of Campbell anxious to prevent. Her character for
of Monzie's bill had been postponed at conscious honesty of purpose, was elethe request of the Government itself. On vated, while that of the ministry suffered
that day, instead of permitting the discus- a corresponding depression.  But the
sion respecting that measure to proceed, Church was not to be so easily baffled,
as had been expected, the Speaker directed and reduced to silence. If Government
the attention of the house to an objection had resolved to turn a deaf ear to her apin point of form, stating, that since the plication, she could address the kingdom.
bill affected crown patronages, it could It was accordingly arranged, that on the
not be discussed without involving a first week of July, simultaneous meetings
breach of the royal prerogative, unless should be held throughout the whole of
the permission of the crown were first Scotland, for the purpose of stating, exobtained.  No such objection had been plaining and advocating the principles
urged against the previous bills of Lord declared and defended, and the proceedAberdeen, or the Duke of Argyle, al- ings followed by the recent General Asthough these equally affected crown pa- sembly.  These meetings were very
tronages; nor had Monzie's bill been numerously attended; and the clear, able,
prevented on that ground at its first read- and eloquent addresses of so many emiing; but the ministry probably expected nent men contributed greatly to dispel
that they would thus display their decided ignorance and prejudice, called forth in
disapprobation of the Church of Scot- almost every instance the most enthusiasland's claims, and awe her into submis- tic expressions of approbation, and tended
sion by their haughty and contemptuous greatly to prepare the public mind for
treatment. If so, they only proved how the important events that were soon to
little they understood both the principles follow. In a great number of places aswhich they thus scornfully rejected, and sociations were formed for the defence of
the men with whom they had to deal. the Church, and for the purpose of proA still stronger and more grave accusa- moting the circulation of the necessary
tion might be brought against them, as information, that Scotland might be made
statesmen. Was it prudent, was it con- aware of the position of imminent peril in
sistent with sound constitutional policy, which her venerated and beloved Church
thus summarily to crush a bill brought had been placed by treacherous factions
forward for the redress of grievances, and within her own pale, and by the hostility
the vindication of the rights and privi- of the civil powers.
leges of an important body of British  About the same time, the General Assubjects, by the mere assertion of the sembly of the Presbyterian Church in
royal prerogative? No person who fully Ireland met at Belfast; and on the 8th
understands and values the true princi- of July a deputation of the General Asples of British liberty will ever attempt to sembly of the Church of Scotland ad




A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   441
dressed the Irish Assembly, and received the union with the Establishment, and
from that body the most encouraging re- raised an action to claim the right of
ception, and the warmest assurance of property in the place of worship. In this
aid in the struggle for the defence of great action they were successful; and about
and sacred principles in which she was the same time the person in whose favour
engaged.                            the call had been given died. There was
A new case of great importance was now a congregation without either minbrought before the Court of Session on ister or place of worship, so that the case
the 28th day of June. This was the was completely denuded of every vestige
Stewarton case, the nature of which it is of personal rights or civil property, and
necessary briefly to state.  In conse- it might have been expected that the case
quence of the act of Assembly 1839, ad- before the civil court had of itself termimitting the Associate Synod of the Seces- nated. But when the presbytery were
sion into connection and full communion about to moderate in a call to a minister
with the Church of Scotland, a congre- to the congregation alone, without place
gation of that body, who had their place of worship or civil interests of any kind
of worship in the village of Stewarton, being even by possibility involved, they
Ayrshire, applied to the presbytery of were again met by the interdict of the
Irvine, within whose bounds the village civil court, prohibiting the appointment
is situated, to be so received and admitted. of " any minister to the new parish proThe presbytery complied with this re- posed to be erected;" and also prohibitquest; and Mr. Clelland, the minister of ing the presbytery from receiving into
that congregation, having signed the their number "any minister or elder, in
Confession of Faith, his name was added respect to their alleged election or nomito the roll, and he took his place in the nation to their respective offices in the
presbytery.  Subsequently the presby- said new parish."
tery were interdicted from  assigning a  Such were the main facts of the Stewterritorial district to the pastoral superin- arton case, when it was fully brought betendence of Mr. Clelland, at the instance fore the Court of Session.  It will be eviof William Cunninghame, Esq. of Lain- dent to every one, that by the singular
shaw, and other proprietors. This inter- process of events it had been stripped of
diet was granted in March 1840, and ren- all that could even seem to involve a civil
dered perpetual on the 15th June same right, in the ordinary sense of that term,
year.  Tne presbytery, after having re- since it could affect neither person nor
ceived the authoritative sanction of the property. The question, therefore, apsynod of Glasgow and Ayr, and the peared, in the simplest possible form,Commission of Assembly, proceeded to " Had civil courts the power to prevent
point out a territorial district quoad spir- the Church of Scotland from extending
itualia within which the minister of the the means of spiritual instruction to the
Stewarton congregation should exercise community as necessity required, by
his sacred functions, expressly declaring, forming or receiving congregations, orat the same time, that no civil right be- daining ministers and other office-bearlonging to any party should be held to be ers, and giving to them the full possession
affected in any degree by that arrange- of all the spiritual functions which in
ment. The case assumed a somewhat every true Presbyterian Church ordinanew form shortly afterwards. Mr. Clel- tion has always been held to convey 2"
land having demitted his charge, a call This, it must be evident, was an absowas given by the congregation to another lutely vital question; and upon its deperson to be his successor. The heritors cision alone, even had there been no
immediately applied for a special inter- other cause of collision between the civil
diet to prevent the induction of another and ecclesiastical courts, must have deminister into the vacant charge, which pended the fate of the Church of Scotland.
was granted on the 17th of March 1841. For if it be in the power of hostile heriBy another change of circumstances the tors and civil courts to prevent the spiritcase assumed a new, and still more sim- ual growth of the Church, while the
pie and unsecular aspect. A portion of population is rapidly increasing, they
the original congregation had opposed may, within the course of a single gen.
5C




442             HISTORY Or THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI
eration, reduce it to the condition of being was thereby secured in that case, let the
the Church of a minority, and may then ultimate decision be what it might. It
safely abolish it altogether, if so inclined. was of advantage also, as incidentally
And still more, if the civil courts have vindicating the Church from the calumthe power of laying an arrest on the pro- nious accusation, that, by pleading at all,'ress of any Christian Church, they she admitted the jurisdiction of the civil
must also be viewed as having the power courts, and then refused to obey it, when
to stop the progress of the Redeemer's an adverse decision was given.  Yet
kingdom; or at least, the power of ren- strange as it may appear, although the
dering such Church no longer truly Court of Session was undeniably baffled
Christian, by taking from it the liberty by the respectful firmness of the counsel
of obeying Christ by extending his king- for the Church, the Moderate party had
dom. To this the Church of Scotland the effrontery loudly to proclaim, that the
could not submit, without ceasing to be a Church had at last abandoned the plea
Church of Christ; consequently it was of spiritual independence. It certainly
evident, that an adverse decision of this required no little hardihood to make such
vital question would bring before her the an assertion in the face of printed records,
alternative, whether to yield up her to which any person might have access;
Christian character, or to abandon, if re- yet it was made, for habit is very powerdress could not be obtained, the civil ad- ful. The final decision of the Stewarton
vantages and emoluments of an Estab- case was then postponed, with the view,
lished Church,-an alternative which, avowedly, of securing to it time for full
by any sincere Christian, must always deliberation.
and at once be regarded as no alternative  On the 19th of July the Court of Scsat all.                              sion decided another element of the
The pleadings before the Court of this Auchterarder case. It will be rememimportant case began on the 21st of June, bered that, when the House of Lords
and closed on the 28th of the same month. affirmed the decision of the Court of SesImmediately upon the close of the plead- sion, the Church yielded to that decision
ings by the counsel for the presbytery, to the extent specified in the act 1592,
the Lord President drew the attention of leaving to the patron "the haill fruits of
the Court to that part of the plea by the the benefice."  But as the act of parliadefenders in which they declined the ment respecting the Widows' Fund asjurisdiction of the civil court in spiritual signed all vacant stipends to that fund,
matters; expressing his opinion that if it the point was litigated whether the stiwere construed as the language seemed pend of Auchterarder should belong to
to imply, it might be regarded as sedi- the Widows' Fund or to the Earl of
tious, and it might be necessary to com- Kinnoul. The decision of the Court of
mit the parties using it to immediate im- Session, the whole Judges being present,
prisonment! It seemed as if the spirit was in favour of the patron against the
of James VI. had taken possession of the claim of the Widows' Fund, by a mapresiding judges, and were about to re- jority of eight to five. The First Dienact the persecution of Black, and vision gave the expenses to the pursuers.
Welsh, and Melville. But the threaten- This decision, however contrary to the
ing storm abated; permission was grant- plain meaning of an act of Parliament,
ed to explain the language of the plea; had an apparent tendency to clear the
and in the course of a few days an ex- question between the conflicting jurisdicplanation was produced and accepted, tions, and to diminish the subjects of litiwhich, while expressed in more cautious gation. For the patron's action of damaand guarded terms, contained a declina- ges ought in equity to be regarded as
ture of the jurisdiction of the civil court having lost its ground, since the Court
in spiritual matters, as distinct and ex- had decided that the presentation secured
plicit as before.  The result of this dis- the fruits of the benefice, so that the veto
cussion was so far favourable to the of the congregation could inflict no damChurch; for the explanation    being age upon what are termed "the patrimo.
allowed to be entered on the record, the nial rights of the patron," or upon the
plea of independence in spiritual matters presentee, who might at any time be put




A. D. 1842.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   443
in possession of them. It had also an- ter to about twenty or thirty people; and
other effect. It rendered the question of on the same by two of the ministers of
jurisdiction as simple and essential as in the presbytery, in the church of the Rethe Stewarton case; since, if any further formed Presbyterians, to upwards of four
steps were to be taken against the hundred communicants. No sooner was
Church, it could only be for the purpose it known that the use of this church had
of attempting, by civil coercion, to corn- been granted to the presbytery, than an
pel her to perform the spiritual act of or- interdict was applied for to prohibit that
dination, even when separated from the congregation from  affording even that
usual civil consequences, these having temporary accommodation to their fellowbeen already disposed of according to the worshippers.  Nor did the Court of Sespatron's claim.                      sion hesitate to grant it; thus perpetrating
A great number of interdicts were a gross outrage upon the rights both of
granted on'the same day, at the instance conscience and of private property, and
of the deposed Strathbogie seven-some assailing a body of Christians unconon claims which they preferred, others nected with the Establishment.
against members sent to the Assembly    While this small, yet most harassing
from the true Presbytery of Strathbogie warfare was going on in Scotland, an
to the recent Assembly,-with the con- event took place in England which vircurrence of her Majesty's advocate, pray- tually decided the conflict. This was the
ing the Court "to inflict such punish- decision of the second appeal to the
ment, by imprisonment, fine, or otherwise, House of Lords in the Auchterarder case.
as might be considered necessary and The first appeal regarded the question,
proper."  Also at the instance of other whether the presbytery had acted legally
ministers who had been deposed by the in refusing to ordain Mr. Young when
late Assembly, on account of attempting vetoed by the communicants. The seto stop the course of justice when accu- cond was, whether the presbytery were
sed of flagrant crimes, by seeking and liable to an action of damages in conseobtaining interdicts on the ground of the quence of that refusal. It has already
presence in Church courts of quoad sacra been shown that the action for damages
ministers, although no decision had yet did not, and could not proceed upon the
been given by the civil court on that ground of a civil injury sustained by paquestion. Interdicts were also granted tron and presentee; for the Court had
against the Special Commission appoint- awarded the fruits of the benefice to the
ed to take charge of the religious inter- patron.  The Court of Session, neverests of Strathbogie, Culsalmond, and theless, had decreed that the presbytery
other places in similar circumstances. was liable to an action of damages; and
And petions and complaints were ap- the case had been appealed to the House
plied for and subsequently granted against of Lords. On the 9th of August the
those who were engaged in ordaining case was brought before,the House; and
Mr. Henry to the new Church at Mar- the Lord Chancellor (Lyndhurst), and
noch, and Mr. Arthur at Stewarton, al- Lords Cottenham, Brougham, and Campthough no civil interests were involved bell, guiding, as law lords, the judgment
in either of these cases. Such proceed- of the House in legal questions, decided
ings served very clearly to indicate the that the presbytery of Auchterarder was
determination of the opponents of the liable to an action of damages at the inChurch to force on a speedy crisis; and stance of the patron and his presentee,
they formed a very intelligible comment for refusing to ordain Mr. Young, alon what was meant by some members of though no civil interest was any longer
the Legislature when they spoke of " al- involved in the refusal. These learned
lowing the law to take its course."  Lords never once adverted to the constiOne strange and almost incredible tution of the Church of Scotland, by
case of civil interference in spiritual which an independent ecclesiastical jumatters deserves to be particularly noted. risdiction was secured to it in many unOn Sabbath the 7th of August, the sa- repealed acts of parliament; but reasoncrament of the Lord's Supper was dis- ing from vague generalities, totally inpensed at Stranraer by the deposed minis- applicable, and from cases in English




444             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI
law, affirmed the liability unanimously, hibiting them  from  appearing to bear
and without hesitation. The necessary evidence. The case was remitted to the
effect of that judgment was, that the Assembly, and the presbytery empowered
Church courts were held liable to actions to make provision for the dispensation of
of damages for refusing to perform a religious ordinances in the parish. A
purely spiritual act; and conversely, by communication was received fiom Ameriparity of reason, for performing a purely ca, proposing the commemoration of the'spiritual act,-consequently, all ecclesias- Westminster Assembly, to be held on the
tical government and discipline were at Ist day of July 1843, that being the day
once laid prostrate by that most iniquitous on which it first met two hundred years
and unconstitutional decision. Nay, it before. The same idea had be n sugmight be truly asserted, that by this de- gested to the Irish Assembly at Belfast,
cision ecclesiastical courts were alto- who entered cordially into the suggestion,
gether abolished, for the very essence of as did also the Presbyterian Church in
a court is its liberty to decide according England. A committee was formed for
to its own conscientious conviction; and the purpose of devising the best method
therefore, that it is no court where not of co-operating with all Presbyterian
only can the sentences be reversed, but Churches in that important matter, which
the judges themselves punished for their presented so favourable an opportunity of
judgment. From the moment that this concentrating the energies of Presbytejudgment was passed, it became evident rianisrn, and diffusing its principles with
to every spiritually-minded and reflecting increased vigour throughout the world.
man, that unless the legislature should  There was a considerably numerous
very speedily set it aside by a new enact- meeting of the Moderate party h-ld on
ment, repressing the encroachments of the morning of the fOth, Principal Halthe civil courts, the Church of Scotland dane of St. Andrew's in the chair, at
could not continue in connection with which it was determined to support the
the State, but must protest, remonstrate, deposed Strathbogie men, and to s<-nd a
and retire, leaving to the " Prince of the deputation to assist those persons in their
kings of the earth," her own Head and pretended celebration of the sacrament of
King, to vindicate His own cause in His the Lord's Supper.  This determination
own time and way. Such was the grave was announced in the newspapers of next
opinion generally entertained by the day, rendering it publicly manifest, that,
evangelical body, while their narrow- like the civil courts, the Moderates were
minded and short-sighted opponents re- resolved to prosecute every means of
garded it merely as a mode of crushing forcing on the crisis, even before it was
them into subjection by civil pains and known that the second Auchterarder depenalties,-unaware, in their ignorance, cision, given by the House of Lords the
that men who know and can appreciate preceding day, had already done the desspiritual liberty, can suffer in its defence, tructive deed.
but cannot yield it, be the peril what it  A special meeting of Commission was
may.                                 held on the 30th of August, for the purOn the 10th of August the Commis- pose of preparing an address to the
sion of Assembly held its usual quarterly Queen, on her Majesty's visit to Scotmeeting, and was numerously attended. land. When the Commission met, a
Some discussion ensued respecting the sharp discussion took place on a prelimidelay that had taken place in presenting nary point of great importance.  It was
to the Queen the Claim of Rights, and the general opinion, that as her Majesty's
the Address for the Abolition of Patron- visit was not on State affairs, it would not
age; when it appeared that the delay be expedient to introduce the subject of
was accidental and unintentional.  The the serious dangers impending over the
case of Abertaff was reported to the Com- Church into the address itself; but the
mission, fiom which it appeared that the majority thought it necessary to pass a
minister, Mr. Smith, had procured inter- motion, for the purpose of having it endicts, not only against the presbytery, for- tered on the Commission's records, in
bidding them to proceed with his trial, which should be declared the determinabut also against the list of witnesses, pro- tion of the Church to maintain her sacred




A. D. 1843.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  445
spiritual rights and liberties, and that even the House of Lords involved the breaking
with increased energy and resolution, in up, to a greater or less extent, of the
consequence of the increasing danger Church of Scotland as an establishment.
caused by recent events, together with a For it required no very great degree of
statement of the reason why the Commis- penetration to see, that the Evangelical
sion refrained from bringing the subject majority could not yield to that judgment
before her Majesty in present circum- without such a loss of character, and
stances. The Moderate party vehemently consequently of moral influence, as
opposed all reference to any such subject, would destroy their usefulness, and at the
venturing to stigmatize the very sugges- same time confirm the Voluntary argution as savouring of a want of loyalty, ment,-in addition to the withering effect
and certainly tending to foment strife. A  upon themselves of a violated conscience:
very animated debate arose upon this mo- or, if they should in a body quit connection, the most remarkable feature of tion with the State, the Establishment
which was, that when reference was would, by that very act, receive a shock
made to the recent decision affirming lia- from which it could not recover. Yet
bility to damages in the Auchterarder they evidently rejoiced to see the Church
case, and when it was said, that unless of Scotland in such imminent peril, being
that decision should be reversed, it must unable, apparently, to see in it any thing
ere long issue in the breaking up of the else but a preliminary step to their own
Establishment, the Moderates received restoration to power. Even their own
the declaration with shouts of exultation explanation of their cheers, when allusion
and mockery. This drew     from  Dr. was made to the impending disruption of
Candlish an indignant rebuke, in a speech the Establishment, " that it was because
altogether worthy of himself and of the they did not believe the announcement,"
occasion, in which he nobly vindicated implied such a disbelief in the honest inthe principles and the loyalty of the tegrity of their opponents as proved themChurch of Scotland,-referring to the selves to be destitute of that character,
period when our covenanted ancestors, according to the well known maxim, that
although firmly opposing a monarch's each man suspects that of others which
despotism, were yet alone found faithful he knows to be true of himself  It was,
to that monarch in his adversity.  The in short, a melancholy proof of the heartmotion was carried against two others, less cruelty, and want of principle, charone of an intermediate, and another of a acteristic of thorough Moderatism.
more decided character; and addresses  Availing themselves of the opportuwere prepared, and deputations appointed nity presented by the presence of so many
to present them to her Majesty and Prince ministers in Edinburgh, the Evangelical
Albert.                              body held several private meetings for
This was the first meeting of a supe- mutual consultation respecting the course
rior Church court since the second Auch- now to be adopted, in consequence of the
terarder decision  and it was not difficult new position in which affairs had been
to perceive the effect of that event upon placed by the recent decision.  It was the
the two contending parties.  The Evan- opinion of some of the most determined
gelical majority displayed the grave, yet men, that the proper course would be, for
resolute bearing, the calm, deliberate presbyteries to decline proceeding to orcourage and energy of men who were dination in all cases of presentation, and
fully aware of the dangers by which to refer each to the next General Asthey were menaced, and as fully prepared sembly. Others thought that the Church
to meet them with unshrinking fortitude, should regard the decision of the House
relying with unwavering faith on the of Lords as altogether incompetent, and
strength and wisdom of God to support not binding on the conscience, and should
and guide them in the hour of need  On therefore proceed as if it had never been
the Moderate side, there was manifest an pronounced, ordaining where the preair of anticipated triumph, and a heart- sentee was acceptable and qualified, and
less spirit of delight in the difficulties of refusing to ordain where he was rejected..heir opponents, though they could not At length an intermediate course received
but be aware that the recent decision of the approbation of the greater number;




46               HISTORY OP THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI.
and it was generally agreed, that pres- science to preach in what he would re
byteries might proceed as under the Veto gard as an unconsecrated place, it is not
Act, carefully guarding, in each instance, easy to imagine. Again, at Drummond
against being thought to consent to the Castle, the QGueen attended the ministraprinciple of the late decision, by entering tions of an Episcopalian chaplain,neglecton their records a strong protest, which ing the Establishment, which she had
should embody a new and explicit asser- sworn to support, and giving her countlon of the constitutional principles, rights, tenance to its avowed and implacable
and privileges of the Church.   This enemy.    It was not supposed that this
plan was very soon carried into effect in arose from any hostility entertained by
several presbyteries, the example having the sovereign against the Church of Scotbeen set by the presbytery of Edinburgh land, but from the well known hostility
in the case of Mr. Arnot's presentation of her constitutional advisers against the
to Ratho.  There can be little doubt that, reforming and evangelical majority. The
in point of what may be termed theoretical Earl of Aberdeen attended her Majesty,
propriety, the first of these plans would in the function, it was understood, of
have been the most correct.  For it is Home Secretary; and no one who reclear, that presbyteries could not be re- membered the part he had a.' along
garded as acting freely on their own re- acted, could doubt his determined enmity
sponsibility as office-bearers of the Church, against the cause, and the men whom he
when   inducting presentees, under the had attempted to delude, and then bitterly
penalty of being liable to actions of calumniated and reviled.  With remarkdamages if they should refuse, however able infatuation, the Moderate party apmuch opposed the people might be to the peared to rejoice in the evident disrespect
persons presented, and however tho- done to the Church. They did not seem
roughly convinced the presbytery might to perceive, that if the Presbyterian
be that the appointment of a person, in Church of Scotland should be oversuch circumstances, could not be for edi. thrown, they must either join its destroyfication.  It was felt, too, that to act con- ers, or perish in its ruins.  The Puseyite
scientiously in such a condition would Episcopalians rejoiced greatly in the suntry severely the firmness of the most de- shine of royal favour which thus shone
termined, and might prove a grievous around them; and their prelates presented
snare to those of weaker and more timid an address of no doubtful import to her
character.  Yet itwas well that an inter- Majesty, boasting of their obedience to
mediate course was adopted, since it the laws. For some time after the ocavoided hastening on the crisis prema- currence of this event, there appeared
turely, and allowed the full developement symptoms of an incipient controversy in
of all the evils that rendered the last step nearly all the periodical organs of the
necessary.                            various parties in the country; but it was
The Queen's visit gave occasion to the suppressed, though with very manifest
manifestation of another element in the difficulty, by the reluctance universally
general contest.  Her Majesty landed at felt to say any thing that might appear
Granton on the morning of Thursday, personally disrespectful to the youthful
September 1, and proceeded to Dalkeith, and beloved Qlueen.  There is some
where she resided with the Duke of Buc- reason, however, to believe, that the supcleuch. But instead of attending divine pressed feeling of dissatisfaction died not
worship in the High Church of Edin- away, but merely sunk into the still
burgh, as constitutionally the Presbyte- depths of the heart of Scotland, adding
rian sovereign of a Presbyterian king- another element of strength to the antidom, and as George IV. on"his visit had prelatic under-current that there sweeps
done, the dining-room at Dalkeith was steadily along, waiting its time to pour
turned into a temporary chapel, a pulpit forth its irresistible might when the full
being erected at the one end of it, and hour of retribution shall have come.
Mr. Ramsay, Episcopalian minister of    For a short period the contest seemed
St. John's Chapel, Edinburgh, a decided to have subsided, during the busy time of
Puseyite, was sent for to officiate.  How  harvest. But even in this interval oi
Mr. Ramsay reconciled it to his con- comparativesquiescence, there were sev



A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   447
eral indications of unabated hostility liberally provided, by numbers of the
against the Church, on the part of the Edinburgh citizens, for the ministers
civil courts. An interdict was granted during the time of their deliberations.
against the presbytery of Arbroath, and  The week before the Convocation met
laid before that court on the 5th of Octo- was perhaps a time of more general and
her, forbidding them to prevent the ad- fervent prayer throughout Scotland, than
mission to the Lord's Table of a person had been known for centuries; both
who had, as it was alleged, in a state of ministers and people feeling, that upon
drunkenness, disturbed the public wor- the result of its momentous deliberations,
ship of God in the parish church of In- would depend, not merely the existence
verkeillor, and had refused to submit to of the Church of Scotland in all her
the requirements of church discipline. purity and freedom, established or not,
It began also to be customary for opposing but also the character and welfare of true
heritors to apply for and obtain interdicts evangelical and spiritual religion in the
forbidding meetings to be held in parish country. And it must be added that
churches,-a course which was exten- dur-ing the sitting of the Convocation, the
sively followed during the succeeding absence of the ministers did not prevent
winter and spring, as if for the suppres- the continuation of meetings for prayer,
sion of arguments which they could not conducted by the pious and venerable
answer.                              village or rural patriarchs, who knew
But this short breathing-time was not the principles of the Church of Christ
unimproved. It allowed leisure for de- and believed them to be those for which
liberate reflection, respecting the state of the the Church of their fathers had often
Church, and the course of conduct which suffered, and was again called on to
that state had rendered necessary. About suffer in circumstances of imminent
the middle of October, a circular letter, peril.
signed by 32 of the most able, pious, and  The Commission of Assembly met on
venerable fathers of the Church, was sent the 16th, according to its usual arrangeto all those ministers throughout the king- merit, and was very fully attended by the
dom, who had in general acted with, and Evangelical body. Few Moderates were
contributed to form, the Evangelical ma- present, and of these, some went away aljority. In this circular, attention was most immediately, leaving  a protest
directed to the peculiar character and in- against its proceedings, as illegally conevitable  consequences of the second stituted, on account of the exclusion of
Auchterarder decision, as subversive of Dr. Bryce, who had been suspended by
the essential liberties of the Church, and the preceding Commission. A very inleading certainly to its destruction, unless teresting report was read by Dr. Candspeedily remedied; and a general meet- lish, on the arrangements for the proing or convocation was called to be held posed celebration of the Westminster Biat Edinburgh on the 17th of November, centenary; and particularly with regard
the day after the ordinary meeting of the to a basis for the formation of a greater
Commission. This circular was pre- degree of unity among evangelical Chrispared and signed almost exclusively by tian churches, than has hitherto existed.
the aged fathers in the Church,-a point In the evening an important discussion
of no small importance, proving that the took place concerning the state of the
contest was not caused and carried on Church, in which was clearly pointed
merely by young and fiery controver- out the absolute necessity of taking some
sialists, as opponents loudly and con- decided step in defence of religious
stantly asserted. And in order that the liberty.  A  memorial was prepared,
Convocation might be as numerously at- drawing the attention of Government
tended as possible, considerable sums again to the Claim of Right, and the
were subscribed to defray the travelling other documents transmitted to it by last
expenses of ministers from distant parts Assembly, to which no answer had yet
of the country, while some parishes un- been returned; and pointing out the new
dertook to bear the charges of their own encroachments on the spiritual jurisdicministers.  Accommodationr was also tion of the Church which had taken




448            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI.
place since that time, craving redress of place, on the second day of the Convothose grievances.  No other transactions cation, all the diversities of opinion that
of peculiar importance took place.   existed among the ministers present were
Next day, the 17th of November, the fully developed; and these, considering
CONVOCATION met. It was formally open- that there were assembled about 450 men
ed by a sermon, preached by Dr. Chal- of fiee and independent minds, all accusmers, in St. George's Church, from the tomed to think and act for themselves,
text, "Unto the upright there ariseth were exceedingly few. There were inlight in darkness." (Psalm. cxii. 4.) In deed but three tolerably distinct views enthis sermon there was a brief, but a clear, tertained and stated in the meeting. The
lofty, and forcible exposition of great prin- great majority came fully prepared to
ciples, applicable to the disturbed and peri- frame and carry into effect the measures
lous condition of the Church; and tending which were finally adopted as the resoluto explain, and in its explanation furnish- tions of the Convocation. It was the uning a very striking example of, the manner hesitating conviction of the entire body,
in which light might be expected to arise that the decisions of the civil courts were
in the midst of darkness.  It may, with completely subversive of the constitution
truth, be said, that by nearly the entire au- of the Church, and must speedily issue
dience, the sermon was regarded as itselfan in its destruction, unless some adequate
emanation of that light which it described. remedy could be procured; but the diverOn the evening of the same day, the sities of opinion arose on the questionsConvocation met for deliberation in Rox- What ought to be regarded as an adeburgh Street Church.   Dr. Chalmers quate remedy? and What would be the
was chosen to be moderator, or chair- duty of the Church should no remedy be
man, it being understood, that in his ab- obtained? A very small number thought
sence, the next eldest of those who had that what they termed "a good non-inbeen moderators of Assembly should oc- trusion measure" might be a sufficient
cupy the chair, or some other minister, remedy. A somewhat more numerous
distinguished by piety, and venerable by party, agreeing with the majority, that
years. Mr. Pitcairn of Cockpen wasap- no mere non-intrusion measure could be
pointed clerk to the Convocation, and ar- of any avail, so long as the second Auchrangements to regulate the course of pro- terarder judgment stood unrepealed, still
cedure were made. It was resolved that differed with regard to the duty of the
each meeting should be opened with Church, in the event of no remedy being
praise, reading a portion of the Word of granted, or no answer returned to the apGod, and prayer;-that the meetings plications which were to be made to
should be from  11 forenoon to 4 after- Government.  Their argument was to
noon, and from 7 to 10 evening, or later if the effect, that since the British Constitunecessary; and that once, at least, during tion had expressly guaranteed spiritual
each meeting, the business should be sus- independence to the Church of Scotland,
pended, and the Convocation should en- she was entitled to regard any decision
gage in prayer, in order that the course of the civil courts which violated that
of the discussion might, from  time to spiritual independence, as so unconstitutime, be subjected to the stilling and hal- tional, that it was in itself, and must ever
lowing influence of solemn and united be, null and void, incapable of laying
devotion. After the roll of those present any obligation upon conscience requiring
had been prepared, the circular calling obedience,-or rather, that the duty of
the Convocation was read, it was stated defending the constitution, laid a prior
that those who had come, must of course, and greater obligation upon conscience,
be held as concurring generally in the actually to refuse obedience. The legitiviews contained in that circular.  This mate conclusion of this argument was,
gave rise to some discussion, from which that let the State do what it might, the
it appeared, that there was a small num- duty of the Church would be, to resist
ber present, prepared rather to oppose the decisions of the civil courts, to retain
than to support the leading principles her position as an Establishment, and to
stated in that document. During the suffer, till the State should of itself change
course of the discussions which took its persecuting course, or be compelled to




A. D. 1842.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 449
do so by the righteous indignation of the tinned with the interval of the Sabbathcommunity. It will be at once evident day, till the 24th, on which day a public
to every reflecting mind, that had the meeting was held in Lady Glenorchy's
Church adopted this course of procedure Church, in the evening, at which adthe inevitable consequence would have dresses were delivered, stating the leading
been, a revolutionary struggle of the most principles which the Convocation had reappalling character. And it deserves to solved to avow and defend.  The meetbe especially marked, that this formidable ing of that evening, formed, indeed, a fittheory of the Church's duty was enter- ting conclusion to the momentous delibtained and asserted chiefly by those erations of the Convocation. The openwhose general leanings had been, and ing prayer, by Dr. Brown of Glasgow,
still were towards the middle party, and was one of marvellous solemnity, spiritnot by those who had been regarded as uality, faith, and earnest self-denying dethe advocates of extreme opinions; that, votedness to the glory of God, and the
in truth, those very leaders, such as Drs. welfare of the Redeemer's kingdom,Chalmers, Candlish, Cunningham, and full, indeed, of the Spirit of grace and
others, were the men by whom    this supplication.  And the concluding adperilous theory was most strenuously and dress by Dr. Candlish, not merely held
ably opposed. And it is right that the the vast multitude in breathless admirawhole community should know that it is tion, but placing, as it did, every event,
chiefly owing to the wise and temperate not only of the Church, but the empire
counsels of those much maligned but and the world, full in the light of sacred
most honourable and disinterested men, truth, constrained every one to see all
guided unquestionably by wisdom from  things, and to think, and feel, and judge
above, that the Church did not adopt a of them all, as in the light of eternity,
course which must speedily have plunged and in the presence of God.
the kingdom into the horrors of a wild  The "Resolutions of the Convocation,"
and devastating civil revolution.  By the "Memorial to Government," and the
reasoning clear and forcible as lightning, " Address to the People of Scotland,"
it was shown that such a course would have been so extensively circulated, and
confound sacred and civil duties,-would are so recent, that it cannot be necessary
confound the rights and the duties of the to give here even an outline of them.
Church in sacred things, with the rights This only it may be necessary to state,
and duties of the civil magistrate about that in the first series of resolutions, the
sacred things,-would be undertaking leading idea embodied, was a declaration,
the defence of the civil constitution for that in the opinion of the members of
the integrity of which the Church is not Convocation, the second Auchterarder
responsible, and would be interfering judgment contained a principle so comwith that duty for which the State is pletely subversive of all spiritual jurisdicalone responsible to Him who is not only tion, that not only could the government
" Head of the Church," but also " Prince of the Church not be conformed to that
of the kings of the earth."          principle, but it was essentially fatal to the
But it would be inexpedient here to very existence of Church government.
give a full detail of the discussions held The second series of resolutions was, in
in the Convocation; although it is not truth, a necessary consequence of the first,
too much to say, that from them the most declaring it to be the duty of the Church
sage and practised, the most enlightened to terminate its connection with the State,
and philosophical statesman might have if no measure of redress, such as was
learned wisdom.  It may, however, be held to be indispensable, should  be
yet regarded as a duty to lay the most granted. About 20 of the ministers reimportant of them before the public, es- quired a slight modification in the exprespecially in times when the great prin- sion of their assent to the second series
ciples which they elucidated are becom- of resolutions. It was generally held,
ing those by which the destinies of the that the refusal of the State to return any
world are moved and moulded.         answer, ought to be regarded as equivaThe discussions which began on the lent to a refusal of the Church's applica.
evening of the 17th of November, con- tion for redress, so as to define the time
57




450             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI,
when it would be her duty to relinquish of division, on the first evening of their
the position and advantages of the Estab- meeting, ere heart had fully met with
lishment. But this small party could not heart, and mind opened itself to mind.
view the mere silence of the State as ade- This was almost instantly repressed by a
quately deciding the path and fixing the solemn, serious, and well-timed adironiperiod of duty, so as to constitute an ob- tion, in which was pointed out the absoligation on conscience to quit the Estab- lute necessity of calm, patient self-denial,
lishment; though they adhered so far, and brotherly love, of mutual forbearance,
that the Legislature would, after a reason- and above all, of dependence upon God,
able time, oblige them  to adopt that and the constant application to Him for
course on the ground of Christian expe- that wisdom which cometh from above.
diency. With this slight modification, The danger was seen, and met; the remthe second series of resolutions was signed edy was sought, and obtained.  From
by upwards of 350 ministers, several that time forward, all was candour, and'
having been obliged to return to their frankness,and harmony. If any tendency
homes before the conclusion; and the to asperity of language or feeling apsmall party who, at first, seemed inclined peared, it was instantly checked, and a
to oppose, having either joined their deep and solemn tone reproduced.  If
brethern, or altogether withdrawn.   any apparent tendency to division created
In taking the peculiarly solemn and alarm, it was subdued, and a sacred sinperilous steps already specified, the Con- gleness of aim restored.  And when
vocation did not act rashly and unwit- unanimity appeared beyond what had
tingly.  As already stated, the meeting been hoped, it drew forth, not the exultawas called, not by hasty and impetuous tion of triumphant policy, but the halyouth, but by the grave and aged fathers lowed spirit of grateful thanksgiving and
of the Church.  It was composed chiefly adoration.  It was a scene in which
of those most far advanced in life, on conscience was allowed its fiee exercise,
whom the feeling of nearness to the grave enlightened and guided by fervent devoand the world to come most habitu- tion; inwhich selfishness perished, overally rested; of those most enlarged minds, whelmed by the awful importance of the
whether from genius or acquirements; subjects under deliberation, and the results
of those whose piety had been most con- which might follow; and in which the
spicuous, and whose labours had been interests of time gave place to those of
most successful inwinning souls to Christ; eternity, the feelings of earth yielded to
of all, in short, most distinguished for those of heaven, and all human duties
venerable age, deep piety, genius, talent, were subordinated to the duties which
learning, energy of mind and character, man owes to his great God and Saviour.
and every kind of professional and per-  Such is a brief outline of the leading
sonal eminence in the Church. It was facts of the Convocation; but it was an
impossible to look around the Convoca- event of too great importance to be distion on the truly noble and dignified band missed without some remarks on its spirit
of Christian ministers there assembled, and tendency. It would be difficult to
without feeling constrained to say, " Whe- show, that a meeting of ministers of the
ther these men remain connected with the gospel has been held in modern times, if
State, or leave it, where they are, there ever, in whose deliberations were involved
the Church of Scotland is."  And their matters of deeper moment to the welfare
deliberations were throughout charac- of the Christian Church and to the world,
terised by unwonted solemnity of feeling than that of the Convocation which met
and disinterested earnestness of purpose. in Edinburgh on the 17th, and concluded
The spirit of prayer, and the spirit which on the 24th of November 1842.  One
true prayer produces, was most distinctly very manifest effect of this Convocation,
manifest. They were a band of brothers, as appeared when its " Memorial to the
with one heart filled by the love of God, Government," and its " Address to the
and every hour tended to the production people of Scotland" were promulgated,
of one mind, by the moulding and blend- was the clear light in which it displayed
ing energies of faith and prayer. Once, to the world the real nature of the conand once only, did there appear symptoms flict in which the Church of Scotland was




A. D. 1842.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   451
engaged,-a conflict involving the very fully these great principles were disexistence of that spiritual jurisdiction played, the more intensely would the
which is essential to the purity and free- hostility of the world be roused. It is
dom of the Church general of Christ. well known, that the sacred truths which
Long had this conflict been obscured and men cannot confute, and will not receive,
misrepresented, as if it were either a mere they only the more vehemently deny and
struggle for ascendency between two oppose.   And while the members of
parties in the Church courts, or a tem- Convocation held themselves imperaporary collision between the civil and ec- tively bound to declare and maintain
clesiastical courts on some smallquestion their principles, they did not expect the
respecting the boundaries of jurisdiction result to be an early and an easy triumph,
between them. And in this latter view, but a fierce renewal of the conflict, in a
it had been frequently and confidently spirit of embittered hatred, and with inasserted, that the Church courts were creased determination on the part of their
arrogating to themselves, under the name, opponents.  This was indeed inevitable,
of spiritual independence, powers which unless the civil powers had resolved to
did not belong to them, which were des- grant a full and satisfactory redress.
potic in their nature, and Popish in their For, by the position taken, and the printendency, and which were incompatible ciples declared by the Church, the State
with the duties of subjects in a well-con- was constrained to view the matter in its
stituted government, and destructive of essential character, and in all its magnithe peace and order of society. All these, tude and importance. It seems probable,
and many similar charge~ against the that Government had imagined that their
conduct and pretensions of the Church, silence with regard to the Claim of Right,
were fully met, and conclusively.an. would, of itself, be enough to overawe the
swered by the productions of the Convoca- Church into corresponding silence, and
tion. The Church distinctly and amply to deter her from making any fresh apdeclared, and explained both her own plication. But the Convocation dispelled
duty and that of the State, to the Lord this imagination, and constrained GovernJesus Christ. By the clear exposition ment to know, that the silence of the
given of her views respecting the right Legislature would be a culpable neglect
and duty of the supreme civil magistrate, of its duty, at the least; and when coupled
to be guided by his own conscience, en- with the conduct of the civil courts, would
lightened by the Word of God, in all that be regarded as equivalent to a sanction
he does circa sacra, in matters external of all their unconstitutional and unscripto, but concerning the Church, she vin- tural encroachments on the sacred rights
dicated herself, in the estimation of all of the Church, and would, of itself, prointelligent and right-minded men, from  duce a result as disastrous as could be
the accusation of attempting to usurp a effected by the most explicit condemnaPopish supremacy over the State in tern- tion of her claims. In this manner, it
poral affairs. At the same time, with was rendered unavoidable, that the mind
equal clearness, she asserted her own of the State should be revealed; since
divinely given, and inherent right to de- evasion would, in its certain.eonsetermine for herself, according to her own quences, be equal to refusal of redress.
conscientious understanding of the princi- Thus would it be made to appear, whether
ples and laws of her Divine Head and the State were prepared to ackniowledge,
King, her own duty in sacris, in all mat- or to disavow, its own allegiance and
ters essentially sacred and spiritual, sub- duty to the King of kings; whether it
ject to no control or coercion within that were prepared to redress, or to consumpurely spiritual province.           mate the violence done to -the British
But there was no reason to expect, nor Constitution, by the unjust and pernicious
was it expected, that the dense clouds of Patronage Act of 1712; whether it were
misrepresentation and calumny which prepared to protect, or to destroy the relihad so long thickened round her path, gious, and, by inevitable consequence,
would be at once dispelled. On the con- the civil liberties of the people. All this
trary, all were convinced, that the more was involved in the answer which the




452             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
Legislature might give to the solemn dom of Christ upon earth, which is ex.
appeal made to it by the Convocation, or pressly contrary to the whole tenor of the
even by refusing to answer.          Word of God. To such unscriptural
Nor could the nation fail to be deeply conduct the Church can never submit.
affected by the proceedings of the Convo- To such unscriptural conduct, whatsocation, and constrained also to declare its ever party submits, will not easily prove
mind on the momentous question so its claim to be regarded as a Church of
clearly stated and explained. For the Christ.  These points, therefore, could
Address to the People rendered it un- not be yielded, even though the furnace
avoidable for the whole community to should be heated seven times more than
consider their own duty in the matter, it was wont. " We must obey God rather
and to determine whether they were pre- than man:"-this is the sole answer
pared to permit their religious liberties to which the Church could give.
be utterly subverted, and the Church of  It is an opinion entertained by many,
their fathers overthrown, without one from the aspect of our country and the
constitutional and legal attempt to save world, that some great event is fast apthem; or, whether they were prepared proaching. With that great event, the
at length to make their voice heard by Church controversy in Scotland is, bethe Legislature in tones too distinct and yond all question, closely connected.
significant to be any longer disregarded. And the Convocation was so led, as to
When the appeal was made, it rested for give the fullest possible developement of
themselves to determine, whether they its leading principle. That principle, as
had become so engrossed by the cold and held by her opponents, is the supremacy
selfish spirit of a secular age, that they of the civil courts over the ecclesiastical,
had ceased to value spiritual rights and not only in civil matters, which is not deprivileges, and were only to be taught, to nied, but in all matters, however manitheir loss and shame, by the result, that festly spiritual. This is equivalent to the
they had despised their birthright, and rejection of Christ's mediatorial soveculpably forfeited the most precious bless- reignty; it is saying, "We w ll not have
ing that God gives to nations.       this man to reign over us." in England
The deep solemnity of the Convoca- the Puseyite party seem hastening on a
tion's proceedings, and the language of struggle of a dangerous character, inits Resolutions, Memorial, and Address, volving all that is arrogant in the pretenwere well fitted to vindicate the Church sions and superstitious in ihe practices of
from the common charge of stubborn per- Popery. On the Continent there are
tinacity in adhering to principles which symptoms of a vast combination of rathe civil courts had called illegal. These tionalistic infidelity, nominal evangelism,
principles were shown to be too sacred and Popish superstition, under the austo be yielded up, be the hazard what it pices of the Prussian monarch. And
might. It was proved, that they involve when to these is added, the prevalent
the very essence of Christianity,-the spirit of commercial selfishness and hardspiritual union of individual believers, hearted utilitarianism; so characteristic
and of every true Church, with the Lord of the age, it is impossible not to be
Jesuns Christ.  For as every believer struck with the wide and mighty muster
must obey God rather than man, in all of portentous elements of strife and conthat He has commanded, so must every vulsion.
Church; and to take commands fiom      Nor does it seem visionary to entertain
any earthly power in matters spiritual, is the idea, that the present may be the very
to allow that spiritual union to be broken. commencement of the last great conflict
But the civil courts had interposed in between the powers of light and darkmatters so purely spiritual as the ordina- ness which sacred prophecy foretells as
tion, suspension, and deposition of minis- destined to precede the glories of the latters, in the administration of the sacra- ter days. Every thing seems ripening
ments, and in acts of discipline regarding and hastening on to that great, universal,
the admission and rejection of ordinary and terrific struggle. The progress of
members. If this can be done, then there events has led to the full developement
can be no such thing as a spiritual king- of the principles held by the world with




A. 1). 1843.]   HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    -3
regard to Christianity; and, consequent-  The proceedings of the Convocation
tv. has drawn prominently forth that es- the unanimity with which so many minsenltial element in Christianity which the isters had concurred in its strong and
world most intensely hates,-its spiritual self-denying, or rather self-sacrificing reindependence.  The Christian Church solutions, and the quickened attention
must nevertheless continue to hold what and awakened sympathy begun to be mais essential to her union with her Head nifested by the country, seemed for a
and King. Thus the conflicting and an- time to have astonished, and even stuncagonist powers are forming their lines, ned the antagonists of the Church. Remustering their hosts, and taking up their covering from their amazement, they repositions; they must come speedily into sumed their previous artifices, and plied
direct and destructive collision. Chris- them with increased keenness and activitianity may be at first overborne and ty. Every conceivable misrepresentasmitten prostrate; but in its weakest and tion was put forth respecting the motives
most suffering hour, its Divine Head will by which the Convocation was actuated,
interpose for deliverance, when His own the temper and feelings which it displayholy arm shall alone be seen, and not ed, and the conclusion to which it had
man's might or prudence.             come. Perhaps the most general calumSo far as this view is entertained, it ny directed against it was, that it was a
must be regarded as of incalculable im- nefarious attempt to bully and overawe
portance, that the Evangelical Church of the Government; and that, notwithstandScotland, in Convocation met, renewed ing the solemn pledge nihich had been
her Testimony in behalf of the Redeem- taken before God and the world, the
er's Crown. From the beginning of her Convocationists would not quit connecexistence as a national Church, that has tion with the State, and thereby sacrifice
been her peculiar, distinctive, and very their emoluments, though the Legislature
glorious province. Repeatedly has she should refuse redress.  This, of course,
renewed that Testimony in perilous still proceeded upon the deplorable fact,
times,-never without suffering in its that those who uttered these sentiments
behalf, and never without final success. judged others according to their own
And it may be that she is now called standard, and knowing well that they
upon to complete her Testimony in de- would not themselves sacrifice wealth,
fence of the "many crowns" worn by station, and influence, for the sake of
her Divine Head and only King, not conscience, they could not believe that
merely against the power of despotic the evangelical ministers would after all
sovereigns as formerly, but against a still make that sacrifice. Most industriously
more formidable antagonist-the stern was this calumnious theory promulgated,
and pitiless spirit of abstract laws. If and not without some effect, confirming
kings and judges alike,-if the world in the opinions of the worldly-minded, and
its mightiest powers, be resolved to reject exciting suspicions respecting the sincerHis sovereignty, the more imperatively ity of the Church in the minds of many
is the Church called upon to declare in who would otherwise have been her
its defence,-the greater, doubtless, will eager and devoted supporters. In spite
be the peril, and equally the greater will of all these misrepresentations, the cause
be the glory when He shall take to Him  of the Church continued steadily to adhis great power and reign. It would vance, and to gain the favour of all who
appear that the Convocation was led to understood and valued the principles of
alke the true position, and to begin to de- religious liberty.
dare aloud that great Testimony. The   [1843.] But at length, in the midst or
men of the world may slay the wit- this comparative calm, the storm burst
nesses,-they may trample their bodies forth with new power and violence. A
n the dust; but that triumph will be letter from Sir James Graham, Secretary
short.  The spirit of the Lord will en- of State for the Home Department, dated
ter into them,-they will be raised into 4th January 1843, was received by Dr.
the heavens of spiritual life and power, Welsh, the Moderator of the late General
and the city of the persecutors will Assembly, in answer tothe recent Memoperish.                              rial of the Commission.  To what extent




454             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
the appearance of this document was due will loudly pronounce upon the reputed
to the determined conduct of the Convo- author of that document. Nor is it becation, cannot be ascertained, no notice yond the province of the historian, or any
being taken of it in the letter itself; but abuse of his privilege, in some degree to
the spirit and temper of that singular anticipate, on historical grounds, the judgState-paper sufficiently proved that the rnent on such a matter which future times
angry feeling of a galled partizan, rather will most assuredly award and confirm.
than the grave and deliberate thought of  A meeting of the Special Commission
a wise statesman, had presided in its com- was held on the 12th of January, to take
position. It begins by a haughty admis- into consideration the Home Secretary's
sion that the Secretary of State had been remarkable letter, and to frarhe to it such
"unwilling to intercept the transmission an answer as might meet and repel the
to the throne" of the Claim of Right, and injurious perversions with which it so
the Address for the Abolition of Patron- lavishly abounded. It did not indeed lie
age. It then " studiously combines" these directly within the province of the Special
two papers, which had been by the As- Commission to enter into formal corressembly as studiously kept separate; and pondence with Sir James Graham; but
proceeds to reject both applications on the a minute was framed in such a manner
ground of the necessity for defending the as to contain a complete answer, which
civil'rights of patrons. A most unfair was extracted and transmitted to the Home
attempt is then made to represent the Office in the first instance,and then printed
Church as claiming the sole power of and published along with the letter itself.
determining what matters are spiritual, This was rendered absolutely necessary
and what civil, in all questions of disputed in consequence of the extensive circulajurisdiction,-a claim which the Church tion which the opponents of the Church
had repeatedly and most explicitly denied; were eagerly giving to that document.
but which, in truth, formed the very es- It was also resolved that a special meetsence of the civil court's encroachments. ing of the Commission of Assembly
This gratuitous imputation is then cen- should be held on the 31st of January,
sured and condemned, as if it were the for the purpose of having the letter of the
claim which the Church had advanced. Secretary of State laid before them, and
Various other accusations, equally un- of taking into consideration the propriety
founded, are also  urged against the of applying to both Houses of ParliaChurch; and a sufficient amount of mis- ment by petition, and thus obtaining the
representation and calumny having been decision of the Legislature itself as the
vended, the claims of the Church are last resource, now that the sentiments of
wholly and peremptorily rejected. This the Government had been declared. The
letter has been, by the opponents of the minute of the Special Commission was
Church, characterised as a most able and prepared by Mr. Dunlop and though not
statesmanlike document. If it be states- rivalling the sententious brevity of the
manlike to misstate facts,-to put an un- Home Secretary's production, was in
just construction upon arguments,-to every other respect as far superior to it
pervert history —to repeat refuted calum- as truth is to error, sound reasoning to
nies,-to employ sophistry instead of sophistry, and high-minded integrity of
reasoning,-and to repel with haughty principle and purpose, to the subtle wiles
scorn the firm but respectful appeal of a of diplomatic craft.
Christian Church complaining of gross  Before the Commission of Assembly
wrong and outrage,-then was it indeed met, another event had taken place, which
a statesmanlike document, and that, too, would of itself have been subversive of
of the highest order, and Sir James Gra- the Church, if not redressed, On the
ham must ever be renowned as a most 20th of January the Stewarton case was
distinguished statesman.  But if to pen decided, denying the power of the Church
and promulgate such a tissue would stamp to permit ministers of quoad sacra parinfamy upon the basest partizan in some ishes to be members of Church courts,
paltry political intrigue,thenletthe Right and decided by the usual majority of
Honourable Baronet weigh well the sen- eight of the Judges against five. This
tence which truth willdictate, and posterity decision was not unexpected, the opinions




A. D. 1843.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   455
of the Judges on all ecclesiastical matters jority of one hundred and fifteen to twenhaving been previously made sufficiently ty-three; upon which Dr. Cook and his
apparent.  But although the judgment party read a protest, and withdrew.
had  been anticipated,-anticipated  in Thus the first divisive or schismatical
every point of view, not only in the ex- step was actually taken by the Moderate
pectation of both the public and the party, and upon no higher ground than
Church, but also literally, by their Lord- the unconfirmed decision of a subordinate
ships granting interdicts, in many cases, civil court.
on the ground that there were quoad sacra  The subject of Sir James Graham's
ministers in the presbyteries before they letter was then brought before the Conhad themselves decided the question,-yet mission; and Dr. Candlish, in a speech
it was left to be an additional and deadly of great acuteness, eloquence, and power,
blow inflicted on the Church by the civil investigated its leading points, detected its
court. It involved, at least, two fatal ele- perversions and misstatements, exposed
ments: It assumed that the civil court its fallacies, and repelled its unjust accuhad the power of regulating the constitu- sations. He concluded by moving a setion of Church courts, which destroyed ries of resolutions, in which the leading
their independence of itself; and it seemed points of the Home Secretary's letter were
to determine that there were to be thence- directly met, and by which the minute of
forth two orders of ministers in the the Special Commission was adopted as
Church, which would have annihilated the   Commission  of Assembly's own
the principle of ministerial equality, and answer.  This motion was seconded by
rendered it no longer a Presbyterian Dr. Chalmers, who, in a short but exChurch.   It was impossible, therefore, ceedingly clear and forcible speech, exthat the Church could submit to this de- plained the exact position in which the
cision, fatal alike to its primary constitu- Church at that moment stood, the precise
tution, to its spiritual independence, and nature of her claims, the manifest view in
to its very existence as a NationalChurch, which these were regarded by the Govby rendering it incapable of extending its ernment, the utter futility of repealing the
means of religious instruction in propor- Veto Act, the all but absolute certainty
tion to the necessities of an increasing that the Evangelical body must be
population. But it came in time to comn- speedily driven from the Establishment,
plete the melancholy sum of the grievous and the consequent duty and necessity of
wrongs done to the Church of Scotland taking immediate measures to prepare for
by the civil courts, and to give to the Le- that event; so that, come when it might,
gislature the opportunity of redressing Scotland should not be taken by surprise,
them all at once, or of taking upon itself and laid helpless and hopeless beneath
the fearful responsibility of the whole the feet of her enemies, but might yet be
dark series,                          rendered "an experimental garden, coOn the 31st of January the extraor- vered with churches and with schools."
dinary meeting of the Commission of The     resolutions  were carried unaniAssembly was held, for the special pur- mously; and a petition was prepared to
pose of receiving Sir James Graham's be transmitted to Parliament, briefly reletter, and of preparing a petition to Par- capitulating the grievances more fully deliament.  But before its proper business tailed in the Claim of Right, stating those
had begun, Dr. Cook directed its atten- which  had recently taken place, and
tion to the Stewarton decision. and in con- praying that the Church might be heard
formity with it, moved that ministers of by certain of their number, or by their
quoad sacra parishes should not be en- counsel, at the bar of the House of Conrolled, nor permitted to take part in the mons in support of their petition.  This
deliberations of the Commission. Even concluded  the business of this Comthis was premature, as the decision of mission; and it cannot fail to be remarked,
the Court of Session might be appealed that all the elements necessary for bringto the House of Lords, and in fact was ing the conflict to a close were at length
appealed as soon as it could be regularly fully developed, either in actual and vigordone.  Dr. Cook's motion was opposed ous operation, or so clearly indicated that
by Mr. Dunlop, and defeated by a ma- their almost immediate action could not be




456             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
averted. By the Stewarton decision, the the Church should take place, preparalast hope that the Court of Session might tion might have been already made to
possibly pause in its destructive career enable the pastors to continue their miniswas destroyed; by the petition to Parlia- trations without interruption, and to proment, the Church adopted a course which vide at once the means of public worship
rendered it impossible for the Government to all who might adhere to the disestaagain to prevent her claims from being blished Church throughout every part of
brought formally before the Legislature, the kingdom.  The Provisional Cornso as to secure such an answer as might mittee was accordingly formed, and entered
render the path of duty plain; and in the immediately upon  the strenuous disspeech of Dr. Chalmers, an indication charge of its important duties. There
was given that a direct and immediate ap- were three main objects to be accompeal was about to be made to the piety plished, which naturally led to a subdiviand zeal of Scotland for the means of sion of the committee into three main
maintaining, extending, and perpetuating branches.  It was necessary to ascertain
evangelical truth and religious liberty in the numbers of those who adhered to the
the kingdom, out of the pale of the Estab- Claim of Right, and the principles emlishment, since it was too evident that bodied in the resolutionE of the Convocawithin it these were no longer to be tion; and also, by diffusing information,
tolerated.                           to dispel error and prejudice, and increase
It was now universally felt, by all sin- the number of such adherents.  This
cere friends of the Church, that there had formed the peculiar province of the statisbeen enough of mere deliberation, and tical sub-committee. Again,, it was nethat the time for strenuous and united ex- cessary to raise funds for the erection of
ertion had come. Nor were they unpre- places of worship, when the adhering
pared for that immediate action which ministers should have been constrained
was imperatively necessary.  There had by conscience to abandon connection with
been a meeting of elders intimated to the State; and to this the attention of the
be held on the 1st of February, the day building sub-committeewas directed. And
after the Commission.  This meeting further, it was necessary to provide means
was very numerously attended; and after for the support of the ministry, when coma long and earnest discussion respecting pelled to relinquish all claim upon that
the measures which ought to be adoptd statutory support which they had prein an emergency so great, a memorial viously enjoyed, as ministers of an enwas framed to Sir Robert Peel and the dowed Church. This formed the duty
other members of Government, containing of the Financial Committee, in which
a vindication of the Church firom  the was speedily merged the committee of the
unjust aspersions of her adversaries, a Church Defence Associations.
statement of the many and great benefits  This general arrangement having been
which had been conferred on the corn- made and a convener appointed to direct
mnnity by her instrumentality, and an the operations of each sub-committee,
earnest appeal to the justice and the these divisions of the Provisional Compatriotism of her Majesty's administration, mittee entered at once upon the discharge
praying them to interpose and preserve of their important duties, with a degree
an institution so sacred and precious from of wise, zealous, and active energy, alto.
impending destruction. But a still more gether astonishing, meeting everywhere
important step was taken by the meeting encouragement and success far beyond
of elders. It was resolved that a number what almost any person had ventured to
of the most active and influential of anticipate. In order at once to ascertain
the members should, along with the corn- the state of the country with regard to admittee of ministers appointed by the late herents. and to diffuse sound information,
Convocation, constitute a PROVISIONAL the kingdom was divided into districts,
COMMITTEE of interim administration and and deputations were sent throughout it
management; the object of which should to address the people in explanation of the
be to commence active and energetic ex- great principles at stake, to point out the
ertions adequate tothe nature of the crisis almost inevitable certainty of a speedy
at hand; so that when the disruption of disruption of the Church, to ascertain the




A. D. 1842.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  457
number of those who were resolved to and foes alike began to be convinced that
defend religious truth and liberty, and to the Church of Scotland was indeed on the
see what provision could be made, or point of sustaining a shock, the occurwould be required, in every parish, town, rence of which many had hitherto conor county, in the kingdom. The efftct tinued to regard as visionary,-a shock
of these deputations was very great, and which would either separate her as a
very beneficial. Long had the adver- Church fiom the State, or, at least, expel
saries of the Church striven to persuade from her communion the vast body of her
the people, that the whole controversy most able and zealous ministers, and most
was merely one on the part of the minis- pious and right-minded  people. One
ters for power to themselves; and, to a only gleam of hope seemed yet to glimconsiderable extent had the people been mer in the growing darkness. Might it
misled by such misrepresentations.  But not be, that the Legislature, having an
when the real nature of the contest was opportunity of deliberately considering
made known, and the actual state of af- the claims and complaints of the Church,
fairs explained, with all the eloquence of as these had been repeatedly stated and
truth and sincerity, the response was explained by herself, and being at length
equally instantaneous and enthusiastic, convinced that both Church and nation
proving that the heart of Scotland still were in earnest, would, on the presenting
was sound, and the mind of Scotland still of the Commission's petition, grant such
held and valued the principles for which, redress as might avert the threatened cain other days, the Scottish martyrs had lamity?  To this faint gleam the eyes of
borne their dying testimony.         many anxiously tuined; but this, too, was
The feelings thus awakened were not destined to be speedily extinguished.
permitted to die away; the intelligence  When the Right Honourable Fox
thus communicated was not permitted to Maule presented the petition of the Combe forgotten. Associations were formed mission, he also gave notice of a motion,
throughout the whole kingdom, and that the House should go into committee,
placed in connection with the Provisional to take into consideration the claims of
Committee in Edinburgh. A series of the Church of Scotland. On the 7th of
Communications were issued weekly by March, 1843, this motion came under
the Provisional Committee, containing discussion before the House, and occuinformation of what had been done and pied its attention on that and the succeedwas doing in all parts of the kingdom, ing day.  This was the first opportunity
suggesting the most suitable measures to that had been obtained for bringing the
be adopted, giving directions how these whole subject formally under the delibercould be most successfully carried into ate consideration of the House, though
effect, and thus at once completely in- speeches relating to it had been uttered
structing  and  thoroughly organizing on various occasions. The whole questhe entire  adhering  community. So tion was stated with great distinctness
thoroughly was the kingdom organized, and force of argument by Mr. Fox Maule;
and so extensive was the demand for these its legal character was explained and
Communications, that there were issued vindicated with remarkable ability by Mr.
of them, not under 100,000, and more Rutherford; the inconsistencies of the
frequently 150,000 every week.  The Church's opponents were detected, and
enemies of the Churchof Scotland began their calumnies exposed and repelled
at length to perceive that she possessed a with fervid and glowing eloquence by
vitality and a power, the remotest idea of Mr. P. M. Stewart, and Mr. Campbell of
which had never entered into their inag- Monzie; and Sir G. Gray, in a calm and
ination. In vain did Moderate and ir- dispassionate, but generous and truly
religious periodicals ply their old work of statesman-like speech, gave his support
slander and falsehood. The Church held to the motion. On the other hand, Sir
on her course, obstructed by their darkest James Graham opposed it, repeating in
insinuations and their loudest outcries, no an expanded form the groundless and inmore than the moon's path in the heavens jurious misrepresentations that formed
is obstructed by the murky clouds and the substance of his sententious letter,baying dogs beneath. And both friends declaring that the claim of the Church
58




458             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI,
of Scotland to co-ordinate jurisdiction in- by whom the Church of Scotland's claims
dependent of the civil courts in spiritual were opposed, displaying chiefly, as they
matters, was " so unjust and unreasonable, did, utter ignorance of the subject, with
that the sooner the House extinguished one exception.  That exception was the
it the  better;" the Solicitor-General speech of Mr. Colquhoun of Killermont,
evaded, but did not even attempt to meet who had previously endeavoured to disMr. Rutherford's legal argument; and tinguish himself as a zealous friend and
Sir Robert Peel gave utterance to senti- strenuous supporter of the Church of
ments which not only proved his entire Scotland,-who had advocated her claims
and unchangeable opposition to the claims both in speeches and pamphlets, and who
of the Church, but also revealed the true now, in her hour of extremity, not only
cause of that opposition. "If," said he, deserted but misrepresented her cause.
"a Church chooses to participate in the Nay more, he presumed to print and
advantages appertaining to an Establish- circulate letters to those ministers who
ment, that Church-whether it be the had signed the Convocation's.resolutions,
Church of England, the Church of Rome, in which he endeavoured, by sophistry,
or the Church of Scotland,-that Church and by drawing guilefully pathetic picmust conform itself to the law."  This tures of the calamities which might befall
declaration, delivered with even vehe- their families, to persuade them to abanment emphasis, clearly proved that, in don the principles which they had in the
Sir Robert Peel's opinion, a Church can- most solemn manner avowed and pledged
not both be established, and at the same themselves to maintain. True, the temptime enjoy spiritual independence,-a tation did not succeed, but for that no
principle to which the Church of Scot- thanks were due to the tempter.,And
land never assented, which gives to as an act of historical and retributive jusVoluntaries all that their argument re- tice, his name is here singled out that
quires for the overthrow of Establish- posterity may fix upon it the brand of rements, and which that statesman may yet probation which it deserves.
learn to be incompatible with the per-  The result was, that the motion, and
manent existence of any Established by consequence the Church of Scotland's
Church in the present stage and condi- claims, were rejected by a majority of
tion of society, Again he declared, " My 135, the votes being 211 against, and 76
opinion is, that such claims, were you to for the motion. It deserves, however, to
concede-them, would be unlimited in be stated, that of the Scottish members
their extent. They could not be limited who voted, there was a decided majority,
to the Church of Scotland. A principle, 25 to 12,'in favour of the motion, renderthen, is involved, and if the principle be ing it all the more manifest that the spiriconceded by the House of Commons, tual liberties of the Church of Scotland
why, the House of Commons must be were indeed overthrown, as had at the
prepared to carry it out." It was, per- Union been dreaded, by English and
haps, creditable to the candour of the Prelatic influence.*
Right Honourable Baronet. that he made  From  this time forward it was no
such a statement, but not equally to his longer doubtful that a disruption of the
prudence.  For it proved that what the Church would take place. This was inChurch and people of Scotland dreaded deed rendered absolutely inevitable by
at the time of the Union, and strove to the destruction of every lingering hope
prevent by the Act of Security, had at that the Legislature might interpose in a
length taken place; and that the British favourable manner, and the path of duty
Parliament, in violation of national faith, was. at the same time, rendered clear by
had destroyed the spiritual independence the removal of that obstacle which might
of the Church of Scotland, in order to have continued to hamper some, had no
prevent that great and sacred principle answer been obtained.  So far the event
from extending to England, and disturb- was propitious, deplorable as in every
ing the torpor of her wealthy but secu- other sense it must be regarded. The
larized and enslaved Establishment.
It is not necessary to characterise the  - It scarcely requires to be noted, that the influence
speeches o<n f kthe various other members aof thebishops was understood tobe strenuously exerted
Speeches of the various other members | against the claims of the Church of Scotland.




A. D. 1843.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    459
only point on which any contest could became obvious, that the Church was no
now be waged was with regard to the longer in a condition to exercise the right
approaching General Assembly. As the of choosing representatives, and that
Evangelical body had held a decided therefore a free and lawfully constituted
and evena growing majority since 1834, General Assembly could not be held.
it was desirable that: it should be retained, In this manner the Church was absoluteso that the Church should, by the voice ly shut up to one only course of proceof her highest court, formally relinquish dure, to preserve her spiritual liberties as
her connection with the State, since she a Church of Christ.
could not conform to the conditions on  In the meantime the preparations to
which alone the Legislature had now   meet the now inevitable disruption were
declared that the benefits of an Establish- carried on with increasing activity and
ment could be granted.  This, on the success. New associations were rapidly
other hand, it was the obvious policy of formed in every quarter, great numbers
the Moderate party, of the civil courts, readilyjoining who had hitherto continued
and of the State itself to prevent; both to stand aloof. Large sums were subbecause they would thereby diminish scribed both for the erection of churches,
the effect upon the country, and would and for the support of the ministry. Plans
escape from  the perilous necessity of were prepared by a very skilful architect,
actually "creating a Church," to use according to which, places of worship
their own expression. Every effort ac- might be built sufficiently commodious
cordingly was made, and every artifice and comfortable, and yet at: a very reduemployed, in order to break down the ced scale of expenditure, compared with
Evangelical majority. In all presbyteries the usual cost of such buildings. Scotwhere the Moderates formed the majority land began again to display her warm
they returned as members of Assembly'heart, strong mind, and unconquerable
only those of their own party, a course energy of character, when thus once more
which was perfectly legitimate, however aroused to assert and defend her religious
unusual; in others they first proposed the liberty. Nor did these quickened efforts
exclusion of the quoad sacra ministers, bear at all the aspect of being called forth
and when outvoted, they withdrew, formed by the energy of despair.  There was
themselves into a separate presbytery, and doubtless some anxiety till: the final step
chose their own members, and in a consid- should be taken; but there was a cheererable number of instances a junction fulness of manner, an open and warm
took place between them and the middle frankness of intercourse, a fearless and
party, by which a: majority was obtained, manly independence of demeanour, and
and persons of their own principles through all,. and above all, a solemn sechosen. In some presbytercs a still more riousness, which told of peace, comfort,
violent course was followed. Interdicts and hope, such as the world could neither
were sought and obtained to prevent give nor take away; of light, encouragequoad sacra ministers from  sitting in ment, and strength, sought and obtained
presbyteries; and in one remarkable ease,. from heaven; and of that fear of God
first the presbytery of Perth, and then the which enables the heart to triumph over
synod, were interdicted from holding their all other fear..
regular meetings for despatch of business,  There were a few events of inferior
unless all such ministers were first ex- importance which took place between the
eluded. These lawless encroachments rejection of the Church's petition by the
might have been resisted, and presby- Legislature, and the meeting of Assemteries might have disregarded them, and bly,-events which did not attract much
proceeded according to their own consti- public notice, in consequence of the entutional rights and privileges; but they grossing attention bestowed on the precould have done so only with the certain- paration for what was so soon to take place,
ty of being dragged before the Court of and which yet deserve to be briefly menSession, and punished by heavy fines, per- tioned. On the 21st of March the action
haps: imprisonment, for the offence of for damages against the Presbytery of
breaking the interdicts of that Court, and Dunkeld, arising out of the Lethendy case,
setting its authority at defiance. It thus was decided. Lord Cunninghame pre



460             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
siding in the trial. It was proved that declaring that to be law which they afno damage of a civil nature had been sus- firmed was not law, would be equivalent
tained by patron or presentee. A previous to a censure upon the solemn judgment
judgment of the Court of Session had of the House. Several sharp and keen
awarded the fruits of the benefice to the altercations followed, at different times,
patron; the presentee had been residing on the same subject, the result of which
for a considerable time in the manse, and was a compromise, Lord Aberdeen renin the undisturbed possession of the civil dering his bill declaratory in some, and
emoluments; nothing, in short, was want- enacting in others of its clauses. This
ing to him but ordination, and the Court modification, however, took place at a difof Session had empowered the Moderate ferent stage, to which reference will, in
minority to ordain Mr. Clark themselves, the proper place, be made.
so that there was not the shadow of a  Such was the state of affairs when the
ground on which an action of damages time for the meeting of the General Ascould rest, it being utterly impossible for sembly drew near.  There was scarcely
the majority to inflict any injury of either a single point of the conflict which had
a civil or a spiritual nature. Yet Lord not been fought out,-scarcely a single
Cunninghame, in his charge to the jury, disputed question which had not been
asserted damages to be due; and the jury, resolved so as to cause its primary elethus instructed, awarded them, though to ments to appear.  During the course of
a considerably less amount than had been the protracted struggle, every leading
claimed. At the conclusion of Lord Cun- principle of the Church of Scotland's con-.ninghame's charge, certain exceptions to stitution had been assailed and overborne
it were taken by Mr. Rutherford, counsel by the decisions of the civil courts, so
for the presbytery, so clear, searching, that her entire government and discipline
and indisputable, that the learned judge, had been subverted. Kirk-sessions and
even in his pride of place and power, presbyteries had been prevented from
shrunk from  all discussion regarding exercising discipline, as in the case of the
them. The result of this trial was a very parish of Inverkeillor, and Presbytery
marked demonstration of the distinction of Arbroath.  The Court of Session had
between power and right; for the civil assumed the power of determining who
courts had assumed and exercised the were or were not to be rulers and officepower of inflicting damages, even where bearers, as ministers and elders in the
no injury had been sustained; but by all possession of all their due functions, preunprejudiced people it was felt, that in venting the Church from extending relitheir eagerness to crush the Church gious instruction to the people, and deeourts, they had perpetrated a grievous stroying the principle of Presbyterian
wrong, from which the moral sense of equality of ministers, as in the case of
mankind recoiled with blended feelings Stewarton, affecting all quoad sacra
of shame and indignation, to see such parishes.  It had been decided that the
things done under the sanction of law, minority of a presbytery might supersede
and in a free and civilized, and nominally the majority, though fewer than the legal
Christian country.                   number required to constitute a presbyNot long afterwards, a discussion arose tery at all, and might, in defiance of the
in the House of Lords which threatened orders of every superior Church court,
to embarrass the Government in its in- transact business, and give license, inductended course. The Earl of Aberdeen tion, and ordination, as in the case of
had intimated his design of again intro- Auchterarder.  The Court of Session
ducing his former bill, with such explana- had assumed and exercised the power of
tion and modifications as might be thought removing the sentence of deposition, and
necessary or desirable. The speech of restoring deposed persons to their ecclehis Lordship gave offence to the Law  siastical character, as in the case of
Lords, who complained that such a bill as Strathbogie.  Damages had been found
he had described, bearing the title of a due to a rejected presentee, against the
declaratory enactment, would be contrary majority of a presbytery, because they
to the principles on which they had de- refused to ordain him, although he was in
cided the Auchterarder appeals, and by possession of the fruits of the benefice, and




A. D. 1843.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  461
the civil court had empowered the minority gelical Christianity to suspect its ministers
to confer ordination, as in the case of Leth- of being men who value worldly wealth
endy. And, as if to complete the utter and honour more than a good conscience
prostration of religious liberty, the Court and the command of God. But it seemed
of Session first interdicted the Church that Lord Aberdeen had been partly percourts from ordaining ministers on the suaded that conscience did in reality exercall of the people, where no civil interests cise some power in the minds of Presof other parties could possibly be involved, byterian ministers,-a persuasion which
as in the cases of Marnoch and Stewarton, only led him to make a new attempt to
and then inflicted a fine upon those who delude it, and to bring its influence then
had, in a matter so purely and exclusively into operation on his side. A short time
spiritual, dared to obey God rather than before the meeting of the Assembly, he
man.   And both Government and the made a public statement in the House of
Legislature had distinctly and peremp- Lords respecting the principles of such
torily refused to redress these grievous a bill as the Government might yet bring
wrongs, to restrain the civil courts within forward. This statement was considertheir own proper jurisdiction, and to pro- ably plausible, and made some impression
tect the Church of Scotland from being on those who equally longed for a peaceagain exposed to similar violent encroach- ful settlement and dreaded a disruption.
ments upon those sacred rights and pri- And soon afterwards, in answer to some
vileges "which God has given to His questions asked by the Marquis of BreadChurch."                             albane, he repeated his subtle sophisms,
There were, in these circumstances, and concluded by saying, that if the minbut two possible courses for the Church isters should secede without seeing his
to follow:-either to sink at once into newly modelled bill, " they would not be
the condition of a merely secular institu- able, at the last day, to call the God of
tion, the creature and the slave of the Truth to witness that they had been
State; or, to retain her God-given prin- driven to that course by the persecution
ciples in all their holy and free integrity, of the Legislature."  This was the most
and to resign that position and those deceitful and cruel part of all the deceitemoluments which could no longer be ful and cruel course of diplomatic craft
retained without sin and dishonour. Few  so steadily prosecuted by the Earl of
of the truly religious, either ministers or Aberdeen, as became afterwards manifest
people, doubted for a moment which al- when the bill was produced, and was
ternative the Evangelical body would found to contain, in an enacting clause,
choose. But by men of the world in an express and special condemnation of
general, and by the Moderate party in that principle, without the sanctioned
particular, it was still believed, that when existence of which the Church had dethe time for quitting the Erastianized dared that she could not continue in conEstablishment should come, by far the nection with the State. His Lordship's
greater proportion would succumb, and diplomatic craft was again unsuccessful.
nothing but a very few of the leading Men asked the opposite question, —lf the
men would redeem the pledges which Earl of Aberdeen has a measure which
had been repeatedly and most solemnly will preserve the Church in its integrity
made to their own conscience, to evan- as a national institution, how will he
gelical Christianity, and to their great answer at the last day for not producing
God and Saviour. That such a supposi- it in time to prevent her overthrow?tion should be entertained, was not less and if he has not, but merely means to
discreditable to those who entertained it, deceive, how will he answer for this
than insulting and injurious to the char- appeal to the God of Truth? A feeling
acter of evangelical Christianity. It is of high-toned moral indignation, roused
discreditable to any man to suspect others by this fresh insult and outrage, swept
of dishonesty and guile, exposing him to away at once the wicked sophistry, and
the charge of judging them by himself, the Church held on her course.
and therefore of being himself dishonest  On the Monday before the meeting of
and guileful. And it is highly insulting the General Assembly, that is, on the
and injurious to the character of evan- 15th day of May, a large proportion of




^,2        HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. XI
the ministers who had signed the resolu- this course was at once apparent, and it
tions of the Convocation assembled in obtained unanimous approbation. A proEdinburgh, to hold a closing consulta- test was then framed, deliberately read,
tion, preparatory to the adoption of a and cordially,even enthusiasticallyadopted
final measure and the taking of a final by the whole ministers and elders present
step. The subject of deliberation was, who had signed the resolutions of the
whether the refusal of Government and Convocation, those who had formerly
the Legislature to the applications of the given a modified adherence withdrawing
Church amounted to such a rejection of that modification, and joining unreservher claims for redress, as to realize the edly with their brethren. The protest*
position contemplated in the second series: thus resolved upon was prepared chiefly
of resolutions, and to render an immediate by Mr. Dunlop, and was unquestionably
separation from the State an act of neces-, the most complete and the ablest docusary duty. There were.a few, and but a ment to which the whole contest had
few, whom Lord Aberdeen's sophistry given rise, summing up the main eleand appeal to God had so far influenced, ments of the great controversy, exhibiting
that they could almost have been per- the successive encroachments of the civil
suaded to consent to a brief period of courts, and stating the inevitable conseprolonged delay. But when Dr. Gordon, quences as violating both the constitution
in a speech of astonishing mental power, of the Church of Scotland, and the prinloftiness of principle, and Christian dig- ciples and laws of every true Christian
nity, had detected and exposed the hollow  Church, as contained in the sacred Scripcharacter of the proposed mode of settle- tures, with such distinctness, perspicuity,
ment, and insisted on the imperative ne- and force, that it was impossible either to
cessity of maintaining principle at all: misunderstand the meaning or evade the
hazards; and when Mr. Campbell of reasoning of this unanswerable arguMonzie had further revealed and con- ment. With the adoption of this admirdemned the tissue of diplomatic craft with able protest terminated the private, deliwhich it had been hoped that the Church berations of that Evangelical majority,
might yet be ensnared and fettered; every who, since 1834, had striven to reform
doubt vanished, every difficulty disap- and defend the beloved and venerated
peared, and with one heart and mind the Church of their fathers, and who were now
band of brothers next addressed their prepared to preserve her principles and
thoughts to deliberate by what course, her honour, though allelse should be lost.
and in what manner, the closing event  The day had now come,-the day big
might be most suitably accomplished. with the fate of the Church of Scotland,
Nor was this a difficult point to deter- and without presumption it may be added,
mine. Not only were there double re- with the spiritual welfare of Christendom.
turns of commissioners to the Assembly It was a bright and lovely day of Mayfrom twelve presbyteries, in consequence the memorable 18th-when nearly all
chiefly of the schismatical procedure of that Scotland could produce of aristocratic
the Moderate party, but one entire pres- grandeur, and civic authority, and legal
bytery was disfranchised by an interdict; dignity, and clerical aspiration, and minand many members were also interdicted isterial worth, and upright integrity, and
from taking their places. It was evident, fervent piety, and eager curiosity, thronged
therefore, that the Assembly could not be the ancient capital, and poured their countregarded as a free and lawful Assembly, less multitudes along her streets, and to
duly elected according to the laws and every point of peculiar importance. The
the constitution of the Church of Scot- reign of silence in grey Holyrood was
land.  The proper course accordingly interrupted, for the annual glitter and
was, that so soon as the Assembly should noisy bustle of reflected royalty was
be met, and before it was constituted, a there; the sombre aspect of the old town
protest against it, as unconstitutional and was changed into the brightness of a
bereft of its due freedom, should be taken gorgeous procession, as her Majesty's
by the Evangelical body, and that they commissioner proceeded to the cathedral
should then retire and form themselves church of St. Giles; and a close-pent
into a separate court. The propriety of      The Protest, see Appendix.




A. D. 1843.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                   463
crowd had already, from an early hour, -  According to the usual form of profilled St. Andrews, where the Assembly cedure, this is the time for making up
was ere long to meet. Slowly the hours the roll; but, in consequence of certain
wore past till the levee terminated, and proceedings affecting our rights and prithe sermon had been preached by Dr. vileges,-proceedings which have been
Welsh, the moderator of the preceding sanctioned by her Majesty's Government,
Assembly,-a sermon distinguished alike and by the Legislature of the country,
by clearness of thought, loftiness of prin- and more especially in respect that there
ciple, and emphatic energy of expression. has been an infringement on the liberties
Then began the active interest of the day. of our constitution, so that we could not
The streets were filled by a dense mass now constitute this Court without a violaof human beings; and it required the. tion of the terms of the union between
utmost exertions of a large body of police Church and State in this land, as now
to open an avenue through the multitude, authoritatively declared, I must protest
such as to permit the processional move- against our proceeding further.  The
ment of the commissioner to advance. reasons that have led me to this conAs' the brilliant train swept past, it was clusion are fully set forth in the docuregarded by the people with utter indif- ment which I hold in my hand, and
ference,-their beloved Church was on which, with permission of the House, I
her trial, and what was shadowed royalty shall now proceed to read."  He then
compared to that? When:the slow pro- read the protest, laid it on the table
cession passed; the vast crowd closed be- before the clerk, and bowing to the
hind it, as the disparted ocean wave closes throne where sat the Commissioner,
behind the gliding ship. Within the As- attended by the law  officers of the
sembly Hall, in St. Andrew's Church, crown, withdrew, closely followed by all
the tramp of steeds, the clash of military the men of distinguished genius, and
accoutrements, and the ringing swell of talent, and learning, and piety, and faithmartial music was heard; the langour fulness, and energy, and zeal, —by all
of long hours was at once thrown off whose lives and labours had shed fresh
and all prepared, with sharpened eye and grace and glory on the Church of Scotmind, to notice and to treasure up in land, as honoured servants of her Head
memory's most retentive tablets the even and King. A long-drawn sobbing sigh,
awfully important events of each next a suppressed cheer, at once of admiration
trembling moment.   All were keenly and deep sympathy, swept round the
alive, yet all were deeply still, in the in- Church, as the crowded spectators gazed
tense eagerness of curiosity, or the solemn intently on the strangely solemn scene.
earnestness of prayer.               As man by man rose and joined the reThe members ofAssembly came throng- tiring band, and seat by seat was emptied
ing in by either door. On the Moderate on the left side of the throne, the Moside, there was the appearance of uncer- derate party, the attendants of the comtainty and care, and somewhat, perhaps, missioner, and the Commissioner himself,
of gloomy fear, lest after all their victory gazed on with countenances expressive
should prove more disastrous than defeat; of astonishment and dismay. They were
and on the Evangelical side, there was beginning to learn that religious liberty
that grave and settled seriousness of was a reality which the powers of the
aspect, that chastened awe of mien and world might assail, but could not conbearing which men wear when engaged quer; that faith and truth had yet a
in some great and sacred enterprise. The home upon the earth, and that there excommissioner, the Marquis of Bute, en- isted a class of men to whom stainless
tered, and was received with the usual integrity of character, and a conscience
ceremonies of respect.  The moderator void of offence, and spiritual independence,
opened the meeting with prayer.  Then and the glory of the Redeemer's Crown,
followed a pause of brief duration, but were more precious than all that the
of dead silence, unbroken save by the world could give or take away.   In
quickened beatings of a thousand hearts. some instances, the excited aspect of
Again the moderator spoke, uttering boasting and baffled scorners was even
slowly, and firmly the following words: fearful; some who but a few hours be



464             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. XI.
fore had sent intimation to Government vine Head and King rendered her path
that not thirty ministers would leave the one of serenity and peace. Yet when
Establishment, and whose faces, as they the protesting ministers and elders took
marked the event, grew livid and ghastly their places in the space reserved for them
with agitation.                      in the spacious Hall, within which alreaAt the door of the church, and in the dy at least three thousand spectators had
street immediately in front of it, there had assembled, and when Dr. Welsh opened
been some excitement among the crowd the meeting with a prayer remarkable
from their closeness to the scene, and yet for solemnity of tone, comprehensiveness
the impossibility of knowing what was of thought, and even sublime fervour of
going on within.   " When will they devotional spirit, many a bosom could no
come 2"  They will not come."  " They longer restrain its full and bursting emowill come," had been the abruptly inter- tions, and many a grave and manly counchanged exclamations, when the door tenance was copiously bathed in tears.
opened, and "Here they come t" announced It was not sorrow, still less was it regret;
to the vast multitude that the deed was it was the outpouring of unutterable gratidone, and that the Evangelical Church of tude to God for that grace which had
Scotland was free! Instantly the whole enabled them to maintain their integrity,
mass of people was in motion, hats and and to bear an unshaken testimony to the
handkerchiefs were waved aloft, and a truth of Christ's mediatorial sovereignty,
shout, not loud nor long, but deep and and for that providential goodness which
earnest,-a shout, the voice of the heart had watched over them, preserved them
rather than of the lip, burst from the from all strife and confusion, and given
countless thousands that thronged street, to all their proceedings that air of calm
and door, and window, and even housetop, untroubled dignity which so well bewherever a foot could be perched and a seemed the sacred nature and the vast imview obtained. And how were the min- portance of the event. Another mode of
isters to work their way through that relief to the full heart was obtained when
dense crowd. No civic force was there that great multitude stood up to sing the
to clear a path; the military had retired; praises of the Lord, in such a strain of
but with one similtaneous impulse the rejoicing and adoring melody as human
mass divided right and left, and opened ears have seldom heard, and human voices
an avenue in the middle of the street so seldom raised to heaven. But enough;
broad that four might walk abreast, and the whole scene was far beyond descripthrough that living lane, the venerable tion,-a scene such as to share in and
defenders of religious liberty moved calm- behold, might have amply repaid the toils
ly and steadily on along the line of street and sorrows of a lifetime,-a scene worth
leading to their appointed place of meet- living to witness, worth dying to realize.
ing at Tanfield Hall, on the north side of  The events which followed are too rethe city, in the valley formed by the wa- cent in their occurrence, and too deeply
ter of Leith. Never, perhaps, was there engraved on the mind of the country, to
a more signal instance beheld of the pow- require to be here recorded in minute deer which tried and trusted moral worth tail. Afew only of those which were of
and religious dignity exercises over the chief importance may be briefly stated.
mind of man, than in that marvellous Dr. Welsh, in a short emphatic speech,
spectacle; and frankly did many stran- moved that Dr. Chalmers should be chogers, natives of other lands, who were sen Moderator of this the First General
present, declare, that in no country but Assembly of the Free Church of ScotScotland could such a moral and religious land. The motion was carried by acclatriumph have been displayed. Not one mation, and Dr. Chalmers took the chair.
single jarring incident occurred; no The 43d Psalm was then sung, prayer
haste, no confusion disturbed the great was again offered up to God, and the Asand grave solemnity of the Church of sembly was thus regularly constituted.
Scotland's Exodus; her friends were Dr. Chalmers then commenced the busistilled from tumultuary applause, her ene- ness by an address, in which he recapitumies were restrained from wrathful vio- lated the principles of the recent conflict,
lence, and the presiding care of her Di- as necessarily the same on which the new




A. D. 1843.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                     465
Assembly was now constituted and pre- swerving heart and steady hand, calmly.
pared henceforth to act; viewed the posi- completed the sacrifice of all their worldly
tion which must now be occupied, and possessions, and their station in society,
the course of conduct which ought to be for the sake, as they firmly believed and
followed towards other parties; and con- deeply felt of Christ's Crown and Covecluded with a beautiful statement and ap- nant.*  At least five hours were occupied
plication of the sacred principles and hea- in the deliberate execution of this singuvenly affections that knit together the larly impressive and self-denying deed;
hearts and minds of faithful pastors and and yet throughout this protracted period
their pious people.  It was then proposed there appeared no symptom of either exby Dr. Candlish, that the Assembly citement or langour. It was the result,
should assume into their body, as mem- not of hasty and fickle passion, but of
bers of the House, all those ministers who steady and unchangeable principle; it
had signed the Protest, or a concurrence was the deed of the soul, rather than of
in it, together with one elder from each the heart; it had been caused, and it was
adhering kirk-session.  This proposal accomplished by the power of spiritual
was received with unanimous approba- and eternal truth, and therefore it distion; and thus the Assembly was put in a played somewhat of the majestic serenity
position to complete, by means of a for- and immoveable steadfastness of eternity
mal Deed of. Demision, individually itself.
signed, the separation of the Free Protest-  As much important business connected
ing Church of Scotland from the State, with the reorganization of the Church reand from the Erastianized Establishment. quired to be done, the Assembly continued
The time of several successive days its sittings with unabated zeal, attended
was occupied in receiving deputations by crowds displaying undiminished interfrom other Churches, who expressed their est in its proceedings, till the evening of
concurrence in the principles and sym- Tuesday, May 30, when it was closed
pathy with the sufferings of the Free after an address by Dr. Chalmers, in
Church; in hearing the reports of the which the rare combination of genius,
sub-divisions of the Provisional Commit- wisdom, and piety, which characterizes
tee, and of the Committees for managing that distinguished servant of God was
the Schemes of the Church, of which the pre-eminently displayed. So terminated
one for the conversion of the Jews ob- the memorable FIRST GENERAL ASSEMtained the precedence; and in receiving BLY OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,
the declared adherence of a large body of having by its noble and self-denying,
probationers, during the course of which or rather self-sacrificing DEED OF DEMISproceeding, many very eloquent and very SION, saved both the principles and the
impressive addresses called forth the deep character of the true Evangelical and:
emotions of the vast audience.    At Presbyterian Church, for which the Scotlength, on Tuesday, the 23d of May, the tish reformers toiled, and the Scottish
Act of Separation and Deed of Demis- martyrs died, from the imminent peril to
sionf was read, received the approbation which they were exposed by the treacheof the Assembly, and was prepared for rous and the faint-hearted within the
receiving the signatures of all adhering camp, and the fierce hostility and subtle
ministers and elders. All other business guile of the civil powers without.  Firmwas suspended, that this momentous act ly and fully had the faithful ministers remight with due deliberation and solemni- deemed all their pledges, and  borne
ty be done, in the presence of the whole their testimony, and suffered the loss of
Assembly.   The roll of names was called all things in defence of the Saviour's
in the usual arrangement of synods and Crown, and the sacred rights and privipresbyteries.  Ten by ten the members leges of His Church and people; but
rose, moved to the platform behind the there was not a man of that God!-fearing
Moderator's chair, and there, with un- and world-defying band whose deepest
thought was not, "Not we, but the grace,
It was a curious and an encouraging coincidence,
hat as the Church of Scotland had been the first
Church that sent missionaries to the Jews so to resume  t The number of those who signed on that day was
that mission was the first enterprise of the Free Church. 386; additional signatures, subsequently given, have
t Deed of Demission, see Appendix.  raised it to upwards of 470.
59




"466             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
of God in us." And when they departed, sion null and void from the beginning,
not as usual to return to homes rendered thereby admitting the power of the civil
doubly dear in all their hallowed tran- courts to determine who were to be the
quillity by a period of toilful absence, but members of ecclesiastical courts, consentto break up their households, and to go ing to the unpresbyterian theory of two
forth as strangers and pilgrims in reality, orders of ministers, and allowing hostile
into a world whose hostility was but landholders to stop at pleasure the extentoo surely known, it was not with feel- sion of religious instruction to those who
ings of woe and despondency, but with were destitute of that blessing; they rethe deep and chastened joy of hearts con- scinded the original and recently revived
scious of temptations repelled, duty dis- laws respecting the popular election of
charged, trials well and fully endured, elders, thereby depriving the people of
and souls graciously strengthened by in- representatives and protectors in Church
ward spiritual might, and thus prepared courts; they restored the Strathbogie men
for all that should lie before them, in act- to their status as ministers, without reing or suffering, till their Christian war- poning them, as if no sentence of deposifare should be done, and they should be tion had been passed, thereby sanctioning
called to enter into the rest that remaineth the fatal theory, that the sentence of
for the people of God, who have "fought Church courts may be disregarded as
the good fight and finished their course." null and void, though not proved sinful,
It is a melancholy contrast to turn to the which, if followed out, would foster inproceedings of what has been not inaptly subordination, and end in dissociation and
called, the Residuary Assembly.  The anarchy; they rescinded all the sentences
state of feeling in that Assembly produced of deposition passed upon ministers conby the disruption. seemed at first to be the victed of criminal and immoral conduct,
blank confusion of utter amazement and remitting these cases to their respective
dismay.   Never, till that moment, had presbyteries, " to take such steps in the
they realized the idea that the Evangeli- matter as they should see fit;" and they
cal ministers were men of greater sin- restored the Act of 1799, thereby cutting
cerity and rectitude than themselves,- themselves off from religious communion
hence the incredulity which they had all with every Church in the world.
along entertained, and the false reports  Such were the proceedings of the Mowhich they had transmitted to Govern- derate and Erastian Assembly; and thus,
ment, respecting the probability of the in one short week, they swept away the
threatened disruption which had now  reformation of nine years, and did their
taken place. It was not till the Monday utmost to place the Establishment in the
that they were sufficiently recovered from  exact position which it had occupied at
their stunning astonishment to proceed to the end of the preceding century; as if
the despatch of business. But then they utterly unaware, that though Moderatism
went forward with the blended eagerness may have no power of life and motion,
of tyrants and servility of slaves, increased the mind of man and the affairs of society
by the blind impetuosity of men acting live and advance, and that, therefore, a
under the spell of infatuation. Adopting, system unable to adapt itself to the spirit
apparently, the Letter of Her Majesty's of the age cannot be maintained. But
Administration* as the supreme law by they had pleased the Government, they
which their whole conduct was to be had harmonized with the civil courts,
guided, they repealed the Act on Calls, they had expelled the popular element
commonly denominated the Veto Act, and influence from their own courts, they
thereby subjecting the people entirely to had been relieved from the disturbing
the despotism  of patrons and Church mental, moral, and spiritual energy of
courts, and at the game time admitting the their evangelical antagonists, and they
principle, that the Church was bound might surely at length hope for a period
to regulate its procedure according to the of untroubled repose. True, there was
dictates of the civil courts; they expelled some dread that the Free Church might
the whole of the quoti sacra ministers, yet cross their path; and there was a nedeclaringfhe act whiJh gave them admis- cessity for filling the demitted charges'Queei's Letter,see Appendix.  with all convenient speed; and there




A. D. 1842.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                    467
might be some uneasy misgivings about tyrs; yet a few sentences maybe allowed
the probabilities of the future; and there in which to trace its operations in its new
could be little ground of trust in the sup- condition, as the Free Protesting Church
port of an approving Providence; but of Scotland. It was well and truly said
they had the security of continuing to by several of the deputations from other
dwell in their manses and receive their Churches, that whatever the remaining
stipend, though their ministry should be Establishment might be called, they had
deserted by the people; and they had the no difficulty in perceiving that the Free
prospect of obtaining translations to those Church was the Church of the Scottish
more lucrative or dignified positions, out people-that she already possessed their
of which treachery, fraud, and force, had hearts, and had nothing to do but to go
expelled their better brethren.*      forth and possess the land. On the SabLord  Aberdeen, as was previously bath after the termination of the Assemstated, had given intimation of a bill soon bly, the ministers of the Free Church abto be introduced, such as ought, in his stained from using their former places of
opinion, to have prevented the disruption worship, and preached in halls, or barns,
of the Church.  On the 1st of June his or in the open air, to audiences many
lordship brought forward his bill, which times more numerous, and unspeakably
proved to be his former measure, some- more intensely attentive than had ever
what altered for the worse. It had to en- before  attended  their  ministrations.
counter the direct opposition of the Law  There was in their own devotions and
Lords, who affirmed that it gave power instructions a fervour, a pathos, and a
to the Church courts to infringe the spirituality to which they had rarely or
rights of patrons, and was contrary to the never before attained; and their people
Auchterarder decision.  Well did the gazed on them and listened to them with
earl know, that no Moderate presbytery an earnest sympathizing and admiring
would ever dispute the authority of pa- love, which rendered every word pre.
trons; but to mitigate the hostility of his cious, and its impression deep and lastlearned and noble antagonists, he con- ing. It may be safely said, that the gossented that it should be both declaratory pel was, that day, preached in Scotland
and enacting,-declaring that to be law  to a greater number of eager and attenwhich had yet to be enacted, and enacting tive auditors than had ever before listened
that which had already been declared, and to its hallowed message. And yet thac
thus reducing the whole measure to a was but the beginning.  From Sabbath
tissue of preposterous absurdity.  When to Sabbath, and on almost every weekthe bill came before the House of Corn- day evening, the people sought to hear,
mons, it was again encountered and ex- and the ministers of the Free Church
pcsed with such skill and power by the hastened to proclaim, the glad tidings of
friends of the Free Church, that it nar- salvation. Nor did this remarkable avidirowly escaped rejection.  And after it ty of the people to hear, and willingness
had become law, it was so little satisfacto- of the ministers to preach, bear almost
ry to the Establishment, that at the meet- any reference to the recent controversy
ing of their Commission it was strongly and its result; but both ministers and
censured by a large and influential mi- people felt themselves at lastfree, and they
nority of that body. So ended the glories used that freedom in the service of their
of Aberdeen diplomacy in ecclesiastical Divine Lord and Master.
affairs, with the dissatisfaction of all par-  At the same time, as the hearts of the
ties concerned.                       people had been opened to receive the
Although the history of the Church of gospel, so were their hands opened to
Scotland properly ends with the dises- contribute towards its support and extentablishment of that evangelical body sion throughout the kingdom.    Large
which had alone held and maintained the sums were subscribed and collected for
principles of its standards, and followed the erection of plain and humble, but
the example of its founders and its mar- comfortable places of worship, and for
the due maintenance of the faithful an l' A few, and but a few, of those who had generally the due maintenance of the faithful an
acted along with the Evangelical body deserted at the self-denying ministers of the Free Church
hour of extremity. It is mercy to leave their names Within two months after the disruption,
as far as possible in oblivion.




468             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI
upwards of ~240,000 had been subscribed, ing toils.  Even America sent, no'
and  nearly 800 associations formed, merely the voice of encouragement, bu
partly to aid in supporting, and partly also liberal pecuniary assistance across
that they might themselves enjoy the in- the wide Atlantic, requesting that a depuestimable blessing of a pure and free gos- tation might be sent to that vast continent,
pel.  Churches in all directions began to to communicate information, and to rebe erected; every minister and proba- ceive a fuller measure of substantial symtioner was constrained  to  discharge pathy in return.
double or threefold duty; and still the de-  In the midst of these mighty and enmand continued to increase.  Nothing couraging movements an event occurcould be more apparent, than that a larger red, with a short outline of which this
proportion of the people than of the min- narrative must close. This was the Biisters had abandoned the Erastian Es- centenary Commemoration of the first
tablishment; and that ifa sufficient num- meeting of the Westminster Assembly.
ber of ministers could have been obtained, It has already been mentioned that steps
the Free Church might have at once pos- had been taken towards making suitable
sessed the land, as the Church of the arrangements for the commemoration
Scottish people.@  In many localities, in- long before the disruption. The General
deed, there were great difficulties to be Assembly of the Free Church did not
surmounted, arising chiefly out of the neglect this matter in the midst of all its
narrow-minded and persecuting hostility great and urgent exertions.  A commitof the landlords, some denying sites for tee was appointed to make suitable arthe erection  of churches, and others rangements, and to correspond with other
threatening to eject their tenantry and Presbyterian  Churches, who, holding
other dependents if they ventured to ad- the same standards, were equally interhere to the Free Church. This perse- ested in the commemoration. The first
cuting spirit generally overshot its pur- meeting of the Westminster Assembly
pose, rousing instead of subduing the was held on the 1st day of July 1643;
moral courage and determination of the and, allowing for the difference between
high-hearted Scottish peasantry, calling the old and new styles, it was appointed
forth the indignation of the public mind, that the commemoration should be held
and suggesting the perilous questions, on the 12th of July 1843, and in the
how far such conduct was consistent with same great hall which had been occupied
the law of toleration and British freedom  by the General Assembly of the Free
of opinion, and how far the rights of Church.   On the previous evening, an
property might overbear the rights of introductory sermon was preached by the
conscience.                           Rev. Dr. Symington ofthe Reformed PresBefore the disruption took place,. it byterian Church, in which the principles
had been repeatedly suggested that depu- of Christian love were beautifully and
tations should be sent to lay before the impressively  explained and  enforced.
frank and generous people of England The large hall was nearly filled early in
an account of the wrongs inflicted on the the forenoon of the 12th with ministers
Church of Scotland.  With this it had and people from  all the Presbyterian
been found impracticable to comply dur- Churches in the kingdom, without dising the contest. But now several depu- tinction, and without jealousy or envy. It
tations were sent, and were hailed with was soon evident that all had come toready kindness and liberal sympathy-  gether animated by the true spirit of
large sums being promptly contributed to Christian love.  Most cheeringly and
aid in meeting the urgent and increasing affectingly beautiful was the sight of
demands for the immediate erection of ministers of all Presbyterian denominaplaces of worship for the Free Church. tions,*-the Free Church, the United
Warm-hearted Irish Presbyterians lent Secession, the Relief, the Original Secestheir help, both in money and in minis- sion, the Reformed Presbyterian, and
ters, to relieve the ministers of the Free
Church from some of their overwhelm- gv 1' Not one minister of the Erastian Establishment
Church from some of their overwhelm- gave countenance to, or took any part in, the Commemoration; but this was consistent, for how could
It is enough to refer to the too well-known instances they commemorate the Westminster Assembly, which
of Siutherlandshire, Ross-shire, the Isle ofSkye, &c. &c. was so decidedly opposed to Erastianisnm' 




A. D. 1843.]    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  469
the English and Irish Presbyterians, thus with the interests of spiritual truth and
united in one common object, commenc- of eternity; or, so far as they are at all
ing in the unity of the Spirit, proceeding regarded, they are beheld in a very difin the harmony of oneness in heart and ferent point of view from that in which
mind, and concluding by drawing more they appear to the man whose mind and
closely and kindly the bonds of peace. heart are engrossed by the objects of the
Many eloquent and powerful addresses passing hour.  When the events of life
were delivered, explaining and vindicat- and time are contemplated habitually in
ing the great principles of Presbyterian the relation which they bear to the souls
Church government, doctrine, and dis- of men and to eternity, the mind becomes
cipline, as contained in the Standards conscious that it has attained a loftier
framed by the Westminster Divines. It eminence, from which it enjoys a clear
was the remark of all, that during the perception of.what would otherwise have
two days in which the commemoration remained obscure and indistinct. Then,
was held, greater progress had been all events-national, political, and even
made towards realizing the sublime idea personal-are seen as they subserve or
of one grand Evangelical and Presbyte- oppose those great ends for which man
rian Union, than during the two centu- was created and redeemed; and with
ries that had elapsed since it was first en- reference to that, as by a sacred standard,
tertained by the Westminster Assembly. are they tried.
The meeting could not separate, the   Thus viewed and estimated, the Evanhearts of men were too full and grateful, gelical and Presbyterian Church of Scotwithout determining that similar meet- land appears the most perfect and beneings should again be held, and a cordial ficial, yet most persecuted Christian inco-operation in all religious duties be be- stitution that has ever yet been established
gun and carried on, in the hope and with among mankind. In assuming for her
the desire that it might lead to the ulti- first principle that sacred truth, THAT THE
mate incorporation and thorough union LORD JESUS CHRIST is THE ONLY HEAD
of all Evangelical and Presbyterian AND KING OF THE CHURCHi she placed
Churches. Nor was that unity of spirit her foundation, indeed, upon the Rock
and harmony of heart confined to Pres- of Ages; but she placed it where it was
byterians, but a cordial expression of certain to be assailed by all the storms
readiness to co-operate with evangelical and tempests which the enemy of all saEpiscopalians and  Congregationalists cred truth, the god of this world, could
was also made, and sanctioned by the raise. That she should suffer in holding
warm applause of the meeting. The this truth, was inevitable; for it is the
very existence of such.a meeting as this, very truth for holding and asserting
the unanimity of mind and brotherly love which Christ himself was accused before
which prevailed in it, and the expansion Pilate, condemned, and crucified. "If
of aim and effort, and the commencement thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar's
of evangelical intercourse and co-opera- friend," was the argument which wrung
tion which it produced, may all be fairly from the Roman governor the sentence
attributed to the principles maintained of death against Him who is King of
and the position taken  by the Free kings and Lord of Lords. And for faithChurch of Scotland. And with this brief fully maintaining the same great truth
account of the propitious commencement has the Church of Scotland often, almost
of her actions and endeavours as a Free incessantly, suffered persecution, is sufChurch, ends the history of her existence fering still, and must suffer so long as
as an Establishment.                she continues to maintain it, till He come
whose right it is to reign universally.
Many grave and solemn thoughts must This great principle Romanism cannot
necessarily arise in the mind which has hold, because it constitutes the pope its
been long and intensely occupied with head; Prelacy cannot hold, because it
the history of a Christian Church. All yields practically its headship to an
the interests of time, and the feelings and earthly king; Voluntaryism cannot fully
passions that agitate human nature, seem  hold, because by not only totally withto sink into nothingness in comparison drawing from, but absolutely denying




470            HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.              [CHAP. XI
he lawfulness of all connection with the proved in the case of the Church of
State, it virtually denies Christ's right to Scotland; for repeatedly has that great
reign, not only as King of the Church, truth which is her fundamental principle
but also as King of kings.  It is, there- been for a time obscured and overwhelmfore, and has always been, the peculiar ed, but has again shone forth, rising from
glory of the true Church of Scotland to out the ruins of whatsoever had attemptdeclare, maintain, and suffer in defence ed its destruction. And in every succesof the Divine Redeemer's Mediatorial sive instance of its repeated emergence
Crown.                               it has obtained a fuller developement, and
And let it be peculiarly marked, as acquired a mightier power, than it had
every stage of her history testifies, that previously done. Thus, in the Second
exactly in proportion to the faithfulness Reformation, the sole sovereignty of
with which sne maintained that truth, did Christ over His Church was more amher Head and King honour her with ply manifested than before, and the
His presence and His blessing, in her Church was more completely freed from
supreme courts held in His name, in all the clinging fetters of the world than
her inferior judicatories, in her pastors, ever it had previously been.  And
and in her people.  When most faithful though that period of spiritual freedom
in her allegiance to Him, she was was but of short duration, yet it presentalways most prosperous in that which ed a brief realization of what a Christian
constitutes the true prosperity of a Chris- Church ought to be in its relation to
tian Church,-in promoting the progress Christ, to the State, and to the community.
and the power of vital godliness through- The power of the example then displayed
out the nation.  To that is solely owing lives still, and is even now putting forth
the high eminence which the Scottish its vital realizing energy. And when
people so early gained and so long held the Third Reformation,now in progress,
among mankind, notwithstanding the shall have been accomplished, it will then
smallness of the kingdom and the com- be clearly seen, that the successive cycles
parative barrenness of the country and through which the Church of Scotland
severity of the climate. And in like has run, have but been expansions of
manner, in proportion as she violated or each other, the moving principle being
yielded that principle, did she sink into a still the same, and all the elements refatal spiritual lethargy, while the increas- maining unchanged, but becoming more
ing, disregarded, and alienated popula- fully developed.
tion rapidly degenerated into vice, pov- We have termed the recent, or rather
erty, and turbulence. Of this, the pre-the present great movement in the
sent state of Scotland, after the long and Church of Scotland, the Third Refortorpid period of Moderatism, or unspiritu- mation; and under that character some
ality, is a fearful proof. Scotland is not of its most remarkable aspects deserve to
what it was; because for several genera- be seriously contemplated, so far as they
tions the Church of Scotland was under are yet revealed.  The first peculiarity
the domination of a party, the spirit of which demands attention, is that which
whose system was the spirit of the world, arises out of the nature of the contest and
not the spirit of evangelical Christianity. the character of the assailants.  From
Dark must have been the cloud of infatu- the period of the Revolution, and espeation which rested on the minds of the cially from that of the Patronage Act,
Legislatu:e, when, by its countenance the Church has been divided. One
and support, Moderatism was enabled to party, the Evangelical, has striven to act
consummate its guilt by exterminating in conformity to the spirit of her sacred
all that constituted the life and glory of first principle, though that should be ofthe Church,-when its ancient power to fensive to the world; the other, the Modparalyze, which had been shaken off, derate, has attempted to hide that princiwas, by the authority of civil courts and ple, to keep it in abeyance, and to act in
the State, raised into a power to destroy. conformity to the world. From this diYet, truth is eternal; and when a vergency at the centre, has necessarily
great truth has been clearly stated, it followed a still widening divergency in
cannot perish. Repeatedly has this been the growth and progress of these tw




A. D. 1843.]      HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                 471
parties. But the one which held the    Christianity, in its practical embodi
original principles of the Evangelical ment as a system, has always suffered
Presbyterian Church in truth and sin- more or less corruption by the intermincerity, was alone truly the Church of gling of things civil with things spiritual.
Scotland; the other was its worldly In Popery, the distinctions between them
counterfeit, and for that very reason it are lost by the spiritual or ecclesiastical
obtained most of the world's favour. authority engrossing all power, civil and
Fearful have been the consequences to sacred; in an Erastian Church, by the
Scotland of the long domination of the civil power assuming a right to dictate in
worldly system; but a demonstration of spiritual matters; and in churches which
inestimable value has been made, which hold what is termed the voluntary princiwill yet be understood and applied. It pie, an evil at least equal arises by the
has been clearly proved, that a Church civil power being compelled to become
really Erastian, but nominally and in virtually atheistic.  The ruling princiform  Presbyterian, is of all Protestant pie of the Church of Scotland is differChurches the worst, having neither ritupl ent from all these; she has been conto attract, nor faith and warmth to inspire strained to encounter each of them in
and animate the people, whom at the succession; and she has recently been
same time it deprives of every vestige of exposed to the combined hostility of
spiritual liberty.  It seems expressly cal- them  all. She disclaims all power in
culated to produce national infidelity, by matters civil; she will not surrender the
driving vital religion out of its pale, and power which Christ has given her in
deadening all that remain within it. If matters spiritual; and she fearlessly tells
Popery has been termed the religion of both governments and communities, that
fallen man, Moderatism may, with equal it is their duty to be Christians, to act
propriety, be termed the religion of fallen as Christians, and to make it their chief
Presbyterians; or, as the same secular object to promote Christ's kingdom and
spirit may prevail in any church, it may glory. For this has she been, and still
be termed the religion of fallen Protest- is, exposed to threefold peril,-for this
ants. ~ And yet, notwithstanding the pre- has she been compelled to abandon the
sent apparent triumph of that system, it temple where her children worshipped
may be safely predicted that the reign of God, and to erect a tabernacle in the
Moderatisrn has passed away, and can- wilderness; and for this is she still purnot again be permanently re-established, sued by the fierce wrath of her relentIts doom is written in the word of truth, less enemies. But through the triple
which condemns the " earthly" and the darkness of the lowering tempest which
"lukewarm," manifested in the signs of surrounds her, there may be seen the
the times; urged on by the advancing dawning brightness of a thrice glorious
spirit of the age; and will soon be pro- and  peaceful day.  Her conflict has
nounced alike by politicians, who will now been freed from every admixture of
find that it can no longer subserve their a worldly nature on her side; all politipurposes; and by the indignant voice of cal parties have alike deserted her cause,
an outraged and insulted nation.  The or are banded together against her, so
Evangelical and Presbyterian Church that she is not even tempted to put her
of Scotland has been cast out, and may trust in princes or the sons of men;
be for a time trodden under foot; all ec- while the masses of an irreligious and
clesiastical establishments may be over- immoral population, left in that state by
thrown; and they that dwell on the earth Moderatism, seem ready to add the fierce
may rejoice because Christ's witnesses and irresponsible element of physical
have been slain. But that Church which force. But for these very reasons little
is willing to perish rather than surrender of worldly contamination can now cleave
the Crown Rights of the Redeemer, may to her, and intermingle in her procedure;
be persecuted,but shall not be forsaken,-  she is followed by the sympathy and the
may be cast down, but cannot be de- prayers of all truly evangelical Churches;
stroyed; for the Lord Jesus, for whom it she is in the condition to be most thorsuffers will be with it always, even to the oughly purified by the fiery trial through
end of the world.                    which she is passing; and bereft as she




472             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.             [CHAP. XI.
is of all human help, the more manifestly The full realization of this attempt seems
will the final victory be the Lord's.  to be yet premature, as it has proved to be
It has already been shown how re- in bygone times; but something has been
markably the progress of events has gained in each successive conflict; and
been so guided by the hand of Prvidence, more will yet be gained in this, both beas to bring to the light the very central cause to human view the difficulties to
element of the last grand controversy be surmounted are greater than ever, and
between the Church and this world. becuse the object of the contest stands
During the earlier stages of the contro- more clearly defined.
versy, its true nature was apparent to  Even the fact that the antagonist powcomparatively few, and not at all to the er appears in the impassive form of abgreater part of the nation. As it advanced, stract human law, though an element of
one cause of obscurity was removed after peculiar danger, is equally an element of
aiother, and its real character became purity and hope. It'is not now with
riore and more manifest to all who could persons that the Church has to contend
discern spiritual things. And at last the so much as with principles; and who
very essence of the mighty subject ap- may doubt the issue when a human prinpeared distinct and alone, in the form of ciple presumes to encounter one that is
this direct and intelligible question,-  undeniably divine? Men have yet to be
Shall the will of Christ, or the will of taught, that law itself can have no sure
mnan, be the supreme law and rule of the basis but the Word of God; and that
Church in spiritual matters?  To this equally those who make, and those who
question the Church can have but one interpret and administer a nation's laws,
answer, and the world has but one. Of- are bound to regard it as their first duty
ten have these conflicting answers come both to legislate and to administer not
into partial collision; but never, at any otherwise than according to the will of
period in the history of the Christian Christ. And formidable as is the might
Church, has this question been raised of human law, it has already so far been,
with such unavoidable precision, and the and will yet more be compelled to feel,
antagonist deliverances given with such that its utmost energy sinks into absolute
appalling emphasis. The two contend- powerlessness, when directed against
ing principles which these answers em- conscience enlightened and upheld by
body, are now brought front to front, in Him who alone is Lord of the conscience.
the attitude of determined hostility, and Then will men learn the full meaning
till the one or other perish there can be of those simple yet sublime words.
no peace and rest for Christendom.   " Whether it be right in the sight of God
The same idea might be stated and il- to hearken unto you more than unto God,
lustrated in a somewhat different man- judge ye."
ner,-Is it the duty of the State to give en-  Repeatedly has the thought been sugcouragement and support to the Church gested, during the course of this history,
of Christ, without attempting to deprive that civil and religious liberty exist and
it of that spiritual independence which is fall together. Nowhere has this been
necessary for the right discharge of all more signally proved than in' Scotland,
its spiritual duties?  From the very be- and never more manifestly than at preginning of her existence the Church of sent. Before the Church of Scotland
Scotland has maintained the affirmative could be assailed, it was necessary to vioof this great question, and it has been late the British constitution, as in the
her constant endeavour to demonstrate case of the Patronage Act of Queen
to the world, that a Christian Church Anne. Before she could be overthrown,
may be in connection with the State, it was necessary to subvert it, as has been
thus giving to rulers the opportunity too manifestly done by the recent proof obeying the King Eternal, and reali- ceedings of the civil courts and the Lezing the predictions of His Word; and gislature. And in the endeavour to
may, nevertheless, maintain its alle- crush the.Free Church, even the theory
giance inviolate to its own Divine King, of toleration is set aside, and liberty of
and enjoy that spiritual freedom where- conscience is denied. And it were well
with Christ has made his people free. for the nation, if all who value the rights




A. D. 1843.]     HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.                  473
and privileges of freemen were aware, has been engaged in bui sting asundei
that whether such be her desire or not, the fetters, and casting ofA the yoke of
the Free Church of Scotland is at this that cold, worldly, unspiritual, unchrismoment the chief safeguard of all liber- tian system, so well designated Moderaty, civil and religious. She cannot be tism. In each of these Reformations the
overborne without a fatal shock being Church has experienced the most despegiven to the very freedom of the soul, rate opposition, has been for a time overfrom which all other freedom springs, borne, and in the First and Second she
And those who support her antagonists ultimately obtained the victory. By the
may yet mourn to know, that they have Black Acts of 1584, she was overpowerbeen busily engaged in forging fetters ed and enslaved, but regained her liberty
for themselves,                     in 1592. By the Glasgow Act of 1662,
With strangely unobservant eye and she was disestablished, silenced, driven
mind must that reader have perused these to the mountain solitudes, and the best
pages, who has not clearly perceived that blood of her sons and daughters shed
the contest in which the Church of Scot- like water; but the revolution of 1688
land has been engaged, is precisely the terminated for a time her sufferings,
same in which for centuries she has sanctioned her principles, and ratified her
fought, and bled, and conquered. " Take liberties. By the recent decisions of the
from us the liberty of Assemblies, and Civil Courts, the rejection of her Claim
take from us the Gospel," said John of Rights by the Legislature, and the
Knox. "What is Caesar's, or what is Bill of Lord Aberdeen, her constitution
ours, let it be given to Caesar, but that has been again subverted, and those who
may not derogate from Christ's right; let continue to hold and defend it have been
the God by whom kings reign have His once more, like their forefathers, comown place and prerogative," said Alex- pelled to forsake their homes and places
ander Henderson  " We can die, but we of worship, and to bear a full and public
cannot forswear ourselves, and be false testimony against an Erastianized Estraitors to Christ," said the Covenanters. tablishment, and Erastian principles in
"6 Tlhe spiritual independence of the Re- the State..eemer's kingdom, in all matters touch-  But the end is not yet. If her prining the doctrine, government, and disci- ciples be, as we believe, sacred and divine,
pline of the Church, and the sole Head- they must and will finally conquer.
ship of the Lord Jesus Christ, on which And though the warfare of argument is
it depends, as also the rights and privi- ended, the sterner warfare of principle is
leges of the Christian people, we will yet only beginning.  Other Churches
assert, and at all hazards defend, by the are now learning the meaning of her testihelp and with the blessing of Almighty mony, and are employing its high and holy
God," was the solemn declaration of terms. The very sympathy which her
those true-hearted  Presbyterians, and wrongs, her sufferings, and her undauntfaithful servants of the Lord, who have ed bearing have called fo. h, have tended
been, and still are so strenuously endea- unspeakably more to diffuse her prinvouring to effect the Church of Scotland's ciples than could have done her early
Third Great Reformation. The First and complete triumph in their defence,
Reformation, like a whirlwind, dashed Evangelical Christianity can now lift a
to the earth, and swept away the apostate more erect and ennobled head in the
and idolatrous Church of Rome, though world, since God has enabled the Free
deeply rooted in the deceived and blind- Church of Scotland to give an undenied nation. The Second Reformation, af- able proof that religion is something more
ter a long and painful struggle, overthrew  than a system of dead forms and vague
and banished from Scotland that perjured professions,-that there are still Chrisand  blood-thirsty prelatic usurpation, tians on earth, even in this secular and
which the craft of one sovereign, and the selfish age, to whom grace has been given
fierce despotism of his three successors, to suffer the loss of all things in their
had in vain attempted to erect upon the Divine Redeemer's cause. Humbly ant
ruins of the persecuted Presbyterian gratefully let the Free Church adore her
Church. And the Third Reformation sole Head and King, that He has not
60




474             HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.            [CHAP. XI,
with(rawn from her that hidden spiritual Judge of all the earth will do right
life which has enabled her to dare the Earnestly is it to be wished and hoped
furnace, and will bring her unscathed that the warfare may continue to be
through all its purifying fires. And let spiritual, not carnal,-not waged against
other Churches seek to realize a similar kings, and governments, and armed
union with Him, both as the first and troops, as in former days; but not the
most certain step towards union with each less arduous may be the contest, and not
other, and as a preparation for their own the less protracted may be the struggle,
approaching hour of trial.  She has al- against an antagonist power entrenched
ready drunk deeply of the cup out of within legal forms, and aided by the ag
which all other Churches will have ere gressive might of that modern despotism
long, perhaps, to drink; and unspeakably abstract human law,-forgetful, in its
the most fearful will it be for that Church pride, of those high spiritual laws which
which shall have to drain the dregs. mould time, which frame and govern
For it seems evident to almost every re- life, which made and guide the universe,
flecting mind, that the last great conflict which were promulgated from heaven to
between the Church and the world, fore- lead immortal souls to its abodes of evertold in sacred prophecy, has already be- lasting peace, and which have their sum
gun.   The various events which may and centre in Him who is the King Etertake place during its progress cannot be nal. Whether the early triumph of these
fully foreseen; but the issue is certain, high spiritual laws shall glad the hearts
and it is awful,-the destruction of all of those who are now, exposed to every
that take counsel together against Jeho- peril, their dauntless  defenders,-or
vah, and against his Anointed.' Be whether it be reserved for that day, near
wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be in- or remote, when angels shall proclaim,
structed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve " The kingdoms of this earth are become
the Lord with fear, and rejoice with the kingdoms of our Lord and of his
trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be Christ, and He shall reign for ever and
angry, and ye perish from the way, when ever,"-it becomes not short-sighted man
his wrath is kindled but a little."  to conjecture; but the Free Church of
It would be equally presumptuous and Scotland may, and, as we pray and trust,
unwise to hazard any definite opinion re- she will, go forward in her holy course
specting the exact nature and probable of reformation, completing her great tesextent and duration of the fearful conflict timony, bearing the cross and defending
of irreconcilable principles which has the crown of her only and Divine Head
rent asunder the Church of Scotland, ex- and King, strong in the Lord and in the
pelled her genuine children from the power of his might, in the spirit of faith
temples where their fathers worshipped and prayer, and hope,-encouraging her
God, is rapidly spreading into other lands heart with these sacred words, "THE
and rousing other Churches, and may LORD IS OUR JUDGE, THE LORD IS OUR
soon convulse Christendom   and the LAWGIVER, THE LORD IS OUR K:hG;
world. Enough to know that the Lord HE WILL SAVE US."
God Almighty reigneth, and that the




APPENDIX.
No. I.                           Note on the Death of Rizzio, p. 68.
Note on the Deah orf Cardinal Beaton, p. 33.  In the seventh volume of his History of Scotland, Mr. Tytler has directly, and even ostentaTHE attempt which has been made by Patrick  tiously, charged John Knox with being " precogFraser Tytler, Esq., in his History of Scotland, nizant of, and implicated in," the murder, of
to prove that the great and pious Scottish Re- David Rizzio. This charge has been met, and,
formers were implicated in some of the most crim- as most people think, completely refuted, by the
inal transactions of that dark and stormy period Rev. Thomas M'Crie, son of the distinguished
in which they lived, having been briefly alluded  biographer of Knox. It is not my intention, certo in the body of this work, it may seem neces- tainly, to retrace the ground which has been so
sary to take more specific notice of his opinions ably occupied by Mr. M'Crie, thinking it enough
than. could there appropriately be done. With to refer the reader to his answer to Mr. Tytler, as
regard to the charge insinuated against Wishart, it appeared in the appendix to his " Sketches of
however, that he was concerned in a conspiracy  Scottish Church History."  Still, as there may
against the life of Cardinal Beaton, little need be be different methods of demonstrating the same
said, till Mr. Tytler give a satisfactory answer to truth, I think it expedient to offer, very briefly,
the complete "Vindication of George Wishart," my reasons for regarding Mr. Tytler's accusation
which appeared in the Edinburgh Christian Mon- as utterly untenable; and this, I trust, I may do
itor, vol. iii. p. 475, in the year 1823. The without being suspected of intending any disregrounds of this accusation are, the prophetic lan- spect to that gentleman.
guage of Wishart at the stake, which some men   Every historian finds himself often compelled
think more likely to have proceeded from actual to balance conflicting evidence, in order to arrive
knowledge of an intended assassination, than  at the truth of any subject respecting which confrom any preternatural enlightenment granted to tradictory statements have been made. The evithe dying martyr; and the casual mention in  dence thus to be estimated is to be of two kinds,
some manuscript correspondence of the period, -the evidence of facts, and the evidence of moral
that "a Scottishman called Wysshert," was said probability. These kinds of evidence sometimes
to have been employed by Henry VIII. in some seem opposed to each other, and sometimes they
alleged conspiracy against the life of the cardinal. coincide.  When they coincide, a conclusion
The first of these conjectural suppositions we amounting to absolute certainty is obtained; but
leave to those who can entertain it; because when they are opposed to each other, the task
neither reasoning, nor reference to many similar becomes considerably difficult to determine to
well-authenticated cases, would be likely to pro- which of them the greatest credit is due, and very
duce conviction in their minds. Another answer opposite conclusions will be drawn from the same
might be given, which would be more satisfactory  data by minds differently constituted. It requires
to some; neither Fox, in his account of Wishart's a higher cast of mind to appreciate duly the evi-.artyrdom, nor Knox, make any mention of his dence of moral probability, than it does that of
prophetic language; those, therefore, who wish  facts; although, no doubt, when the facts can be,
to fasten this charge upon him must first prove or have been, fully ascertained and substantiated,
that he spoke such words. With regard to the nothing more is required, and the controversy is
other, it is enough to state, that in the " Vindica- at an end. Yet such is the power of moral protion" referred to above, it is proved, by direct his- bability, that every man must have felt himself
torical testimony, that if any such person existed constrained in peculiar instances to reject inas is mentioned in the manuscript, he could nei- stinctively the argument of facts, and to say, "I
ther have been the martyr, nor his brother the cannot believe that a man of a character so high
laird of Pittarow. This of itself is enough to vin- and noble could have done a deed so base."  It
dicate the memory of Wishart from any such mere will not be a small amount of the evidence of facts
conjectural aspersion; for no conjecture, founded that will suffice to set aside such an instinctive
on the mere similarity of a name, loosely men- moral conviction; and when facts are brought
tioned in the gossiping language of epistolary cor- I forward with that view, they will be met by a siftrespondence, may ever be allowed to set aside ing investigation whether they really occurred,
direct historical testimony. It would, besides, re- and on what authority we are asked to believe
quire the most incontrovertible evidence to sub- that they actually took place as they are said to
stantiate such a charge against all the moral im- have done. Nothing short of the direct testiprobabilities, or rather impossibilities, which it has mony of a sufficient number of witnesses of unto encounter, when brought against the mild, pa- doubted veracity, and adequately acquainted with
tient, gracious, and heavenly-minded martyr, the facts which they relate, will ever substantiate
George Wishart.                              a charge which is instinctively felt to be morally




476                                  APPENDIX.
improbable, If, for example, any person were to I another of the conspirators, disclaims the inten.
attempt to propagate a report that the Duke of tion of murdering Rizzio, and declares that it was
Wellington had been detected in an act of petty their purpose to punish him by order of justice
theft, every man would at once indignantly feel Hume of Godscroft, in his History of the House
and declare, that it was impossible; and it would of Douglas, says the same. Every author, in
require -an extraordinary amount of direct evi- short, of any credibility, gives the same general
dence to induce and constrain any man to believe statement,-that the lords intended to bring Riza report so abhorrently incredible. Not less clear zio to a public trial, and to condemn him to death
and incontrovertible ought to be the evidence and execute him as a plotter against the religion
brought forward by him who accuses John Knox and the liberties of the kingdom, and that the
of being implicated in an act of private murder. ministers were in no respect implicated in the
What, then, is the amount of evidence adduced  matter.
by Mr. Tytler?                               To overwhelm the whole of the evidence thus
The following is a brief outline of the main  briefly stated, Mr. Tytler brings forward the one
facts of the event. Queen Mary had joined the small fact, that he found a slip of paper pinned
)League of Bayonne, which was framed for the to Randolph's first letter, which slip contained a
purpose of utterly exterminating Protestantism  list of those "who were at the death of Davy,
by violence. This was well known to the Scot- and privy thereunto, and are now in displeasure
tish Protestant nobles; and her Italian secretary, with the queen, and their houses taken and
David Rizzio, was believed to be the agent spoiled."  This pinned list contains the names
through whom she held intercourse with the of John Knox and John Craig.   It has no sigRomishl powers. The Protestant nobles resolved  nature, but is thought to be in the handwriting
to seize Rizzio, bring him to trial, and condemn  of a clerk employed by the Earl of Bedford,-a
him to death, as a person engaged in treasonable likely enough person to pick up the floating rutransactions. At the same time the weak, vain, mours of the day. This pinned list contains
and violent Darnley conceived a strong hatred enough to prove it unworthy of credit. It states
against this Italian, on the ground of an imagined that "all these were at the death of Davy,"
guilty intercourse between him and the queen. whereas it is certain that neither Knox nor Craig
The nobles were not reluctant to obtain Darnley's were present. It further adds, that they "are
countenance to promote their own design against now in displeasure with the queen, and their
Rizzio's life. There was thus a double plot; and houses taken and spoiled;" yet it is known that
Mr. Tytler, without the shadow of evidence to Craig was not in displeasure with the queen, and
support it, nay, against direct evidence to the there is no evidence that the house of Knox
contrary, conjectures that the nobles must have was "taken and spoiled." Such glaring misabandoned their own intention of a public trial statements prove this pinned slip to be a mere
and execution, and adopted Darnley's scheme of transcript of some popular report, such as are
a private murder. Rizzio was actually seized busily circulated without examination when any
and murdered. Soon afterwards, the blandish- remarkable event excites the public mind, but
ments of the queen prevailed over her fickle hus- which no man of candour or of judgment regards.
band, and induced him to violate his engagement It is strange reasoning, surely, to say, that be.
to the lords; and thus the conspiracy was broken  cause an unauthenticated rumour is false in two
up, and the betrayed noblemen fled to various points, it must be true in the third. Mr. Tytler
quarters, to escape from the vengeance of the is not at liberty to change the express words of
queen. John Knox retired to Kyle for a season, this precious document, converting anld into or,
well knowing that Mary bore to him no favour, that it may the better serve his purpose. He
and that if she had it in her power to bring  does so at the hazard of endangering his own
him within the sweep of her meditated vengeance, character for candour and integrity. It must be
she was not likely to let slip the opportunity.  taken as it is, without any such constructions,
Accounts of these transactions were sent to and then it manifests its own falsehood.
Cecil by the Earl of Bedford, and by Sir Thomas  Feeling, apparently, that this small fact of the
Randolph, from Berwick, to which town several pinned list furnished but slender evidence on the
of the Scottish nobles had fled for safety. In  strength of which to implicate John Knox in a
Randolph's letter, dated the 21st of March, the charge of murder, Mr. Tytler attempts to corrobnames of those who were concerned in the death orate it by reasoning from the known sentiments
of Rizzio are mentioned;and in the same letter of the Reformer; that is, he leaves the evidence
it is stated, that the intention of the lords was to of facts, and enters upon the evidence of moral
have hanged him, but that a tumult arising in the probability. His first and chief argument is, that
court below, and fearing a rescue, they went the Knox held it lawful for private persons to put to
next way to work with him.    On the 27th   death notorious murderers and tyrants, provided
another letter was sent by Randolph, giving a that all redress by the ordinary courts ofjusticewas
formal and authentic list of those who were con- impossible. This will not prove that Knox would
cerned in.the death of Rizzio. In neither of these either have engaged in such a deed himself, or
does the name of Knox occur. An account of would have approved of its being done privately;
the whole matter was sent to Cecil by Morton  and, besides, in the case of Rizzio, the supposed
and Ruthven; and as rumour had then begun to emergency did not exist, the banded lords being
implicate Knox and Craig, these noblemen ex- sufficiently powerful to bring him to a public
pressly declare, that the ministers were "neither trial, as it is proved that they intended to do, his
art nor part of that deed, nor participate thereof." private seizure being merely to prevent the possiA similar declaration is contained in Ruthven's ble occurrence of a public tumult. The attempt
own narrative of the event, in which he strongly to fasten such a charge upon the Reformer, on
exonerates the ministers. Douglas of Lochleven, the ground of his holding such an abstract theory,




APPENDIX.                                    477
is manifestly absurd, unless it be first proved that " To whom should I have revealed it 2 To the
the case was precisely such as his theory sup- queen? She was the doer thereof. The kin
posed.  And even then it would be necessary to was such a child, that there was nothing told
show that he could, consistently with his own him but he would reveal it to her again. And
character, have put his theory into execution in therefore I durst in no ways reveal it. I forethe same manner as that in which Rizzio was knew, indeed, and concealed it, because I durst
killed. Now, from the whole tenor of Knox's not reveal it to any creature for my life." Morton
life it is evident that he could not have committed reasons, that the primary law of self-preservation
a deliberate, contrived, private murder.  Such a exonerated him from the accusation of being acman, had he not been a Christian, might have cessary to the commission of a crime of which he
killed a tyrant in his open court and surrounded was precognizant, and disapproved yet concealed,
by his guards, but could not have crept into his because he believed that to reveal it would cause his
bedchamber to murder him in secret. Mr. Tyt- own death, and would not prevent its being comler attempts further to prove, that the murder of mitted. But he could not have given to John
Rizzio was not accidental, arising out of a sudden Knox the same excuse which he took to himself,
tumultuous frenzy enhanced by the apprehension when he denied that "precognizance" was in
of being frustrated in the completion of their de- such a case equivalent to "art and part," unless
sign. Strange that he does not perceive how  he had been prepared to prove that for Knox to
much more improbable this renders it that Knox have revealed it would have caused his own death
could have been implicated in the crime. Indeed, without preventing the crime, so that to be silent
reasoning from Mr. Tytler's premises, and taking was merely an act.of self-preservation, and iminto consideration the high, bold, and pious char- plied no approbation of the deed. In this instance
acter of John Knox, I do not hesitate to say, that also Mr. Tytler shows himself to be singularly
no man who can comprehend moral evidence unable to understand and apply moral evidence
will ever regard the charge against him as any and reasoning.
thing else than a charge involving a moral im-  But it is needless to traverse the whole ground of
possibility. And this I regard as a proof how  Mr. Tytler's small facts and smaller arguments.
unfit Mr. Tytler is to deal with moral evidence.  Enough has been said, I trust, to substantiate the
Another argument on which he builds is this: opinion given in the body of this work, that
that at a subsequent period one of the ministers, " certainly so grave a charge, and so improbable,
defending Knox from the aspersions of King was never brought forward and maintained on
James, said, "that the slaughter of David was evidence so slender, nay, so absolutely incrediallowed by Knox, as far as it was the work of ble."  Mr. Tytler would need to beware, otherGod, and not otherwise."  Mr. Tytler here evi- wise his character as a historian will not long
dently misunderstands both the sentiment and stand high, either for candour and impartiality,
the word used to express it. The sentiment is a or for soundness of judgment. There is a law of
sufficiently common one, nothing being more retribution which never fails in its operation.
usual than for men to say, when any great crim- When a man assails the character of another, and
inal perishes miserably, that it is a remarkable fails to prove his charge, the accusation recoils,
instance of the righteous retribution of Provi- crushing him who put it in motion. And even
dence, while they do not intend to express ap- though no consequence so serious should take
probation of the human instrumentality by which place, the public may begin to draw this conclusuch retribution was effected. The word allowed sion, that the mind which is continually prying
was in former times used, not to mean permitted into minute details, is liable to lose the higher
an event to take place, but generally in the loose faculties of comprehensiveness and discriminasense of approbation of the object intended, and tion, to form an undue estimate of the value of
often little more than abstaininig from censure. small facts, and to regard as discoveries what a
The meaning of the sentence is plainly this: So mind of higher order would at once have perfar as the death of Rizzio may be regarded as the ceived to be merely the idle rumours or the partirighteous retribution of Providence, John Knox zan insinuations of the day, and would have
approved, or did not condemn it; but he ex- deemed unworthy of any notice.
pressed no approbation of it, so far as it was the
deed of guilty men. Rightly understood, this
goes to prove that Knox was not implicated in a
deed which, so far as it was man's, he disallows.
Mr. Tytler attempts to remove another objection to which his accusation is exposed, from the            No. II.
declaration of Morton and Ruthven, that none of
the ministers were " art and part, or participate,"  ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.
in the deed. This he does by labouring to show,
that in Morton's estimation, to be precognizant  In the year 1560, on the 17th of August, the
of an intended crime without revealing it, and to First Confession of Faith of the Reformed Church
be "art and part" in it, were not equivalent ex- of Scotland was "professed, ratifiet, and appressions.  He might have understood Morton's proveit in Parliament;" the jurisdiction of the
meaning better had he attended a little more ac- Pope was abolished; and an act was passed
curately to his reasoning. Morton was accused against idolatry, and another abolishing the mass.
of being "art and part" in Darnley's murder.  In the year 1567, on the 19th of April, Queen
This he strenuously denied; yet he owed that Mary, before the last series of criminal actions
he knew it was intended, and did not reveal it. which led to her imprisonment and exile, passed an
When asked how he could reconcile this with his act securing to all her subjects freedom from civil
denial of being art and part in it, he answered, injury in their adherence to the Reformed faith.




478                                   APPENDIX.
But it was not till the meeting of the first par- Act 1567, ch. 12. Anent the iurzsdctioun of the
liament, held by the Regent Murray, that a full  Kirk.
recognition was made of the Reformed Church,    Item, Anent the Artickle proponit and geuin in
amounting to its establishment as the Nationalby the Kirk to my Lord Regent and the thre EsChurch of Scotland. The most important pointstatis of this present Parliament, anent the iurisof these acts of parliament are here given.   dictioun iustlie apperteining to the trew  Kirk
and immaculat spous of Jesus Christ, to be deAct 1567, ch. 6. Anent the tresw and hayly Kark,  clarit and expressit as the artickle at mair lenth
and of thae that are declarit not to be of theis consuit: The Kingis Grace, with auise of my
samMien.                                    Lord Regent and thre Estatis of this present ParItem1, Forsamekle as the Ministeris of the blissit liament, hes declarit and grantit iurisdictioun to
Euangell of Jesus Christ, quhome God of his the said Kirk; quhilk consistis and standis, in
mercy hes now rasit vp amangis vs, or heirefter preiching of the trew word of Jesus Christ, corsall rais, aggreing with thame that now liues, in rection of the maneris, and administration of haly
doctrine and administratioun of the Sacramentis, sacramentis. And declaris, that thair is na vther
and the pepill of this realme, that professis Christ face of Kirk nor vther face of Religioun, than is
as he now is offerit in his Euangell, and do corn- presentlie be the faour of God establischeit within
municat with the holy sacramentis (as in the re- this realme. And that thair be na vther iurisdicformit Kirkis of this Realme ar publicklie admin- tioun ecclesiasticall acknawledgit within this
istrat), according to the Confession of the Faith, realme, vther than that quhilk is and sail be
Our Souerane Lord, with auise of my Lord Re- within the same Kirk, or that quhilk flowis thairgent and three Estatis of this present Parliament, fra concerning the premisses; and forther, our
hes declarit and declaris the foirsaid kirk to be the  Souerane Lord, with auis, of my Lord Regent
onlie trew and holy Kirk of Jesus Christ within  and thre Estatis foirsadis, hes geuein and geuis
this realme, and decernis and declareis that all power and commission to Schir James Balfour
and sundrie quha outher gainsayis the Word of of Pittindreich, Kyncht, Priour of Pittinweem;
the Euangell ressauit and appreuit as the heides Mark, Commendatour of Newbottill; Johne
of the Confessioun professit in Parliament of be- Priour of Coldinghame, Lord Preuie Seal; Maisfoir, in the yeir of God 1560 yeirs, as alswa spe- ter James Makgill of Rankillour Nether, Clerk
cifiet in the Actis of this Parliament mair partic- of Register; William Maitland, younger of Leularlie dois expres, and now ratifyit and appreuit thington, Secretar to our Souerane Lord; Schir
in this present Parliament, or that refusis the Johne Bellenden of Auchinoull, Knycht, Justice
participation of the holy sacraments as thay ar Clerk; John Erskine of Dune; Maister Johne
now ministrat, to be na membris of the said Kirk  Spottiswod, Superintendent of  Lowthaine;
within this realme now presently professit swa Johne Knox; Maister Johne Craig; and Maislang as they keipe thame selfis sa deuydit fra the  ter Dauid Lindesay, Ministeris of the worde of
societie of Christis body.                    God, To seirche furth mair speciallie, and to considder, quhat vther speciall pointis or clausis
Act 1567, ch. 7. Anent the Admissioun of thame sould appertene to the iurisdictioun, priuilege,
that sal be presentit to Benefices hauand cure of  and authoritie of the said Kirk, and to declair
Mninistrie.                                thair miadis thairanentis to my Lord Regent and
thre Estatis of this Realme at the nixt ParliaItem, It is statute and ordained by our Sove- ment, Swa that they may tak ordour thairintill,
raine Lord, with advice of his dearest Regent,  n autories the smin be act of Parliament as
) and authories the samin be act of Parliament, as
and three Estatis of this present Parliament, that sa b fund agreable to the worde of God.
the examination and admission of ministers,
within this Realme, be only in the power of the  [These acts were aain ratified in the years
Kirk, now openlie and publicly professed within  1578, 1579 and 1581.
the samin. The presentation of laic Patronages  In 1581,a short act was passed respecting the
alwais reserved to the Just and auncient Patrones. fw  patronages at that time existing, but
And that the Patron present ane qualified per-which the king was strenuously endavouring. within se(atrit yc which the king was strenuously endeavouring to
soun, within sex Moneths (after it may cum toincrease.]
his knawledge, of the decease of him quha bruiked
the Benefice of before) to the Superintendent of A  1581, c. 10.  Tat miisteris sil be prethay partis, quhar the Benefice lyis, or uthers  sntit be the Kingis Majestie and the lawit
havand commission of the Kirk to that effect;    atronis to all benefices of cuir under Pr
Patl'onis,  to all beneices  of cuir ~;nder Preutherwaies the Kirk to have power, to dispone   lacyis
the samin to ane qualifyed person for that time.
Providing that in caice the Patron present ane Item, It is statute and ordanit be our Souerane
person qualified to his understanding and failze- Lord, with aduise of his thre Estatis of this presing of ane, ane uther within the said six Moneths, ent Parliament, That all benefices of cuir under
and the said Superintendent or Commissioner of prelacyis, salI be presentit be our Souerane Lord,
of the Kirk refusis to receive and admit the per- and the lawit personis, in the fauoure of abill
son presented be the Patron, as said is: It sall be and qualifeit ministers, apt and willing to enter
lessum ilawful] to the Patron to appeale to the in that functioun-and to discharge the dewtie
Superintendent and Ministers of that province thairof. And in cace any sall happin to be
quhar the Benefice lyis, and desire the person  gevin and disponit wtherwise hereafter, decernis
presented to be admitted, quhilk gif they refuse, and declaris the giftis and dispositiounis to be
to appeal to the General Assemblie of the haill null and of none availl, force, nor effect.
realme, be quhom the cause be and decyded, sail
take end, as they decerne and declair.          [Next appear the " Black Acts" of 1584




APPENDIX.                                      479
Act 1584, h. 129. An Act confirming the Kingis that effect, under the panis ordinit in the lawis
Majestie's Royall Power over all Statis and  and actis of Parliament, agains sic as unlawfullie
Subjectis within this Realme.              convocat the Kingis lieges.
Forsamekle as syndrie personis, being laitlie 
callit befoir the Kingis Majestie and his secreit  Deprivation of2  iisters
Counsell, to answer upon certaine pointis to have 
bene inquirit of thame, concerning sum treasounable, seditious, and contumelious speches, utterit  Olit in this present Parliament, willing that
semblit in this present Parliament, willing that
by thame in Pulpit, Scholis, and vtherways, to the word of God sail be preachit, and Sacramentis
the disdane and reprooche of his Hienes, his Pro-administrat n puritie a   s rit and   that the
genitouris, and present Counsell, contemtuouslie  dministrat iron putie and syneris  aucht to be susdeclinit the judgment of his Hienes and his said renti, quaion t h e pssesto b e  personis
Counsell in that behalf, to the evill exemple of neglecting to do thair dewties, for whilkis they
uthers to do the like, gif tymous remeid be not     thair eefies, eis                  t
providit: lairfoir our Souerane Lord, and his  ccept thair benefices, being utherwayis polluted
providit: Walairfoir our Souerane Lord, and his with the fraill and enorme crymis and vices after
thrie Estatis, assembled in this present Parliathrie Estatis, assembled. in this present Parlia- specefeit. It is, thairfoir, statute and ordainit be
ment, ratifeis and apprevis, and perpetuallie con- s  e, t     s       n  o      b
ment, ratifeis and apprevis, and perpetuallie con- his Hienes, with auice of the saides thrie Estatis,
firmis the royall power and authoritie over all that all Personis, Ministeris, or Reiddaris, or uth
statis, alsweil Spirituall as Temporall, within this ers providit to benefices, sen his Hienes CoronaRealme, in the persoun of the Kingis Majestie, tioun (novt havin vote in his Hienes Parliament),
our Souerane Lord, his airis and successouris:             ble of heresie, papiste, fls and
And als statutis and ordanis, that his Hienes, his erroneous doctrine, common blasphemie, fornicasaid airis and successouris, be thameselffis and eroneo   doctrine, s, non-residence, pluralthair counsellis, ar, and in tyme to cum sall be, tion, common drunkennes, non-residence, pluralthair counsettis  al, nd in tyme to cum sail be, itie of benefices having cure, quhairunto they are
jugos competent to all personis his Hienes subjectis, of quhatsumever estate, degrie, functioun, providit sen the said Coronatioun, Symonie, and
dilapidatioun of the rentis of benefices, contrare
or conditioun that ever they be of Spirituall or the lait Act of Parliamnt, being lawfullie and orTemporall, in all matteris quhairin they, or ony dourlie callit, tryit, and adjudgit culpable, in the
of thame, sail be apprehendit, summound, or vices and causes abouewritten, or onie of thame,
chargeit to answer to sik thingis as sail be i  be the ordinare Bishop of the diocie, or utheris
quint of thame, be our Soverane Lord and his the Kingis Majesties Commissionaris to be constiCounsell. And that nane of thame, quhilkis sail tute inEcclesiasticall causes, sl be dprivit
happin to be apprehendit, callit, or summound to tte i   lesiasti     uses s     eeri
alsweil fra thair functioun in the Ministerie, as
the effect foirsaid, presume or tak upoun hand to fra thair benefices, quhilkis saIl be thairby dedecline the jugement of his Hienes, his airis orfa  i h      fisq   lssl       ti     d
decline the jugement of his Hienes, his airis or clarit to be vacand; to be presentit and conferrit
successouris, or thair Counsell, in the premisses, of new, as gif the persons possessouris thairof,
under the pane of treasoun.                   were naturallie dead: And that it sail be esteemit
Act 1584, ch. 131. Act dischargaig all jurisdic- and jugeit not-residence, quhair the persoun betionis  nd  dmentis not apprvit be Pia- ing in the function of the ministerie, providit to
ioents and atgmentmbisno apnd Convi Ptionis- ane benefice, sen the Kingis Majesties CoronaWthont, and all Assea  Losdis spConventia on  tioun, makis not residence at his mans, gif he ony
zindout our Souerane Lordis specall lcence hes; and failzeing thereof, at sum uther dwellingplace within the parochin; but remains absent
Our Souerane Lord and his thrie Estates, as- thairfra, and from his Kirk, and using of his
semblit in this present Parliament, dischargeis all office, be the space of four Sondayis in the haill
jugementis and jurisdictionis, Spirituall or Tem- zeir, without lawfull caus and impediment, allowit
porall, accustomat to be usit and execute, upoun be his ordinare. And quhair ony persoun is adony of his Hienes subjectis, quhilkis are not ap- mittit to ma benefices, havand cure, sen our
provit be his Hienes and his saids thrie Estatis, Soverane Lordis Coronatioun, the acceptioun of
convenit in Parliament; and decernis the same the last sail be sufficient cause of deprevatioun
to ceis in tyme cumming, quhil the ordour thereof from the remnant, swa that he be providit to twa
be first sene and considerit in Parliament, and be or ma benefices havand cure, sen the tyme of the
allowit and ratifeit be thame. Certifeing thame said Coronation. And nevertheles, this present
that sall proceid in using and exerceing of the Act sail not extend to ony persoun providit to his
saids jugementis and jurisdictionis, or in obeying benefice befoir the said Coronatioun, nather sail
of the same, not being allowit and ratifeit, as said the bruking of the said office, quhairunto he was
is, They sail be repute, halden, callit, presewit, providit of befoir, induce pluralitie of benefices in
and punissit as usurparis, and contemnaris of his this cace; bot he sail allanerlie tyne his richt
Hienes auctoritie, in example of utheris. And of the benefice quhairunto he was providit sen
als it is statute and ordainit, be our Souerane the said Coronatioun allanerlie: And unioun of
Lord, and his thrie Estatis, that none of his Hie- kirkis to ane benefice not to be jugeit pluralitie,
nes subjectis, of quhatsumever qualitie, estate, or quhill farder ordour be establissit and providit in
functioun they be of, Spirituall or Temporall, pre- that behalf: Likeas alswa, the personis being in
sume to tak upoun hand, to convocat, convene, the functioun of the ministerie, that sail happin
or assemble thamselffis togidder, for holding of to be lawfullie and ordourlie convict befoir our
councellis, conventionis, or assembleis, to treat, Soverane Lordis Justice-Generall, or utheris
consult and determinat in ony matter of Estate, thair Jugeis competent of criminal causis, sick as
Civill or Ecclesiasticall (except in the ordinare treasoun, slachter, mutilatioun, adulterie, incest,
jugementis), without his Majesties speciall con- thift, [commoun oppressioun, usurie aganes the
mandement, expres licence had and obtenit to lawis of this Realme,] perjurie, or falset: They




480                                     APPENDIX.
being lykewayis lawfullie and ordourlie deprivit said Kirk, with the haill jurisdictioun and discie
fra their function in the ministerie, be thair ordi- pline of the same Kirk, aggreit upon be his Manair, or the Kingie Commissionaris in Ecclesias- jestie, in conference had be his Hienes with certicall causes. The benefices possest be the saidis tane of the Ministrie convenit to that effect: of the
personis to vaik, be reasoun of the said convic- quhilkis Articles the tenour followis. MATI':R ls
tioun and deprivatioun.  And this to have effect to be entreated in Provincial Assemblies: Thir
and execution onlie for crimis, vicis, faultis, and Assemblies ar constitute for wechtie materis
offenceis, that sail happin to be committit efter necessar to be entreatit be mutuall consent, and
the dait hierof.                               assistance of brethrene, within the Province as
neid reqvyris. This Assemblie hes power to
[That important Act commonly designated      handle, ordour, and redresse all things omittit or
"The Great Charter of the Church," which       done amisse in the particulare Assemblies. It
was passed in the year 1592, demands special at- hes power to depose the office-beareris of that
tention.]                                      Province, for gude and just causes, deserving deprivatioun: And generallie, thir Assemblies hes
Act 1592, ch. 116. Act for abolishing of the Actis the haill power of the particulare Elderschippis,
contrair the trew Religion.  [Ratification of  quhairof they are collectit. MATERIS to be enthe libertie of the trew Kirk: Of General and treated in the Presbyteries.  The power of the
Synodall Assemblies: Of Presbyleries of Disci- Presbyteries is to give diligent labouris in the
Pline. All laws for Idolatrie ar abrogate: Of  boundis committed to their chairge: That the
Presentation to Benfices.]                   Kirkis be kepit in gude ordour: To inquire diligentlie of the naughtie and ungodlie personis:
Our Soverane Lord and Estaittis of this present And to travell to bring them in the way aane
Parliament, following the loveable and gude ex- be admonitioun, or threatening of Goddis jugeample of their predecessours, Hes ratifiet and ap- rmentis, or be correctioun.  It appertenis to the
previt, and be the tenour of this present Act Elderschip, to tak held that the Word of God be
ratifies and apprevis, all liberties, privileges, im- puirlie preachit within thair boundis, the Sacramunities, and freedomes, quatsumever, gevin and mentis richtlie ministrat, the Discipline entergrantit be his Hienes, his Regentis in his name, teynit, And Ecclesiaslicall guidis uncorruptlie
or ony of his predecessouris, to the trew and haly  distributit. It belangis to this kynd of AssemKirk, presentlie establishit within this realne; bleis, to caus the ordinances maid be the Assemand declarit in the first Act of his Hienes Parlia- bleis, Provinciallis, Nationallis, and Generallis,
ment, the twentie day of October, the zier of God to be kepit and put in executioun, to mak constiane thousand, five hundreth, three-scoir ninetene tutionis, quhilkis concernis To 7r6cro, in the Kirk,
zieres; and all and whatsumevir Actis of Parlia- for decent ordour, in the particulare kirk quhair
ment, and statutes maid of befoir, be his Hienes they governe; provyding that they alter na rewlis
and his Regentis, anent the libertie and freedome maid be the Provinciall or Generall Assemblies:
of the said Kirk: and specialie the first Act of And that they make the Provinciall Assemblies foirthe Parliament, halden at Edinburgh, the twen- saidis, privie of the rewlis that they sail mak, and
tie-foure day of October, the zier of God ane to abolishe constitutionis tending to the hurte of
thousand, five hundreth, and foir-scoir ane zieres, the same. It has power to excommunicat the
with the haill particulare Actis thairin mentionat, obstinat, formale proces being led, and dew interquhilk sail be als suflicient as gif the samyn wer vail of tymes observit. AN ENT particulare kirkis,
herin exprest.   And all uther Actis of Parlia- Gifthey be lauchfully rewlit be sufficient minisment maid sensyne, in favouris of the trew Kirk; teris and sessioun, Thay haif power and jurisdicand siklyke, ratifies and apprevis the Generall tioun in their awin congregation, in materis EcAssemblies appointed be the said Kirk: And de- clesiasticall, And decernes and declaris the said
claris, that it sail be lauchfull to the Kirk and  Assembleis, Presbyteries, and Sessiounes, JurisMinistrie everilk zier at the leist, and ofter pro re  dictioun, and Discipline thairof foirsaid, to be in
na/a, as occasion and necessitie sail require, to  all tymes cuming maist just, gude, and godlie in
hald and keip Generall Assemblies: Providing   theseiff, Notwithstanding of quhatsumevir Statthat the Kingis Majestie or his Commissioner utis, Actis, Cannon, Civile, or municipall Lawes,
with thame, to be appoyntit be his Hienes, be maid in the contrair: To the quhilkis and every
present at ilk Generall Assemblie, befoir the dis- ane of thame, thir presentis sail mak expres derosolving thairof nominat and appoint tyme and gatioun. And becaus thair ar divers Actis of
place quhen and quhair the nixt Generall Assem- Parliament, maid in favour of the Papistical Kirk,
blie sail be haldin: and in caise nather his Ma- tending to the prejudice of the libertie of the trew
jestie nor his said Commissioner beis present for Kirk of God, presentlie professit within this
the tyme in that toun, quhair the General Assemn- realme, jurisdictioun, and  discipline  thairof,
blie beis halden, Then, and in that caise, it sall Quhilk stands zit in the buikis of the Actis of
be lessum  to the said Generall Assemblie, be Parliament, not abrogat nor annullit: Thairfoiz
themselffis, to nominat and appoynt tyme and   his Hienes and Estaittis f;irsaidis hes abrogat,
place quhair the nixt Generall Assemblie of the cassit, and annullit, and be the tenor hierof,
Kirk sall be keipit and haldin, as they haif bene abrogatis, cassis, and annullis, all Actis of Parliain use to do thir tymes bypast. And als ratifies ment maid be ony of his Hienes predecessoris, foi
and apprevis the Sinodall and Provinciall Assem- mantenance of superstitioun and idolatrie, with
blies, to be halden be the said Kirk and Ministrie, all and quhatsumevir Acts, Laws, and Statutes,
twyis ilk zier, as they haif bene, and are present- maid at ony tyme, befair the day and dait hierof,
lie in use to do, within every Province of this aganis the libertie of the the trew Kirk, jurisdicrealme; And ratifeis and apprevis the Presbyte- tioun, and discipline thairof, as the samyn is usil
ries, and particulare Sessionis appoyntit be the and exerceisit within this realme. And in speciall,




APPENDIX.                                       481
that pairt of the sevint Act of Parliament halden  gardit be thame, Because, albeit they be deprivit
at [Streviling, the fourt day of November, ane of their functioun and cure within the Kirk: zit
thousand four hundreth, fourty-three] zeiris, com- they thinke they may bruike lawfully the profites
manding obedience to be gevin to Eugin, the    and rentes of their saidis benefices, enduring their
Pape for the tyme: the 109 Act made be King    lyfetymes, Notwithstanding the said sentence of
James the third, in his Parliament halden at Ed- deprivatioun: Thairfore, our Soverane Lord, with
inburgh, the twenty-fourth day of Februar, [the avice of the Estaitis of this present Parliament,
zeir of God] ane thousand, four hundreth, four- declaris, that all and quhatsomevir sentence of
scor thrie zeirs. And all utheris actis quhairby  deprivatioun, ather pronouncit already, or that
the Papis authoritie is establishit. The fourty- happenis to be pronouncit hereafter, be ony Presseven Act of King James the third, in his Parlia- byterie, Synodall or General Assemblie, agains
ment halden at Edinburgh, the [twenty day of ony persone or vicare within their jurisdictioun,
November, ane thousand, four hundreth, three- provydit sen his Hienes coronation: (All personis
score nine] ziers, anent the Satterday and uther provydit to personages and vicarages, quha hes
vigilis to be hally dayes from Evin sang to Evin  voit in Parliament, Secreit Council, and Sessang.   ITEM, that pairt of the thirty-one Act sioun, orprovidit thairto ofauld, befoirthe Kingis
maid be the Queeene Regent, in the Parliament coronatioun, And Maister George Young, Archihalden at Edinburgh, the first day of Februar, dene of Sanct Androis, being specially exceptit,)
ane thousand, five hundreth, fifty-ane zeirs, is and sal be repute in all jugementis, ane just
Geving speciall licence for haldin of Pashe and  cause to seclude the persone befoir, providit, and
Zule.   ITEM, the Kingis Majesty and Estatis than deprivit from all profites, commodities, rentes,
foresaidis declaris, that the secund Act of the  and deweties of the said personage and vicarage,
Parliament haldin at Edinbu3rg/h, the xxij day of or benefice of cure: And that ather be way of
Maij, the zier of God ane thousand, five hun- actioun, exception, or reply. And that the said
dreth, four scoir, four zeires, sail naways be pre- sentence of deprivatioun sal be ane sufficient
judiciall, nor derogat any thing to the privilege  cause to mak the said benefice to vaike thereby.
that God hes givin to the spirituall office-beareris And the said sentence being extractit and prein the Kirk, concerning heads of religioun, ma- sentit to the Patroun, the said Patroun sal be
teris of heresie, excommunicatioun, collation or bund to present ane qualifiit persone of new to
deprivation of ministeris, or ony sik essential cen- the Kirk, within the space of sex monethis thairsours, speciall groundit, and havand warrand of  efter. And gif he failzie to do the same, the said
the word of God. ITEM, Our said Soverane       Patroun sal tyne the richt of presentation for that
Lord, and Estattis of Parliament forsadis, abro- tyme allanerlie: And the richt of presentation to
gatis, cassis, and annulis the XX Act of the same be devolvit in the handes of the Presbytery within
Parliament, halden at Edinburgh, the said zeir, the quhilk benefice lyes; to the effect that they
ane thousand, five hundreth, fourscoir, four zeires, may dispone the same, and gif collatioun thereof,
granting commission to bischoppis and utheris to sik ane qualifiit persone as they sail think exjuges, constitute in ecclesiasticall causes, to pedient. Providing allwayes, in caise the Presressaue his Hienes presentatioun to benefices, to  bytery refuises to admit ane qualifiit minister,
gif collatioun thairupon, and to put ordour in all presentit to thame be the Patroun, it sail be
causes ecclesiasticall: quhilk his Majesty and  lauchful to the Patroun to retene the haill fruitis
Estatis foresaidis declaris to be expyrit in the self, of the same benefice in his awin handes. And
and to be null in tyme cuming, and of nane forder, his Hienes and Estatis foirsaides declaris,
availl, force, nor effect. And thairfoir;ordanis all that the deprivatioun already pronouncit, or to be
presentationis to benefices, to be direct to the par- pronouncit, be ony Presbytery, Synodall or Genticelar presbyteries, in all tyme cuming: with  erall Assemblies, agains ony of the personis or
full power to thame to giff collationis thereupon; vicaris afoirsaid, sail nawayes hurte or be prejuand to put ordour to all materis and causes eccle- diciall to ony tackes, lawchfullie set be that per
siasticall, within thair boundis, according to the sone deprivit, befoir his deprivatioun, to quhatdiscipline of the Kirk: Providing the forsaidis sumevir personis.
presbyteries be bund and astrictit to ressaue and
admitt quhatsumeuir qualifiet minister presentit  [It does not seem to be generally known, that
Be his Majestie, or uther laic patrou es.      the peculiarities of the act 1592, c. 116, are directly favourable to the Church in that very
Act 1592, ch. 117.  Unqualified persons being de- respect in which they have been thought unfaprived, the Benefice vaikes, and the Patron not vourable. No express mention is made of the
presentand, the right of Presentation pertainesSecond Book of Discipline, but certain of its main
to the Presbylerie, but prejudice of the tackes, set topics are ratified, while others are apparently
be the person deprived.                      passed over. Hence it has been argued that
nothing has been ratified to the Church but what
Our Souerane Lord, Considering the great is specificallymentioned in the act itself, and that
abuses quhilkis ar laitlie croppen in the Kirk, every other topic in the Book of Discipline must
throw  the misbehaviour of sik personis as ar be held to have been rejected. It has been,
providit to ecclesiasticall functionis: sic as per- shown by Mr. Dunlop what fatal confusion such
sonages and vicarages within any parrochin, and  a theory would introduce, and that, therefore, it
thairefter neglecting thair charge, ather levis cannot be admitted. But the true reason of this
thair cure, or ellis committis sik crymes, faultis, peculiarity in the act appears to be the following..
or enormities that they are fund worthy of the  It is well known that when the Second Book of
sentence of deprivatioun, ather befoir thair awin  Discipline was laid before the privy council, cerpresbyterie, or ellis befoir the Sinodall and Gen- tain articles were at once ratified, and others
erall Asseml-ies. Quhilk sentence is the less re- were referred to further consideration. Now, on




482                                  APPENDIX.
comparing the copy of the Book of Discipline in upon them, under pretext of any title, infeftment,
Spotswood, in which the marginal comments of act of Parliament, possession or warrant whatsothe privy council are given, with the act 1592, it ever, which are hereby repealed, to give, subis remarkable that none of those marked "agreed" scribe, or seal any presentation to any kirk,
are contained in the act, while the chief of those within this kingdom; and discharges the passing
marked "referred" are. From this the conclu- of any infeftment hereafter, bearing a right to
sion seems inevitable, that having already agreed patronages, to be granted in favours of those for
to these in the privy council, and thereby ratified whom the infeftments are presented; and that
them, it was not necessary to specify any but no person or persons shall, either in the behalf
those which had been left for future considera- of themselves or others, procure, receive, or make
tion, and consequently, that partly by the con- use of any presentation to any kirk within this
currence of the privy council, and partly by the kingdom. And it is further declared and oract of 1592, thus combined, almost the'whole of dained, that if any presentation shall hereafter be
the Second Book of Discipline was ratified, and given, procured, or received, that the same is
became the law of the land, as well as the law of null, and of none effect; and that it is lawful for
the Church.                                 Presbyteries to reject the same, and to refuse to
admit any to trials thereupon; and, notwith[In the year 1649, the Scottish parliament, standing thereof, to proceed to the planting ofthe
when free from external control, and at liberty kirk, upon the suit and calling, or with the conto legislate solely for the good of the country, sent of the congregation, on whom none is to be
and under the influence of a religious spirit, obtruded against their will. And it is decerned,
which taught them to respect the freedom and statuted, and ordained, that whosoever hereafter
promote the purity of Christ's spiritual kingdom, shall upon the suit and calling of the congregapassed the following important act: —       tion, after due examination of their literature and
conversation, be admitted by the Presbytery unto
Act of Parliament abolishing the Patronage of the exercise and functioun of the ministry, in
Kirks, at Edinburgh, March 9, 1649.       any parish within this kingdom, that the said
person or persons, without a presentation, by virThe Estates of Parliament being sensible of the tue of their admission, hath sufficient right and
great obligation that lies upon them by the Na- title to possess and enjoy the manse and glebe,
tional Covenant, and by the Solemn League and and the whole rents, profits, and stipends, which
Covenant, and by many deliverances and mer- the ministers of that parish had formerly possesst
cies from God, and by the late Solemn Engage- and enjoyed, or that hereafter shall be modified
ment unto Duties, to preserve the doctrine, and by tle commission for plantation of kirks.
maintain and vindicate the liberties of the Kirk And because it is needful, that the just and proof Scotland, and to advance the work of reform- per interest of congregations and Presbyteries, in
ation therein to the utmost of their power; and, providing of Kirks and ministers be clearly deterconsidering that patronages and presentations of mined by the General Assembly, and what is to
kirks is an evil and bondage, under which the be accounted the congregation having that interLord's people and ministers of this land have est; therefore, it is hereby seriously recommended
long groaned; and that it hath no warrant in unto the next General Assembly, clearly to deGod's Word, but is founded only on the canon termine the same, and to condescend upon a cerlaw, and is a custom popish, and brought into the tain standing way for being a settled rule therein
Kirk in time of ignorance and superstition; and for all times coming.
that the same is contrary to the Second Book of
Discipline, in which, upon solid and good ground,  [It is not necessary to insert the tyrannical
it is reckoned amongst abuses that are desired to acts passed in the reigns of Charles 11. and James
be reformed, and unto several acts of General VII., as these are sufficiently specified in'the
Assemblies; and that it is prejudicial to the body of the work, and necessarily perished at the
liberty of the people and planting of kirks, and period of the Revolution. The Revolution Setunto the free calling and entry of ministers unto tlement follows:-]
their charge; and the said estates, being willing
and desirous to promote and advance the Reform- Act 1690, ch. 5. Act Ratifying the Confession
ation foresaid, that every thing in the house of  of Faith, and Settling Presbyterian Church
God may be ordered according to his word and  Government.
commandment, do therefore, from the sense of
the former obligations, and upon the former   Our Sovereign Lord and Lady, the King and
grounds and reasons, discharge for ever hereafter Queen's Majesties, and three Estates of Parliaall patronages and presentations of kirks, whether ment, conceiving it to be their bound duty, after
belonging to the King, or to any laick patron, the great deliverance that God hath lately wrought
Presbyteries, or others within this kingdom, as for this Church and Kingdom,-in the first place,
being unlawful and unwarrantable by God's to settle and secure therein the true Protestant
Word, and contrary to the doctrine and liberties religion, according to the truth of God's Word,
~f the Kirk; and do repeal, rescind, make void, as it hath of a long time been professed within
and annul all gifts and rights granted thereanent, this land: As also the government of Christ's
and all former acts made in Parliament, or in Church within this nation, agreeable to the Word
any inferior judicatory, in favours of any patron of God, and most conducive to the advancement
or patrons whatsoever, so far as the same doth or of true piety and godliness, and the establishing
may relate unto the presentation of kirks; and of peace and tranquility within this realme: And
do statute and ordain, that no person or persons that, by an article of the Claim of Right, it is dewhatsomever shall, at any time hereafter, take dared that Prelacy, and the superiority of any




APPENDIX.                                      483
office in the Church above Presbyteries is, and mit or receive: And also, that all the said Preshath been, a great and unsupportable grievance byterian ministers have, and shall have right to
and trouble to this nation, and contrary to the the maintenance, rights, and other privileges, by
inclinations of the generality of the people ever law provided to the ministers of Christ's Church
since the Reformatlon,-they having reformed within this kingdom, as they are, or shall be,
from Popery by Presbyters,-and therefore ought legally admitted to particular churches. Likeas,
to be abolished: Lileas, by an Act of the last in pursuance of the premises, their Majesties do
Session of this Parliament Prelacy is abolished: hereby appoint the first meeting of the General
Therefore their Majesties, with advice and con- Assembly of this Church, as above established, to
sent of the said Three Estates, do hereby revive, be at Edinburgh, the third Thursday of October
ratifie, and perpetually confirm, all Laws, Stat- next to come, in this instant year, 1690. And
utes, and Acts of Parliament made against Popery because many conform ministers either have deand Papists, and for the maintenance and preser- serted, or were removed from preaching in their
vation of the true reformed Protestant religion, churches, preceding the thirteenth day of April
and for the true Church of Christ within this 1689, and others were deprived for not giving
kingdom, in so far as they confirm the same, or obedience to the Act of the Estates made in the
are made in favours thereof. Likeas, they, by said thirteenth of April 1689, intituled, Proclamathese presents, ratifie and establish the Confes- tion against the owning of the late King James,
sion of Faith, now read in their presence; and  and appointing publick prayers for King William
voted and approved by them, as the publick and and Queen Mary: Therefore their Majesties, with
avowed Confession of this Church, containing the advice and consent foresaid, do hereby declare
sum and substance of the doctrine of the Re- all the churches, either deserted, or from which
formed Churches, (which Confession of Faith is the conform ministers were removed or deprived,
subjoined to this present Act.)  As also they do as said is, to be vacant; and that the Presbyteestablish, ratifie, and confirm the Presbyterian  rian ministers exercising their ministry within
Church government and discipline; that is to say, any of these paroches (or where the last incumthe government of the Church by Kirk-Sessions, bent is dead), by the desire or consent of the
Presbyteries, Provincial Synods, and General paroch, shall continue their possession, and have
Assemblies, ratified and established by the 114th right to the benefices and stipends, according to
Act, Ja. 6, Parl. 12, anno 1592, intituled, Ratij- their entry in the year 1689, and in time coming,
cation of the Liberty of the true Kirk, A4c., and ay, and while the Church, as now established,
thereafter received by the general consent of this take further course therewith. And to the effect
nation, to be the only government of Christ's the disorders that have happened in this Church
Church within this kingdom; reviving, renewing, may be redressed, their Majesties, with advice
and confirming the foresaid Act of Parliament, in  and consent foresaid, do hereby allow the genthe whole heads thereof, except that part of it eral meeting, and representatives of the foresaid
relating to Patronages, which is hereafter to be Presbyterian ministers and elders, in whose hands
taken into consideration: And rescinding, annul- the exercise of the Church government is establing, and making void the Acts of Parliament lished, either by themselves, or by such ministers
following, viz:-Act anent Restitution of Bishops, and elders as shall be appointed and authorised
Ja. 6, Parl. 18, cap. 2.; Act Ratifying the Acts visitors by them, according to the custom and
of Assembly 1610, Ja. 6, Parl. 21, cap. 1; Act practice of Presbyterian government throughout
anent the Election of Archbishops and Bishops, the whole kingdom, and several parts thereof, to
Ja. 6, Parl. 22, cap. 1; Act intituled, Ratification  try and purge out all insufficient, negligent,
of the Five Articles of the General Assembly at scandalous, and erroneous ministers, by due
Perth, Ja. 6, Parl. 23, cap. 1; Act intituled, For course of ecclesiastical process and censures;
the Restitution and Re-establishment of the an- and, likewise, for redressing all other Church
cient Government of the Church by Archbishops disorders. And further, it is hereby provided,
and Bishops, ch. 2, Parl. 1, Sess. 2, Act 1; anent that whatsoever minister, being convened before
the constitution of a National Synod, ch. 2, Parl. the said general meeting and representatives of
1. Sess. 3, Act 5; Act against such as refuse to the Presbyterian ministers and elders, or the visdepone against delinquents, ch. 2, Parl. 2, Sess. itors to be appointed by them, shall either prove
2, Act 2; Act intituled, Act acknowleding and contumacious in not appearing, or be found
asserting the right of succession to the Imperial guilty, and shall be therefore censured, whether
Crown of Scotland, ch. 2, Parl. 3, Act 2; Act by suspension or deposition, they shall ipso facto
intituled, Act anent Religion and the Test, ch. 2, be suspended from or deprived of their stipends
Parl. 3, Act 6; with all other acts, laws, statutes, and benefices.
ordinances, and proclamations, and that in so far
allenarly as the said Acts, and others generally  Act 1690, ch. 23. Act concerning Patronages,
and particularly above-mentioned, or contrary or
prejudicial to, inconsistent with, or derogatory  Our Sovereign Lord and Lady, the King and
from the Protestant religion and Presbyterian  Queen's Majesties, considering, that the power
government now established; and allowing and of presenting ministers to vacant churches, of
declaring that the church government be estab- late exercised by patrons, hath been greatly
lished in the hands of, and exercised by, these Pres- abused, and is inconvenient to be continued in
byterian ministers who were outed since the 1st this realm, do therefore, with the advice and conof January 1661, for non-conformity to Prelacy, sent of the Estates of Parliament, hereby disor not complying with the courses of the times; charge, cass, annul, and make void the foresaid
and are now restored by the late Act of Parlia- power, heretofore exercised by any patron, of
ment, and such ministers and elders only as they presenting ministers to any kirk now vacant, or
have admitted or received, or shall hereafter ad- that shall hereafter happen to vaik within this




484                                    APPENDIX.
kingdom, with all exercise of the said power: the Estates of Parliament, ratifie, approve, and
And also all rights, gifts, and infeftments, acts, perpetually confirm the fifth act of the second
statutes, and customs, in so far as they may be session of this current parliament, entitled, Act
extended, or understood, to establish the said ratifying the Confession of Faith, and settling
right of presentation; but prejudice always, of Presbyterian Church Government, in the whole
such ministers as are duly entered by the foresaid  Heads, Articles, and Clauses thereof; and do
presentations (while in use), their right to the further statute and ordain, that no person be admanse, glebe, benefice, stipend, and other profits mitted, or continued for hereafter, to be a minisof their respective churches, as accords: And but ter or preacher within this Church, unless that
prejudice to the patrons of their right to employ  he having first taken and subscribed the oath of
the vacant stipends on pious uses, within the allegiance, and subscribed the assurance, in manrespective paroches, except where the patron is ner appointed by another act of this present sespopish, in which case is to employ the same on  sion of parliament, made thereanent: Do also
pious uses, by the advice and appointment of the subscribe the Confession of Faith, ratified in the
Presbytery; and in case the patron shall fail in foresaid fifth act of the second session of this parapplying the vacant stipend for the uses foresaid, liament, declaring the same to be the confession
that he shall lose his right of administration of the of his faith, and that he owns the doctrine therein
vacant stipend for that and the next vacancy, contained to be the true doctrine which he will
and the same shall be disposed on by the Presby- constantly adhere to: As, likewise, that he owns
tery to the uses foresaid; excepting always the  and acknowledges Presbyterian Church governvacant stipends within the bounds of the Synod  ment, as settled by the foresaid fifth act of the
of Argyle: And to the effect, the calling and en- second session of this parliament, to be the only
tering ministers, in all time coming, may be government of this Church, and that he will suborderly and regularly performed, their Majesties, mit thereto, and concur therewith, and never enwith consent of the Estates of Parliament, do deavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or
statute and declare, That, in case of the vacancy  subversion thereof.  And their Majesties, with
of any particular church, and for supplying the advice and consent foresaid, statute and ordain,
same with a minister, the heritors of the said that uniformity of worship, and oftheadministraparish (being Protestants) and the elders are to tion of all public ordinances within this Church, be
name and propose the person to the whole con- observed by all the saids ministers and preachers
gregation, to be either approven or disapproven  as the same are at present performed and allowed
by them; and if they disapprove, that the disap- therein, or shall be hereafter declared by the auprovers give in their reasons, to the effect the thority of the same; and that no minister or
affair may be cognosced upon by the Presbytery  preacher be admitted or continued for hereafter,
of the bounds, at whose judgment, and by whose unless that he subscribe to observe, and do actually
determination, the calling and entry of a particu- observe, the foresaid uniformity: And for the more
lar minister is to be ordered and concluded. And  effectual settling the quiet and peace of this church,
it is hereby enacted, that if application be not the estates of parliament do hereby make a humble
made by the eldership, and heritors of the paroch, address to their Majesties, that they would be
to the Presbytery, for the call and choice of a pleased to call a General Assembly, for the ordering
minister, within the space of six months after the the affairs of the Church, and to the end that all
vacancy, that then the Presbytery may proceed  the present ministers possessing churches, not yet
to provide the said parish, and plant a minister admitted to the exercise of the foresaid Church
in the church, tanqnram jure devoluto. It is al- government, conform to the said Act, and who
ways hereby declared, that this act shall be but shall qualify themselves in manner foresaid, and
prejudice of the calling of ministers to royal shall apply to the said Assembly, or the other
burghs by the Magistrates, Town-Council, and  Church judicatures competent, in an orderly way,
Kirk-Session of the burgh, where there is no  each man for himself be received to partake with
landward parish, as they have been in use before them in the government thereof: Certifying such
the year 1660. And where there is a considera- as shall not qualify themselves, and apply to the
ble part of the paroch in landward, that the call said Assembly, or other judicatures, within the
shall be by Magistrates, Town-Council, Kirk- space of thirty days after meeting of the said first
Session, and the heritors of the landward paroch. Assembly, in manner foresaid, that they may be
And in lieu and recompense of the said right of deposed by the sentence of the said Assembly
presentation, hereby taken away, their Majesties, and other judicatures tam ob officio quam a benewith advice and consent aforesaid, statute and ficio (as from the office, so also from the beneordain the heritors and liferenters of each paroch, fice); and withal declaring, that if any of the
and the Town-Councils for the burgh, to pay the said ministers who have not hitherto been resaid patrons, betwixt and Martinmas next, the ceived into the government of the Church, shall
sum of six hundred merks, &c., &c.            offer to qualify themselves, and to apply in manner foresaid, they shall have their Majesties' full
[The circumstances connected with the act protection, aye and until they shall be admitted
1693, and the objects it was intended to subserve, and received in manner foresaid; providing alhave been already mentioned in the body of the  ways that this Act, and the benefit thereof, shall
work, see pp. 309, 310.]                      no ways be extended to such of the said ministers as are scandalous, erroneous, negligent, or
Act 1693. Act for Settling the Quiet and Peace insufficient, and against whom the same shall be
of the Chur-ch.                             verified, within the space of thirty days after the
said application: but these and all others in like
Our Sovereign Lord and Lady, the King and   manner guilty, are hereby declared to be liable
Queen's Majesties, with advice and consent of and subject to the power and censure of the




APPENDIX.                                       485
Church, as accords: And to the effect that the and General Assembly, all established by the forerepresentation of this Church, in its General As- said acts of Parliament, pursuant to the Claim of
semblies, may be the more equal in all time com- Right, shall remain and continue unalterable; and
ing, recommends it to the first Assembly that that the said Presbyterian government shall be
shall be called, to appoint ministers to be sent as the only government of the Church within the
Commissioners from   every Presbytery, not in  kingdon of Scotland.
equal numbers, which is manifestly unequal       And further, for the greater security of the
where Presbyteries are so; but in due proportion  foresaid Protestant religion, and of the worship,
to the churches and parishes within every Pres- discipline, and government of this Church, as
bytery, as they shall judge convenient; and it is above established, her Majesty, with advice and
hereby declared, that all school-masters, and  consent foresaid, statutes and ordains, That the
teachers of youth in schools, are and shall be universities and colleges of St. Andrews, Glasliable to the trial, judgment, and censure of the gow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, as now estabPresbyteries of the bounds, for their sufficiency, lished by law, shall continue within this kingdom
qualifications, and deportment in the said office. for ever: and that in all time coming, no profesAnd lastly, their Majesties, with advice and con- sors, principals, regents, masters, or others, bearsent foresaid, do hereby statute and ordain, that ing office in any university, college, or school,
the Lords of their Majesties' privy council, and  within this kingdom, be capable, or admitted, or
all other magistrates, judges, and officers ofjustice, allowed to continue in the exercise of their said
give all due assistance for making the sentences functions, but such as shall own and acknowand censures of the Church and judicatures thereof ledge the civil government in manner prescribed,
to be obeyed, or otherwise effectual, as accords.  or to be prescribed by the acts of Parliament: as
also, that before or at their admissions, they do
[The circumstances preceding and accompany- and shall acknowledge, and profess, and shall
ing the Treaty of Union have been already re- subscribe to the foresaid Confession of Faith, as
lated in the body of the work: no more is ne- the confession of their faith; and that they will
cessary than to insert here the Act of Security:-]  practise and conform themselves to the worship
presently in use in this Church, and submit
Act for Securing the Protestant Religion and   themselves to the government and discipline
Presbyterian Church Government, which was thereof; and never endeavour, directly or indithe basis of the Treaty of Union at Edinburgh, rectly, the prejudice or subversion of the same;
January 16, 1707.                            and that before the respective Presbyteries of
January 16, 1707.        their bounds, by whatsomever gift, presentation,
Our Sovereign Lady, and the Estates of Par- or provision they may be thereto provided.
liament, considering, That by the late Act of Par-' And further, her Majesty, with advice foresaid,
liament for a treaty with England, for an union  expressly declares and statutes, that none of the
of both kingdoms, it is provided, that the con- subjects of this kingdom shall be liable to, but all
missioners for that treaty should not treat of or and every one of them, for ever free of, any oath,
concerning any alteration of the worship, disci- test, or subscription within this kingdom, conpline, and government of the Church in this trary to or inconsistent with the foresaid true
kingdom   as now  by law   established: which  Protestant religion, and Presbyterian church govtreaty being now reported to the Parliament, and  ernment, worship, and discipline, as above estabit being reasonable and nc.essary that, the true lished: and that the same within the bounds of
Protestant religion, as presently professed within  this Church and kingdom, shall never be imposed
this kingdom, with the worship, discipline, and  upon or required of them in any sort.
government of this Church, should be-jfectually   And lastly, that after the decease of her presand tunl lterably secured, therefore, her Majesty, ent Majesty (whom  God long preserve), the
with advice and consent of the said Estates of sovereign succeeding to her in the royal governParliament, do thereby establish and confirm the ment of the kingdom of Great Britain, shall in
said true Protestant religion, and the worship, all time coming at his or her accession to the
discipline, and government of this Church, to con- crown, swear and subscribe, that they shall intinue without any alteration to the people of this violably maintain and preserve the foresaid setland in all succeeding generations: and more es- tlement of the true Protestant religion, with
pecially, her Majesty, with advice and consent the government, worship, discipline, rights and
aforesaid, ratifies, approves, and for ever confirms privileges of this Church, as above established by
the fifth act of the first Parliament of King Wil- by the laws of this kingdom, in prosecution ofthe
liam and Queen Mary, entitled, "An Act ratify- Claim of Right: and it is hereby statute and oring the Confession of Faith, and settling Presby- dained, that this act of Parliament, with the estabterian Church Government, with the hail other lishment therein contained, shall be held and
Acts of Parliament relating thereto, in prosecu- observed in all time coming, as a fundamental
tion of the declaration of the estates of this king- and essential condition of any treaty or union to be
dom, containing the Claim of Right, bearing date concluded betwixt the two kingdoms, without any althe I th of April 1689."  And her Majesty, with teration thereof, or derogation thereto, in any sort
advice and consent aforesaid, expressly provides forever: as also, that this act of Parliament, and
and declares, that the foresaid true Protestant re- settlement therein contained, shall be insert and religion, contained in the above mentioned Confes- peated in any act of Parliament that shall pass for
sion of Faith, with the form and purity of wor- agreein  and concluding the foresaid treaty or
ship presently in use within this Church, and its union betwixt the two kingdoms; and that the same
Presbyterian church government and discipline; shall be therein expressly declared to be a fundamenthat is to say, the government of the Church by  tal and essential condition of the said treatyf  o
Kirk-Sessions Presbyteries, Provincial Synods, union in all time coming.




486                                   APPENDIX.
Act Ratifying and Approving the Treaty of tions of that part of Great Britain called Scotland,
Union of the two Kingdoms of Scotland and the presenting of ministers to vacant churches
England, January 16, 1707, founded on the did of right belong to the patrons, until, by the
foresail Act of Szcu'ity.                   twenty-third Act of the second session of the first
Parliament of the late King William and Queen
The Estates of Parliament considering that Mary, held in the year one thousand six hundred
Articles of Union of the kingdoms of Scotlana and ninety, intituled, "Act concerning Patronand England were agreed on the 22d of July    ages," the presentation was taken from the pa1706 years, &c. *     *   *andsicklike, her Ma- trons, and given to the heritors and elders of the
jesty, with advice and consent of the Estates of respective parishes; and, in place of the right of
Parliament, resolving to establish the Protestant presentation, the heritors and liferenters of every
religion and Presbyterian church government, parish were to pay to the respective patrons a
has passed in this session of Parliament an " Act small and inconsiderable sum  of money, for
for securing of the Protestant Religion and Pres- which the patrons were to renounce their right
byterian Church Government," which, by the of presentation in all times thereafter: And
tenor thereof, is appointed to be insert in any act whereas by the fifteenth act of the fifth session,
ratifying the treaty, and expressly declared to be and by the thirteenth act of the sixth session, of
a fundamental and essential condition of the said the first Parliament of the said King William, the
treaty of union in all time coming, &c.       one intituled " An Act for encouraging of Preachers at vacant Churches benorth Forth," and the
[After embodying the Act of Security, the doc- other intituled, " Act in favour of Preachers beument proceeds as follows:-]                  north Forth;" there are several burdens imposed
Which Articles of Union, and act immediately upon vacant stipends, to the prejudice of the paabove written, her Majesty, with advice and con- tron's right of disposing thereof: And whereas
sent aforesaid, statutes, enacts, and ordains to be that way of calling ministers has proved inconand continue in all time coming the' sure and per- venient, and has not only occasioned great heats
petual foundation of a complete and entire union and divisions among those who, by the aforesaid
of the two kingdoms of Scotland and England, un- act, were entitled and authorised to call minisder the express condition and provision, That this ters, but likewise has been a great hardship upon
approbation and ratification of the foresaid articles the patrons, whose predecessors had founded and
and act shall be noways binding on this kingdom, endowed those churches, and who had not reuntil the said articles and act be ratified, approved, ceived payment or satisfaction for their right of
and confirmed by her Majesty, with and by the au- patronage from the aforesaid heritors or liferentthority of the Parliament of England, as they are, ers of the respective parishes, nor have granted
now agreed to, approved and confirmed by her Ma- renunciations of their said rights on that account:
jesty, with and by the authority of the Parliament Be it therefore enacted, by the Queen's most exof Scotland. Declaring nevertheless, That the cellent Majesty, by and with the advice and conParliament of England may provideforthe security sent of the Lords spiritual and temporal, and
of the Church of England, as they think it expe- Commons, in this present Parliament assembled,
dient, to take place within the bounds of the said and by the authority of the same, that the aforekingdom of England, and not derogating fiom   said act, made in the year one thousand six hunthe security above provided for establishing of the dred and ninety, intituled, " Act concerning PaChurch of Scotland within the bounds of this tronages," in so far as the same relates to the
kingdom. As also, the said Parliament of Eng- presentation of ministers by heritors and others
land may extend the additions and other provis- therein mentioned, be, and is hereby repealed
ions contained in the Articles of Union, as above and made void; and that the aforesaid fifteenth
insert, in favours of the subjects of Scotland, to act of the fifth session, and thirteenth act of the
and in favours of the subjects of England, which  sixth session, of the first Parliament of King Wilshall not suspend or derogate from the force and liam, be, and are hereby likewise repealed and
effect of this present ratification, but shall be un- made void: and that in all time coming, the right
derstood as herein included, without the neces- of all and every patron or patrons to the presensity of any new ratification in the Parliament of tation of ministers to churches and benefices, and
Scotland. And lastly, her Majesty enacts and de- the disposing of the vacant stipends for pious
clares, T/hat all laws and statutes in this kingdom, uses within the parish, be restored, settled, and
so far as they are contrary to, orinconsistent with, confirmed to them, the aforesaid acts, or any
the terms of these articles, as above mentioned, shall other act, statute, or custom to the contrary in
from and after the Union cease and become void.  any wise notwithstanding; and that from and
after the first day of May one thousand seven
[The insertion of the perfidious act of Queen  hundred and twelve, it shall and may be lawful
Anne's Jacobite ministry, immediately after the for her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and
Revolution Settlement and the Act of Security, for every other person or persons who have right
is enough to show how completely the Patronage to any patronage or patronages of any church or
Act is a violation of national faith, and contrary churches whatsoever, in that part of Great Brito the inviolable Act of Security.]           tain called Scotland (and who have not made
and subscribed a formal renunciation thereof unAct 10, Q. Anne, ch. 12, 1711. An Act to restore der their hands), to present a qualified minister
the Patrons to their ancient Rights of present- or ministers to any church or churches whereof
ing Ministers to the Churches vacant in that they are patrons, which shall, after the first day
part of Great Britain called Scotland.      of May, happen to be vacant; and the Presbytery of the respective bounds shall, and is hereby
I. Whereas, by the antient laws and constitu- obliged to receive and admit, in the same manner




APPENDIX.                                      487
such qualified person or persons, minister or taking the oatns appointed by law, or who, being
ministers, as shall be presented by the respective settled in other churches,.cannot or will not acpatrons, as the persons or ministers presented s- cept of such presentations: To the end that such
fore the making of this act ought to have been  inconveniences may be prevented for the future,
admitted.                                     be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that if
II. Provided always, that in case any patron  any patron shall present any person to a vacant
or patrons have accepted of and received any sum  church, from and after the first day of June, one
or sums of money from the heritors or liferenters thousand seven hundred and nineteen, who shall
of any parish, or from the Magistrates or Town  not be qualified by taking and subscribing the
Council of any borough, in satisfaction of their said oath in manner aforesaid, or shall present a
right of presensation, and have discharged or re- person to any vacancy who is then or shall be
nounced the same under their hand, that nothing  pastor or minister of any other church or parish,
herein shall be construed to restore such patron  or any person who shall not accept, or declare his
or patrons to their right of presentation; any  willingness to accept, of the presentation and
thing in this present act to the contrary notwith- charge to which he is presented, within the said
standing.                                     time, such presentation shall not be accounted
III. Provided also, and it is hereby enacted, by  any interruption of the course of time allowed to
the authority aforesaid, that in case the patron  the patron for presenting; but the jts devoluteum
of any church aforesaid shall neglect or refuse to shall take place, as if no presentation had been
present any qualified minister to such church  offered: any law or custom to the contrary notthat shall be vacant the said first day of May, or withstanding.
shall happen to be vacant at any time there-    IX. And be it also further declared and enacted,
after, for the space of six months after the said that nothing herein contained shall prejudice or
first day of May, or after such vacancy shall diminish the right of the Church, as the same
happen, that the right of presentation shall accrue now stands by law established, as to the trying
and belong for that time to the Presbytery of the of the qualities of any person presented to any
bounds where such church is, who are to present church or benefice.
a qualified person for that vacancy, tanquamjure
devoluto.                                      Excerpt from Act 4 and 5 William IV. c. 41.
IV. And be it further enacted and declared by
the authority aforesaid, that the patronage and  Be it enacted, &c., that where any church,
right of presentations of ministers to all churches chapel, or other place of worship, in that part of
which belonged to archbishops, bishops, or other Great Britain called Scotland, built or acquired
dignified persons, in the year one thousand six  and endowed by voluntary contribution, shall be
hundred and eighty-nine, before Episcopacy was erected into a parochial church, either as an adabolished, as well as those which formerly be- ditional church within a parish already provided
longed to the Crown, shall and do of right belong  with a parochial church, or as the church of a
to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, who  separate parish to be erected out of the part or
may present qualified ministers to such church or parts of any existing parish or parishes, whether
churches, and dispose of the vacant stipends the same be established and erected quoad spiritthereof for pious uses, in the same way and man- ntalia, by authority of the church courts of the
ner as her Majesty, her heirs and successors, may  Established Church of Scotland, or also quoad
do in the case of other patronages belonging to temporalia, by authority of the Commissioners of
the Crown.                                    Teinds, neither the King's Majesty, nor any priV. Declaring always, that nothing in this pres- vate person, nor any body politic or corporate,
ent act contained shall extend, or be construed  having right to the patronage of the parish or
to extend, to repeal and make void the aforesaid parishes within which such additional churches
twenty-third act of the second session of the first shall be established, or out of which such new parparliament of the I.te King William and Queen  ishes shall be erected, shall have any claim, right, or
Mary, excepting so Car as relates to the calling  title whatsoever, to the patronage of such newly
and presenting of ministers, and to the disposing  established churches, or newly erected parishes;
of vacant stipends, in prejudice of the patrons but the right of presenting ministers thereto shall
only.                                         be exercised according to the manner, and subject to the conditions, which shall be provided or
[Although no real benefit arose from the Act sanctioned by the church courts establishing the
1719, yet it may be inserted to show, that in a said churches, or where new parishes shall be
purer and more faithful state of the Church it erected, as shall be prescribed and regulated by
might have been of some avail.]              the said church courts erecting such new parishes into separate spiritual jurisdictions, subject
Excerpt from Act 5th, Geo. I. cap. 29, 1719, enti- always to such alterations as shall be made by the
tied "An Act for making snore efectual the said courts, according to the laws of the Church
Laws appointing the Oaths for Security of the from time to time.
Governmzent, to be taken by 2Mtinisters and
Preachers in Churches and Meeting-houses in    The object of this act was to relieve new
Scotland."                                 churches from a peculiar operation of the Patronage Act, which had proved a great obstacle to
VIII. And whereas great obstructions have their erection. It had been found, as in the case
been made to the planting, supplying, or filling of Whitburn, for example, that when a church
up of vacant churches in Scotland, with ministers had been built and endowed by voluntary contriqualified according to law, patrons presenting bution, and a district assigned to it as a new
persons to churches who are not qualified, by parish, the patron of the original parish might




188                                   APPENDIX.
seize upon the patronage of the new erection, Providence will permit, till their cup is full. Quo4
even though there had been inserted into its con- Deus vult perdere, prius dementat.]
stitution an article expressly excluding patronage,
and restoring the original principle of popular
election.  The people would not build churches
to be immediately seized by patrons, who, following the usual policy of patronage without its
usual fallacious plea, usurped a supremacy where             No. III.
they could not even pretend a patrimonial right.
The above act put an end to all such usurpation, PRINCIPLES, ACTS, AND RESOLUTIONS
and tended greatly to promote the great Church  OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, REExtension scheme of the reforming and reviving  SPECTING   THE    APPOINTMENT       OF
Church of Scotland. But Moderate policy, ha-  MINISTERS AND PATRONAGE.
ting these new churches because they were popular and evangelical, and free from patronage,  The principles of the Church of Scotland with
devised methods to crush them if possible. The regard to the proper method of appointing minislegality of the admission into church courts of ters to the pastoral office have been much misrepthe ministers of such churches has been strenu- resented, and yet it appears absolutely impossible
ously denied, and protested against; yet with for any candid and unprejudiced person to read
strange inconsistency the Moderate.party placed her standards and acts of Assembly, and to mark
one of these ministers in the moderator's chair. her general procedure, without clearly perceiving
In some instances the heritors have claimed that patronage is essentially contrary to the spirit,
the collections made at the doors of these new  the fundamental principles, and the constitution,
churches, as belonging to the parochial funds of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. There
for the support of the poor, and the Court of Ses- is not the slightest doubt that kings, governsion has sanctioned the unjust claim, with the ments, politicians, and worldly-minded men in
perfect certainty that the attempt to enforce it general, whether without the Church or within
would put an end to the collections, without any it, have always striven to enact or to enforce pabenefit to the heritors. In other instances the tronage because they expected through its influheritors have applied to the Court of Session for ence to render the Church subservient to their
an interdict to prevent the Presbytery of the purposes as a mere political engine; but the true
bounds where a new church had been erected, subject of inquiry is, not what rulers and polifrom assigning to it a parochial district quoad ticians have always striven to effect,-that would
spiritualia, and have obtained the interdict, on  only be an inquiry into their opinions, about
the strange plea, that every man in the original which there is no doubt,-but what the Chr-rch
parish had a right to the religious services of the has always declared, maintained in theory, and
parish minister, and that, therefore, to give him  striven to realize in practice, as the scriptural,
the additional services of another, was azn illegal and therefore the best, method of appointing mininterference with his civil r'ights! But the most isters to the pastoral office.
formidable aspect which the fierce hostility of  Beginning with the great and sacred principle,
Moderatism against the new churches has as- "That the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head
sumed, is that which asserts that church courts and King of the Church," the Presbyterian
are so completely vitiated by the admission of Church holds as self-evident, that the appointtheir ministers, that no measure in which they  ment of office-bearers in his spiritual kingdom
have taken a part is legal and valid. This, too, must necessarily belong exclusively to its Divine
the Court of Session has sanctioned, notwith- King, and be regulated solely byhis precepts and
standing the legislative recognition of these commands, either as given in his own words, or
churches in the above act of parliament, by grant- as embodied in the proceedings of his inspired
ing interdicts to prevent the execution of sen- Apostles. Applying to the Scriptures to ascertences of deposition pronounced by Presbyteries, tain from them the mind and will of the King of
Synods, and the General Assembly itself, in the Zion in this matter, it is found, that He distinctly
case of ministers convicted of heresy and theft, declares the responsibility of his people in the
expressly on the ground that these sentences are exercise of their private judgment what pastor
invalid because pronounced by church courts in they are to hear and follow. The Apostles use
which ministers of new churches and quoad sacra similar but still more explicit language, and in
parishes deliberated and acted as constituent the few instances of the appointment of officemembers. If this decision of the civil could be bearers which are recorded in the Scriptures, this
carried into full effect, it would be equivalent to at least is evident, that they were either directly
a new act Rescissory, as it would nullify the chosen by the people themselves, or with their
whole judicial procedure of the Church of Scot- consent and approval. Hence the principle, that
land since the year 1834. In this, doubtless, there cannot be a scriptural appointment to the
Moderatism would rejoice, but for one considera- pastoral office without the consent and approval
tion: not a few Moderate ministers would im- of the Christian people, that is, of those who
mediately lose all legal claim to their stipends, compose the true flock, having been admitted to
their ordination and induction being rendered  the privileges of Christian communion, and
void, as the illegal act of a vitiated church court. thereby made citizens of Zion and members of
They will, therefore, probably adhere to their Christ's spiritual body, the Church, of which He
latest policy, and strive to procure the ejection is the only Head. But this principle may come
of the whole Evangelical party, that they may  into operation in either of two different ways,themselves enjoy the civil emoluments of the either by the Christian flock directly choosing
Church, so long as the righteous retribution of their own pastor, or by expressing their consent,




APPENDIX.                                    489
approval of, and willingness to receive in that intrudea upon any congregation, either by the
relation the person offered to them. The first of prince or any inferior person, without lawful
these modes the Church of Scotland has always election, and the assent of the people over whom
regarded as the best, because the most scriptural, the person is placed,-as the practice of the aposnatural, and direct; but when that could not be tolic and primitive Kirk, and good order, crave.
obtained, she has been willing to act upon the  "And because this order, which God's Word
second, because not unscriptural, and capable, if craves, cannot stand with patronages and presenproperly administered, of securing the important tations to benefices used in the Pope's Kirk, we
objects in view, namely, the affectionate regard desire all them that truly fear God, earnestly to
and confidence of the Christian people, and the consider, that forasmuch as the names of patronappointment of an equally acceptable and efficient ages and benefices, together with the effect
ministry, whom the Lord might bless in their la- thereof, have flowed from the Pope and corruphours for the extension of his kingdom and the tion of the canon law only, in so far as thereby
edification of his people. And because the Church any person was introduced or placed over kirks
has believed that either of these methods of ap- having curam animarum; and forasmuch as that
pointing ministers might be employed, though manner of proceeding hath no ground in the
preferring the former, she has in different periods Word of God, but is contrary to the same, and to
employed the one or the other, according to the the said liberty of election, they ought not now
force of circumstances; from which has arisen to have place in this light of reformation; and,
the varying aspects which this great principle has therefore, whosoever will embrace God's Word,
from time to time assumed; but never has she and desire the kingdom of his Son, Christ Jesus,
abandoned the principle itself, and never can she to be advanced, they will also embrace that policy
abandon it without ceasing to be the Presbyterian and order which the Word of God and upright
Church of Scotland, or rather, without ceasing estate of this Kirk crave; otherwise it is in vain
to be a Christian Church, and becoming a mere that they have professed the same.' (Ibid., chap.
secular institution.                        xii. pars. 9, 10.)
A few extracts will show the truth of the pre-  It will be observed that the language of the
ceding statement.                           Second Book of Discipline varies a little from
that of the First, chiefly in the precedence which
FIRST BOOK OF DISCIPLINE,          it seems to give to " the judgment of the elderDan p by Jn Kn   ad o s immediately ship," or Presbytery, in the election of ministers.
Dawn f   by Joh     x and in hers i        The very slightest acquaintance with the history
fter the  lrmation i 1560.      of the period is sufficient to explain that apparent
" It appertaineth to the people, and to every difference. The people of Scotland were at that
several congregation to elect their minister." period little better than serfs and bondmen; the
(First Book of Discipline, Fourth Head, chap. iv. Presbyterian Church had indeed struck off the
sect. 2.)                                   fetters and broken the yoke of Popery, and given
" For altogether this is to be avoided, that any them religious liberty; but they were still groanman be violently intruded or thrust in upon any ing beneath an oppressive civil despotism.  The
congregation; but this liberty with all care must Church of Scotland, on the other hand, had obbe reserved to every several church, to have their tained the sanction of the legislature to its prinvotes and suffrages in election of their ministers." ciples so far, that it was rather perilous for the
(Ibid., sect. 4.)                           king to assail its recognised liberties, which his
"The admission of ministers to their offices own hand had ratified. Holding fast her own
must consist in [the] consent of the people and principle, that the Christian people have a sacred
church whereto they shall be appointed, and ap- right to the choice of their pastor, the Church
probation of the learned ministers appointed for adopted the generous part of placing herself in
their examination." (Ibid., chap. iv. sect. 8.)  the front of the conflict, throwing over the people the shield of her own admitted rights and
SECOND BOOK OF DISCIPLINE,          privileges, and encountering the royal despot's
hostility, that she might secure to the Redeemer's
Drawn up by Andrew Melville and others, and flock that liberty wherewith he had made them
approved: by the Church of Scotland as one free. At that time every article of religious freeof her Standards, 1581.                   dom which was gained by the office-bearers of
"This ordinary and outward calling has two the Church, was gained for the people composparts-election and ordination. Election is the ing, with the office-bearers, the Church; and
choosing out of a person or persons, most able nothing in the whole conduct of our Scotish Refor the office that vaikes, by the judgment of formers gives even the least ground of credibility
the eldership, and consent of the congregation to the strange assertion of Moderatism, that the
to whom the person or persons are appointed. sole object for which our reforming ancestors
*        *    In this ordinary election it is to were then contending, was the acquisition of ecbe eschewed that any person be intruded into clesiastical power to Church Courts, regardless
any of the offices of the kirk contrary to the will of the people. This, indeed, is the system of
of the congregation to which they are appointed, Moderatism, but not that of the true Church of
or without the voice of the eldership." (Second Scotland.
Book of Discipline, chap. iii. sect. 4, 5.)   In the year 1582, the General Assembly passed
"The liberty of the election of persons called an act complaining of the "ambition, covetousto the ecclesiastical functions, and observed with- ness, and indirect dealing of sundry" who went
out interruption, so long as the Kirk was not about to enter into the ministry by corrupt collucorrupted by antichrist, we desired to be restored sion with patrons, and being in, employed unand retained within this realm; so that none be lawful means to avoid correction and punishment
62




490                                  APPENDIX.
for their offences,-" seeking by the civil power the appointment of ministers. This was done at
to exempt and withdraw themselves from theju- the next meeting of Assembly, on the 4th of Aurisdiction of the Kirk,"-" and procuring letters gust 1649, and is as follows:or charges to impair, hurt, or stay the said jurisdiction.  Such conduct was forbidden under the  Directory for the Election of Ministers.
pain of excommunication; but to avoid any unnecessary -collision with the civil power, it is  When any place of the ministry in a congreadded, "and this act to be no ways prejudicial to gation is vacant, it is incumbent to the Presbytery
the laic patrons and their presentations, unto the with all diligence to send one of their number to
time the laws be reformed according to God's preach to that congregation, who, in his doctrine,
Word." Nothing could more clearly prove, that is to represent to them the necessity of providing
our reformers did not consider patronage to be the place with a qualified pastor; and to exhort
according to God's Word.                    them to fervent prayer and supplication to the
When, in the year 1588, King James was busily Lord, that he would send them a pastor accordprosecuting his weak and sinful policy of bestow- ing to his own heart; as also he is to signify, that
ing Church property upon his unworthy favour- the Presbytery, out of their care of that flock,
ites, erecting titular lordships, and annexing pa- will send unto them preachers whom they may
tronages to the lands which had been wrongfully hear; and if they have a desire to hear any other,
seized and wickedly gifted to wicked men, nay, they will endeavour to procure them a hearing of
giving in some instances the naked patronage that person, or persons, upon the suit of the eldwithout any lands, the General Assembly passed ers to the Presbytery.
- act, eaomplainitg of this procedure, remonstrat  "Within some cormpetent twn thevrefter, th
ing with his rMajeaty, and finally ".. IhiNbti.. in Presb},terv i1 agmin to eaard tono o mo-oe of theis
the mean time all Commissioners and Presyte- number to the said vacant congregation, on a
ries, that they on no ways give collation or ad- certain day appointed before for that effect, who
mission to any persons presented by said new  are to convene and hear sermon the foresaid day;
patrons, as is above specified, unto the next Gen- which being ended, and intimation being made
eral Assembly." This is a clear proof, that these by the minister, that they are to go about the
new patronages were not at the time, and never election of a pastor for that congregation, the
since have been, recognised by the Church of Session of the congregation shall meet and proScotland as lawful and valid, but complained ceed to the election, the action being moderated
against as unlawful, and condemned as invalid; by him that preached; and if the people shall,
and be it remembered, that four-fifths of the upon the intimation of the person agreed upon
whole patronages in Scotland were thus illegally by the Session, acquiesce and consent to the said
and tyrannically created. The Church was spoiled person, that the matter being reported to the
of her own patrimony,-that property was given Presbytery by commissioners sent from the Sesto the King's unworthy minions,-and then the sion, they are to proceed to the trial of the person
patronage was added in virtue of the pillage thus elected; and finding him qualified, to admit
which these men had received.               him to the ministry in the said congregation.
The last faithful Assembly, as Calderwood   " But if it happen that the major part of the
terms that of 1596, being well aware that there congregation dissent from the person agreed upon
remained many abuses still to be reformed, and by the Session, in that case the matter shall be
being desirous to reform the Church first, ap- brought unto the Presbytery, who shall judge of
pointed a Committee to point out these abuses. the same; and if they do not find their dissent to
In stating the corruptions in the office of the be grounded on causeless prejudice, they are to
ministry, the following specification is made. appoint a new election, in manner above specified.
" Thirdly, Because, by presentations, many forci- " But if a lesser part of the Session or congrebly are thrust into the ministry, and upon congre- gation show their dissent from the election, withgations, that utter thereafter that they were not out exceptions relevant and verified to the Prescalled by God, it would be provided, that none bytery; notwithstanding thereof, the Presbytery
seek presentations to benefices without advice of shall go on to the trials and ordination of the
the Presbytery within the bounds whereof the person elected; yet all possible diligence and
benefice lies, and if any do in the contrary, they  tenderness must be used to bring all parties to an
are to be repelled, as rei ambitus,"-that is, guilty harmonious agreement.
of attempting to procure the office by corrupt  "It is to be understood that no person under
means.                                      the censure of the Kirk because of any scandaAt the era of the Second Reformation, 1638, lous offence, is to be admitted to have a hand in
the famous Assembly of that date passed an act the election of a minister.
" anent the presenting of either pastors, or read-  "Where the congregation is disaffected and
ers, and school-masters, to particular congrega- malignant, in that case the Presbytery is to protions," in these words: "That there be respect vide them with a minister."
had to the congregation, and that no person be
intruded in any office of the Kirk contrary to the  When Charles II., by an act at once of perfidy
will of the congregation to which they are ap- and of tyranny, overthrew  the Presbyterian
pointed. The Assembly alloweth this article."  Church of Scotland, patronage was reintroduced.
Several modifications of patronage took place When the revolution drove the perfidious and
during the intervening period between the Glas- despotic family of Stuart from the throne, patrongow Assembly and the year 1649, when the Scot- age was abolished, and the rights and privileges
tish parliament passed an act abolishing patron- of the Church and people restored and confirmed
age altogether, recommending the next General by the Revolution Settlement and the Act of SeAssembly to provide and enact a standing rule for curity, as has been fully shown in the body of




APPENDIX.                                     491
the work, and in these acts themselves in the  "Upon a motion that the reso ution of AssemAppendix. The opposition made by the Church  bly respecting the moderation of calls shos ld, for
of Scotland to the perfidious act of 1712, which  the satisfaction of all concerned, be converted
violated the Union, if it be considered valid, and, into a declaratory act, and printed amongst the
at least, violated national faith in the attempt to Acts of Assembly, the General Assembly agreed
reimpose patronage upon the Scottish Church, thereto without a vote; and in terms of said resohas also been sufficiently stated. A strong desire lution did and hereby do declare, that the moderto avoid prolixity alone prevents us from tran- ation of a call, in the settlement of ministers, is
scribing the Address of the Scottish Commission- agreeable to the immemorial and constitutional
ers to the House of Lords against that bill; and practice ofthis Church, and ought to be continued."
the same reason causes us to withhold both the  Nothing further need to be stated respecting
Address of the General' Assembly to Queen Anne, the proceedings of the Church, till the passing of
and a subsequent memorial to King George I., the act on calls, commonly called the Veto Act,
imploring redress from the grievance of patronage. which is as follows:Neither shall we insert the Address of the Gen-  " Edinburgh, May 29, 1835.-The General Aseral Assembly to King George II. in 1735, though  sembly declare, That it is a fundamental law of
these documents most strongly express the earn- this Church, that no pastor shall be intruded on
est desire of the Church of Scotland to obtain the any congregation contrary to the will of the peorepeal of the Patronage Act.                ple; and, in order that this principle may be carBut the Act of Assembly 1736 must be given, ried into full effect, the General Assembly, with
for the purpose of showing the view entertained  the consent of a majority of the Presbyteries of
by that reforming Assembly, during the tempo- this Church, do declare, enact, and ordain, That
rary ascendancy of the Evangelical and Constitu- it shall be an instruction to Presbyteries, that if,
tional body in the Church, with regard to their at the moderating in a call to a vacant pastoral
own duty and in conformity with their own prin- charge, the major part of the male heads of famiciples, even though the desired redress had not lies, members of the vacant congregation, and in
been obtained.                              full communion with the Church, shall disap"Act 1736 against Intrusion of Ministers into prove of the person in whose favour the call is
Act  nst  son  f Minists  ntoproposed to be moderated in, such disapproval
vacant Congregations, and Recommendations shall be deemed sufficient ground for the Presbyto Presbyteries concerning Settlements.   tery rejecting such person, and that he shall be
"The General Assembly, considerinT, from  rejected accordingly, and due notice thereof forthAct of Assembly August 6, 1575, Second Book   ith given to all concerned; but that, if the maof Discipline, chap. iii. pars. 4, 6, and 8, registratejor part of the said heads of families shall not
in the Assembly books, and appointed to be sub-disapprove of such person to be their pastor, the
scribed by all ministers, and ratified by Acts of Presbytery shall proceed with the settlement acParliament, and likewise by the Act of Assembly cording to the rules of the Church: And further
1638, December 17 and 18, and Assembly 1715, declare that no person shall be held to be entitled
act 9, that it is, and has been since the Reforma- to disapprove as aforesaid, who shall refse, if
tion, the principle of this Church,'that no min- required, solemnly to declare, in presence of the
ister be intruded into any parish contrary to the Presbytery, that he is actuated by no factious or
will of the congregation;' do therefore seriouslymalicious motive, but solely by a conscientious
recommend to all the judicatories of the Church, regard to the spiritual interest of himself or the
to have a due regard to the said principle in plant- congregation."
ing vacant congregations; and that all Presbyte-  It may be expedient to transcribe the usual
ries be at pains to bring about harmony and form of a Call.
unanimity in congregations, an   to avoid every  "We, the Heritors, Elders, Heads of Families,
thing that may excite or encourage unreasonable  and Parishioners of the Parish of -, within
exceptions in people against a worthy person that the bounds of the Presbytery of -, and
may be proposed to be their minister in the pres-  ounty of,taking into consideration the
ent situation and circumstances of the Church, present destitute state of the said Parish, through
so as none be intruded into such parishes, as they  the want of a Gospel ministry among us, occaregard the glory of God and edification of the sioned by the death of our late pastor, the Rev.
body of Christ."                            -      ---    being satisfied with the learning,
abilities, and other good qualifications of you,
At the same time the following instruction was Mr. --  -, Preacher of the Gospel, and
given to the Commission of that Assembly, and having heard you preach to our satisfaction and
repeated to every succeeding Commission till the edification, do hereby invite and call you, the
year 1784:-                                 said Mr., to take charge and over" And the Assembly do further empower and sight of this Parish, and to come and labour
direct the said Commission to make due applica- among us in the work of the Gospel ministry,
tion to the King and Parliament, for redress of hereby promising to you all due respect and enthe grievance of Patronage, in case a favourable couragement in the Lord. We likewise entreat
opportunity for so doing shall occur during the the Reverend Presbytery of --  to approve
subsistence of this Commission."            and concur with this our most cordial call, and
Extreme Moderate policy having reduced the to use all the proper means for making the same
constitutional principles of the Church and the effectual, by your ordination and settlement
rights of the people to a mere form, proposed in  among us, as soon as the steps necessary thereto
1782 to abolish the form itself, which still sur- will admit. In witness whereof, we subscribe
vived in the call. This attempt, however, was these presents, at the Church of-, on the
resisted, and the following act was passed:-  -   day of, ----  years."




492                                   APPENDIX.
That a document of such a solemn character  3d, That the said civil courts have power to
should be held to be sufficiently subscribed by suspend spiritual censures pronounced by the
the signatures of one or two persons; and that a Church courts of the Establishment against minchurch court would proceed to intrude a person isters and probationers of the Church, and to inwhocould obtain but one or two signatures, upon  terdict their execution, as to spiritual effects,
a whole parish and congregation, in spite of their functions, and privileges.
respectful, and finally of their determined opposi-  4/,. That the said civil courts have power to
tion, even at the hazard of compelling them all to reduce and set aside the sentences of the Church
quit forever the Church of their fathers, is so courts of the Establishment, deposing ministers
strangely unnatural, oppressive, and contrary to from the office of the holy ministry, and deprivboth reason and religion, that it would not readily ing probationers of their license to preach the
be thought possible, if it did not stand recorded gospel, with refererence to the spiritual status,
as having actually taken place times innumerable, functions, and privileges of such ministers and
and if Auchterarder, Lethendy, and Marnoch probationers,-restoring them  to the spiritual
could be forgotten.  Still more portentously office and status of which the Church courts had
strange will it be, if the majority of the Evangel- deprived them.
ical ministers in the Church of Scotland be driven  5th, That the said civil courts have power.to
out of the Church, because they will not consent determine on the right to sit as members of the
to become bound to perpetrate such atrocious supreme and other judicatories of the Church by
tyranny and profanation at the command of a law established, and to issue interdicts against
civil court, although contrary to the principles of sitting and voting therein, irrespective of the
the Church, contrary to the law of the land, con- judgment and determination of the said judicatrary to the British Constitution, and contrary to tories.
the precepts of the Lord Jesus Christ.        6tA, That the said civil courts have power to
supersede the majority of a Church court of the
Establishment, in regard to the exercise of its
spiritual functions as a Church court, and to authorise the minority to exercise the said functions,
No. IV.                    in opposition to the court itself, and to the superior judicatories of the Establishment.
THET PR~OTEST.           7/th, That the said civil courts have power to.in~THE PROTEST. jstay processes of discipline pending before courts
We, the undersigned ministers and elders, of the Church by law established, and to interdict
chosen as commissioners to the General Assem- such courts from proceeding therein
bly of the Church of Scotland, indicted to meet  8th, That no pastor of a congregation can be
this day, but precluded from holding the said As- admitted into the Church courts of the Establishsembly by reason of the circumstances hereinafter ment, and allowed to rule, as well as to teach,
set forth, in consequence of which a free Assem- agreeable to the institution of the office by the
bly of the Church of Scotland, in accordance Head of the Church, nor to sit in any of the judiwith the laws and constitution of the said Church, catories of the Church, inferior or supreme, and
cannot at this time be holden,-considering that that no additional provision can be made for the
the Legislature, by their rejection of the Claim  exercise of spiritual discipline among members of
of Right adopted by the last General Assembly the Church, though not affecting any patrimonial
of the said Church, and their refusal to give re- interests, and no alteration introduced in the
dress and protection against the jurisdiction as- state of pastoral superintendence and spiritual
sumed, and the coercion of late repeatedly at- discipline in any parish, without the coercion of
tempted to be exercised over the courts of the a civil court.
Church in matters spiritual by the civil courts,  All which jurisdiction and power on the part
have recognised and fixed the conditions of the of the said civil courts severally above specified,
Church Establishment, as henceforward to sub- whatever proceeding may have given occasion to
sist in Scotland, to be such as these have been its exercise, is, in our opinion, in itself inconsistpronounced and declared by the said civil courts ent with Christian liberty,-with the authority
in their several recent decisions, in regard to mat- which the Head of the Church hath' conferred on
ters spiritual and ecclesiastical, whereby it has the Church alone.
been inter alia declared,-                    And further, considering that a General As1st, That the courts of the Church as now es- sembly, composed, in accordance with the laws
tablished, and members thereof, are liable to be and fundamental principles of the Church, in
coerced by the civil courts in the exercise of their part of commissioners, themselves admitted withspiritual functions; and in particular, in their out the sanction of the civil court, or chosen by
admission to the office of the holy ministry, and presbyteries, composed in part of members not
the constitution of the pastoral relation, and that having that sanction, cannot be constituted as an
they are subject to be compelled to intrude min- Assembly of the Establishment, without disregardisters on reclaiming congregations, in opposition ing the law and the legal conditions of the same,
io the fundamental principles of the Church, and as now fixed and declared:
their views of the Word of God, and to the liber-  And further, considering that such commisties of Christ's people.                    sioners as aforesaid would, as members of an As2d, That the said civil courts have power to in- sembly of the Establishment, be liable to be interterfere with, and interdict the preaching of the dieted from exercising their functions, and to be
gospel and administration ofordinances as author- subjected to civil coercion at the instance of any
ised and enjoined by the Church courts of the individual having interest who might apply to the
Establishment.                              civil courts for that purpose.




APPENDIX.                                    493
And considering, further, that civil coercion the Head of His Church, hath therein appointed
has already been in divers instances applied for distinct from the civil magistrate.
and used, whereby certain commissioners re-   And we further protest, that any Assembly
turned to the Assembly this day appointed to have constituted in submission to the conditions now
been holden, have been interdicted from claiming declared to be law, and under the civil coercion
their seats, and from sitting and voting therein;  which has been brought to bear in the election
and certain presbyteries have been, by interdicts of commissioners to the Assembly this day apdirected against the members, prevented from  pointed to have been holden, and on the commisfreely choosing commissioners to the said Assem- sioners chosen thereto, is not and shall not be
bly; whereby the freedom of such Assembly, and deemed a free and lawful Assembly of the Church
the liberty of election thereto has been forcibly of Scotland, according to the original and fundaobstructed and taken away.                  mental principles thereof, and that the Claim,
And further, considering that, in these circum- Declaration, and Protest, of the General Assemstances, a free Assembly of the Church of Scot- bly which convened at Edinburgh in May 1842,
land by law established cannot at this time be as the act of a free and lawful Assembly of tha
holden, and that any Assembly, in accordance said Church, shall be holden as setting forth the
with the fundamental principles of the Church, true constitution of the said Church; and that
cannot be constituted in connection with the the said Claim, along with the laws of the Church
State, without violating the conditions which now subsisting, shall in nowise be affected by
must. now, since the rejection by the Legislature whatsoever acts and proceedings of any Assemof the Church's Claim of Right, be held to be the bly constituted under the conditions now declared
conditions of the Establishment.            to be the law, and in submission to the coercion
And considering that, while heretofore, as mem- now imposed on the Establishment.
hers of Church judicatories ratified by law, and  And, finally, while firmly asserting the right
recognised by the Constitution of the kingdom, and duty of the civil magistrate, to maintain and
we held ourselves entitled and bound to exercise support an establishment of religion in accordand maintain the jurisdiction vested in these ju- ance with God's Word, and reserving to ourselves
dicatories with the sanction of the Constitution, and our successors to strive by all lawful means,
notwithstanding the decrees as to matters spiritual as opportunity shall in God's good providence be
and ecclesiastical of the civil courts, because we offered to secure the performance of this duty
could not see that the State had required sub- agreeably to the Scriptures, and an implement
mission thereto as a condition of the Establish- of the statutes of the kingdom of Scotland, and
ment, but, on the contrary, were satisfied that the the obligations of the Treaty of Union, as underState, by the acts of the Parliament of Scotland, stood by us and our ancestors, but acknowledgfor ever and unalterably secured to this nation by ing that we do not hold ourselves at liberty to
the Treaty of Union, had repudiated any power retain the benefits of the Establishment while we
in the civil courts to pronounce such decrees, we cannot comply with the conditions now to be
are now constrained to acknowledge it to be the deemed thereto attached-we protest, that in the
mind and will of the State, as recently declared, circumstances in which we are placed, it is and
that such submissions should and does form a shall be lawful for us and such other commiscondition of the Establishment, and of the pos- sioners chosen to the Assembly appointed to
session of the benefits thereof; and that, as we have been this day holden, as may concur with
cannot, without committing what we believe to us, to withdraw to a separate place of meeting,
be sin,-in opposition to God's law, in disregard for the purpose of taking steps for ourselves and
of the honour and authority of Christ's crown, all who adhere to us-maintaining with us the
and in violation of our own solemn vows,-com- Confession of Faith and Standards of the Church
ply with this condition; we cannot in conscience of Scotland, as heretofore understood-for sepcontinue connected with, and retain the benefits arating in an orderly way from the Establishment;
of, the Establishment, to which such condition is and thereupon adopting such measures as may
attached.                                   be competent to us, in humble dependence on
We, therefore, the ministers and elders afore- God's grace and the aid of the Holy Spirit, for
said, on this, the first occasion since the rejection the advancement of His glory, the extension of
by the Legislature of the Church's Claim of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, and the adRight, when the commissioners chosen from   ministration of the affairs of Christ's house, acthroughout the bounds of the Church to the cording to His Holy Word; and we do now
General Assembly appointed to have been this withdraw  accordingly, humbly and solemnly
day holden, are convened together, do protest acknowledging the hand of the Lord in the
that the conditions foresaid, while we deem them  things which have come upon us, because of our
contrary to, and subversive of, the settlement of manifold sins, and the sins of this Church and
Church government effected at the Revolution, nation; but at the same time, with an assured
and solemnly guaranteed by the Act of Security conviction, that we are not responsible for any
and Treaty of Union, are also at variance with consequences that may follow from this our enGod's Word, in opposition to the doctrines and forced separation from an Establishment which
fundamental principles of the Church of Scotland, we loved and prized-through interference with
inconsistent with the freedom essential to the conscience, the dishonour done to Christ's Crown,
right constitution of a Church of Christ, and in- and the rejection of his sole and supreme authorcompatible with the government which He, as ity as King in his Church.




494                                  APPENDIX.
No. V.                     justly entitled to expect the aid of Parliament in
removing any doubts which may have arisen
HER MAJESTY'S LETTER TO THE GEN- with respect to the right construction of the staERAL ASSEMBLY.                  tutes relating to the admission of ministers. You
may safely confide in the wisdom of Parliament;
VICTORIA R.                                 and we shall readily give our assent to any meaRight reverend and well-beloved! We greet sure which the Legislature may pass for the puryou well.                                   pose of securing to the people the full privilege
Faithful to the solemn engagement, which binds of objection, and to the Church judicatories the
us to maintain inviolate the Presbyterian Church exclusive right of judgment.
of Scotland in all its rights and privileges, we  There is another matter not less important, the
gladly renew the assurance, that we desire to ex- present position of ministers in unendowed distend to you the countenance and support which tricts. The law, as confirmed by a recent judgthe General Assembly has long received from our ment, has declared that new parishes cannot be
royal ancestors.                            created by the authority of the Church alone, and
In other circumstances. it might have sufficed that ministers placed in such districts are not ento adhere to the forms which have been generally titled to act in Church courts.
observed in our former communications to you,  If it shall appear that the efficiency of the
and to express our anxious hope that Christian Church is thereby impaired, and that the means
charity will, as heretofore, abound among you of extending her usefulness are curtailed, the law
and restrain all animosities; but in the present to which such effects are ascribed, may require
state of the Church, and adverting to the discus- re-consideration and amendment; but until it be
sions which of late have so unhappily disturbed so considered by the Legislature, and while it
its peace, we desire to address you with more remains unaltered, we are persuaded that it will
than usual earnestness and anxiety.         be implicitly obeyed by the General Assembly.
It behoves you to remember, that unity in the  You will deliberate on such of these matters
Church is the bond of peace; but that schism  as fall within your cognizance attentively and
and its pernicious effects may tend seriously to calmly; and we commend you to the guidance
endanger that religious Establishment from which of Divine Providence, praying that you may be
Scotland has derived inestimable benefits.  directed to the adoption of wise counsels, which
The faith of our crown is pledged to uphold shall promote the permanent interests and
you in the full enjoyment of every privilege honour of the Church, and the religious peace
which you can justly claim: but you will bear and moral welfare of our people.
in mind, that the rights and property of an Es-  We have again constituted and appointed our
tablished Church are conferred by law; it is by right-trusty and entirely beloved cousin, John
law that the Church of Scotland is united with Marquis of Bute, K. T., to be the representative
the State, and that her endowments are secured; of our royal person in this Assembly. And we
and the ministers of religion, claiming the sane- are certain that his prudence and approved merits,
tion of law in defence of their privileges, are and his tried attachment to the Church of Scotspecially bound by their sacred calling to be ex- land, will render him acceptable unto you in the
amples of obedience.                        execution of the duties of his high office.
The act ratifying the Confession of Faith, and  He possesses our full authority for the exercise
settling Presbyterian Church government in of our royal prerogative in all matters relating te
Scotland was adopted at the Union, and is now  the present Assembly, in which, in obedience tc
the act of the British Parliament. The settle- our instructions to him, he may be called upon
ment thus fixed cannot be annulled by the will to act for us in our behalf.
or declaration of any number of individuals:  We implore the blessing of God on your dethose who are dissatisfied with the terms of this liberations, trusting that He will overrule all
settlement, may renounce it for themselves; but events for the good of his Church, and for the
the union of the Church of Scotland with the spiritual welfare of the people committed to your
State is indissoluble while the statutes remain charge: and we feel assured that divine grace will
unrepealed  which recognise the Presbyterian not be withdrawn from the labours of the minisChurch as the Church established bylaw within ters of the Church established in this part of the
the kingdom of Scotland.                    United kingdom.
We cannot doubt, that your anxious consider-  And so we bid you heartily farewell.
ation will be given to various important matters  Given at our Court at St. James's the 15th
connected with the welfare of your Church,        day of May 1843, in the sixth year of our
which require immediate adjustment.               reign.
The Act of Assembly passed in the year 1834,        By her Majesty's command.
On the subject of calls, has come under the re-        (Signed)       JAMES GRAHAM.
view of competent tribunals; and various proceedings taken in pursuance of this act have
been pronounced by solemn judgments to be illegal.
It has not yet been rescinded by the Assembly;
and a conflict of authority between the law of               No. VI.
the land and an act of the Church, in a matter
where civil rights and civil jurisdiction are con- ACT OF SEPARATION  AND   DEED    OF
cerned, cannot be prolonged without injurious              DEMISSION.
consequences.
The Church of Scotland. occupying its- true  The ministers and elders subscribing the Proeosition in friendly alliance with the State, is test made on Thursday, the eighteenth of this




APPENDIX.                                      495
instant May, at the Meeting of the Commission- foresaid and their congregations. And further,
ers chosen to the General Assembly, appointed  the said ministers and elders in this their General
to have been that day holden, against the freedom  Assembly convened, while they refuse to acand lawfulness of any Assenibly which might knowledge the supreme ecclesiastical judicatory
then be constituted, and against the subversion established by law in Scotland, and now holding
recently effected in the constitution of the Church its sittings in Edinburgh, to be a free Assembly
of Scotland, together with the ministers and el- of the Church of Scotland, or a lawful Assembly
ders adhering to the said Protest, in this their of the said Church, according to the true and
General Assembly convened, did, in prosecution original constitution thereof, and disclaim its auof the said' Protest, and of the Claim of Right thority as to matters spiritual; yet in respect of
adopted by the General Assembly, which met at the recognition given to it by. the State, and the
Edinburgh in May eighteen hundred and forty- powers in consequence of such recognition betwo years, and on the grounds therein set forth, longing to it, with reference to the temporalities
and hereby do, for themselves and all who adhere of the Establishment, and the right derived
to them, separate from and abandon the present thereto from the State, hereby appoint a duplicate
subsisting Ecclesiastical Establishment in Scot- of this act to be subscribed by their moderator,
land, and did, and hereby do, abdicate and renounce and also by the several ministers, members of this
the status and privileges derived to them, or any Assembly, now present in Edinburgh, for their
of them, as parochial ministers or elders, from the individual interests, to be transmitted to the
said Establishment, through its connexion with clerk of the said ecclesiastical judicatory by law
the State, and all rightsand emoluments pertaining established, for the purpose of certiorating them,
to them, or any of them, by virtue hereof: De- that the benefices held by such of the said minclaring, that they hereby in no degree abandon isters, or others adhering to this Assembly, as
or impair the rights belonging to them as minis- were incumbents of benefices, are now vacant;
ters of Christ's gospel, and pastors and elders of and the said parties consent that the said beneparticular congregations, to perform freely and fices shall be dealt with as such. And they aufully the functions of their offices towards their thorize the Rev. Thomas Pitcairn and the Rev.
respective congregations, or such portions thereof Patrick Clason, conjunct clerks to this their Genas may adhere to them; and that they are and eral Assembly, to subscribe the joinings of the
shall be free to exercise government and discipline several sheets hereof; and they consent to the
in their several judicatories, separate from the registration hereof in the Books of Council and
Establishment, according to God's Word, and the Session, or others competent, therein to remain
constitution and Standards of the Chnrch of for preservation; and for that purpose constitute
Scotland, as heretofore understood; and that
henceforth they are not, and shall not, be subject                       their procurators,
in any respect to the ecclesiastical judicatories &c. In testimony whereof, these presents, writestablished in Scotland by law; reserving always ten upon stamped paper by William Petrie Couper,
the rights and benefits accruing to them, or any clerk to James Crawford, junior, writer to the
of them, under the Provision oT the statutes re- Signet, are, with a duplicate thereof, subscribed
specting the Ministers' Widows' Fund: And fur- by the whole parties in general meeting assemther, declaring that this present act shall noways bled, and the joinings of the several sheets by
be held as a renunciation on the part of such of the saids Rev. Thomas Pitcairn and Rev. Patrick
the ministers foresaid as are ministers of churches Clason, as authorised as aforesaid, all at Edinbuilt by private contribution, and not provided or burgh, the twenty-third day of May, one thouendowed by the State, of any rights which may sand eight hundred and forty-three years, before
be found to belong to them, or their congregations, these witnesses,-Mr. John Hamilton, advocate,
in regard to the same, by virtue of the intentions William Fraser, writer to the Signet; John Hunand destination of the contributors to the erection ter, junior, writer to the Signet; and the Rev.
of the said churches, or otherwise, according to John Jaffray, preacher of the Gospel, and secre.
th w; all which are fully reserved to the ministers tary to the Provisional Committee, Edinburgh.




INDEX.
ABERDEEN, prcrogued Assembly of, p. 120. Doctors   imposed upon the Church of Scotland by Charles II.,
of, oppose the Covenant, 157. The Covenant forced  215. The order abolished in Scotland finally, 298.
upon, by Montrose, 175. Synod of, indicates prelatic  Black, David, tried'by the King, on account of language
tendencies, 212.                                  uttered in his sermons, 107., first Earl of, made Chancellor by the Duke  Blackadder, John, holds a great field-meeting at Beath,
of York, 267.                                     238.
-, Earl of, his Bill, 411. Assertion at its pro- Blair, Robert, obliged to retire to Ireland, 130. Goes
posed reintroduction, 461. Passed into law, 467.  to London as a Commissioner, 182.
Abjuration Oath, 329, 336.                            - Dr. Hugh, defends Hume's infidel writings, 364.
Acts of Parliament and of Assembly, see Appendix. "Bloody Act," the, 275.
The Black Acts, 90                              Boston, Rev. Thomas, recommends the Marrow of
Adamson, Patrick, his opinion of bishops, 76. Accepts  Modern Divinity, 342. One of the twelve Marrowthe Archbishopric of St. Andrews, 79. Excommuni-  men, 345. Treatment of him by the growing Modecated by the Synod of Fife, 91. Supported by Mel-  rate party, 347. Protests alone against the simple
ville, and dies, 93.                              suspension of Professor Simson, 348.
Allegiance, Oath of, establishing the King's Suprem- Bothwell Bridge, battle of, 255. Treatment of the prisacy, 209.                                         oners taken at, 256.
Andrews, St. Castle of, held by the conspirators against Breda, treaty of, 198.
Beaton, 32. Taken, 35.                          Brown, Rev. John, of Wamphray, his works burned,
----- -, town of, scene of the martyrdom of Wishart,  233.
32. Knox preaches in, 45.                       ---, John, of Priesthill, murdered by Claverhouse,
Apocrypha Controversy, the, 390.                    280.
Apologetical Declaration, the, its remarkable language, Bruce, Robert, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, apl
274.                                              pointed a privy councillor, 93. The King's expresArgyle, Earl of, supports the Reformers, 37. Sub-   sion of gratitude to, 93. Supports David Black, 109
scribes the Covenant, 38.                         Banished, 116. Permitted to reside at Inverness, 128
--   -, Earl of, remains in the Glasgow Assembly, 169.  His influence among young ministers, 136.
His imprisonment, trial, and execution, 212, 213.  Burnet, Gilbert, his character of the prelatic party in
--  Earl of, takes the Test with a qualification, for  Scotland, 220. Assists Leighton in his attempted acwhich he is tried and condemned, 264. But escapes,  commodation, 239.
265. Returns and attempts a revolution, but is de- Burnet, Alexander, procures the Act of Glasgow, 219.
feated and taken, 277. His trial and death, 278, 279.  Opposes the Indulgence, 237.
Arminianism introduced by the Prelates, 137. Begins Burns, Robert, the poet, misled by the New Lights, 378.
to infect the Church after the Revolution, 327. Increasing progress of, 341. Degenerates into Socin- CALDERWOOD, David, banished by King James. 124.
ianism. 367, 378.                               Call, attempted to be abolished by Dr. Hill, 374. Dr.
Arran, Regent after the death of James V., favourable  Cook's theory respecting the, 374.
to the Retormation, 29. Enters into the schemes of  Cameron, the Rev. Richard, acknowledged and folCardinal Beaton, 29.                              lowed by the strict Covenanters, who, from his
--, Earl of, son to the Regent, joins the Reform-  name, are sometimes called Cameronians, 257. Killed
ers, 46.                                          at the skirmish at Airdsmoss, 260.
Assembly, General. of the Church of Scotland, meet- Cameronians, their conduct at the Revolution, 291.
ing of the first, 52. Suppressed by King James, 125.  Their petition, 296. Conduct towards the Church. 307.
Resumes its meetings at the Second Reformation, Canons, Book of, ordered to be received in Scotland, 142.
166. Again suppressed by Cromwell, 202. Meeting  Cargill, the Rev. Donald, becomes a leader of the strict
of first, after the Revolution, 303. Attempt of King  Covenanters, 254. Pronounces the Torwood excomWilliam to suppress it, 308. Termination of the con-  munication, 260. Reasons with the Gibbites, 261.
test. 311, 312. Renewed attempt to interfere with  His death, 263.
its liberties, 318. These liberties fully asserted and  Carstares, the Rev. William, his trial and torture, 271.
maintained, 318.                                  His character and views, 300. His advice to King
----- ~- the First, of the Free Church of Scotland,  William, 304. Remarkable interview between him
464, 465. The First, of the Erastianized Establish-  and the king, 311.
ment, its proceedings, 466.                     Cess, the, imposed on the Presbyterians, 248  Its conAuchterarder Creed, 340-343.                        sequences. 248.
-- Case, the, proceedings in, 401. Decision  Cessnock, Sir Hugh Campbell of, his trial, 270.
of the Second Appeal in, 443. Its Effects, 444.  Chalmers, Dr., his address to the parishioners of KilAyr, Dr. M'Gill of, tried for Socinianism, 378.     many, 388.
Charles I., succeeds his father, 132; equally hostile to
BAITLIE, Robert, joins the Covenanters, 150. One of  the Church. Attempts to resume the crown and
the Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly,182.  church lands, 132. Visits Scotland, 138. Condutct
Baillie of Jerviswood, his trial and execution, 272.  there, 139. Guileful instructions of, to Hamilton, 168.
Balmerino, Lord, trial of, 141.                     Resolves to make war upon the Covenawnters, 172.
Bannatyne, Sir William, the atrocious conduct of, 232.  Enters into treaty with them at Dunse Iaw, 177.
Bass, the island or rock of the. made a state prison, 240.  Renews his preparations for war, 179. His last visit
Beaton, Cardinal, account of him, 28. Assassinated, 33.  to Scotland, 184. Retires to the army of the CoveBishops, tulchan, meaning of the word, and object for  nanters, 192. Correspondence with Henderson, 192.
which they were appointed, 76. The office of, con-  Returns to the English, 193. Forms an engtagement
demned by the Assembly, 81. Restored by King      with the Hamiltons, 193. His decapitation, 19.
James, 111, 147. Their tyrannical conduct, 128-131. Charles II. proclaimed King, 196  Subscribes the DeImpetuosity of the young, 137. Deposed, 170. Re-  claration of Dunfermline, 198. Swears the National




INDEX.                                           497
Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant, and is   the Privy Council, 53. General outline of its princicrowned at Scone, 200. Defeated at Wi rcester, 201.  ples and arrangements, 54-57.
His Restoration, 205. Gives orders for the Establish  -- -—, Second Book of, laid before the King and
ment of Prelacy in Scotland, 216. His remark upon  the Privy Council. 80. Sanctioned by the General
the conduct of Lauderdale, 257. Death and charac-  Assembly, and engrossed in its records, 83. Sum.
ter, 277.                                         mary of the, 83-85.
Christianity, when introduced into Scotland, 9.   Doctrine, Act for preserving purity of, 326. Cause and
Church of Scotland, maintains its independence against  object of this act, 326.
the encroachments of England, 17. Reformation of, Douglas, John, appointed to the Archbishopric of St.
recognised by Parliament, 50. First Confession of  Andrews by Morton, 73, 74.
Faith of the, 50. First General Assembly of, 52. --, Robert, supports the Resolutioners,203. CorPatrimony of the, seized by the nobles, 57, 61. Es-  respondence with Sharp, 206. Interview between
tablished by Act of Parliament, 69. Eulogium pro-  him and Sharp, 215. His opinion of the Protesters, 216.
nounced upon, by King James, 93. Great charter of, Drumclog, Battle of, 253.
granted by Parliament, 94. Contest between the   Dunnottar Castle, dreadful state of the prisoners conKing and the, in the case of Black, 107. State of,  fined in, 282.
during the contests between the Resolutioners and
the Protesters, 202. Overthrown by the Act Recis- ECCLESIASTICAL Characteristics, Witherspoon's, 364.
sory and the Glasgow Act, 210, 219. Re-established  Eldership, corruption of the, under Moderatism, 365.
at the Revolution, 298, 302. Confirmed by the Act Election of Ministers, Directory for the, 196. See also
of Security, 319. State of, in 1842,424. Preparations  Appendix.
for a disruption of, 459. State of. at meeting of As- Engagement, the, between the King and Hamilton, 193.
sembly 1843, 460. DISRUPTION of, 463. THE FRaEE,  Causes a division among the Covenanters, 194. Con464. Proceedings of its First General Assembly, 464,  demned by the Assembly, 194.
465.                                            Enterkin, pass of, rescue of a minister and prisoners at
Claim of Right, 296.                                the, 273. 
Claim of Rights, and Declaration, 431.            Erskine, John, of Dun, subscribes the Covenant, 38.
Classes, Act of, passed by the parliament, 195. Re-  Correspondence with the Earl of Mar, 74.
scinded by the parliament, which gave rise to the  -—, Lord, joins the Covenanters, 169.
dissensions between Resolutioners and Protesters, —-, Colonel, of Cardross, memorial presented by
200.                                              him to Government, 343.
Commission of the General Assembly, the first, 184. ---, Rev. Ebenezer, dissents from the innovations
Opposes the engagement, 194.                      of the Moderates, 351. fis Synod Sermon, 351. ProCommissioners to the Westminster Assembly of Di-    tests against the conduct of the Assembly, and is
vines, 188.                                       joined by other ministers, 351. Is suspended by the
Commission of Assembly, its petition rejected by the  Commission, and secedes friom " the prevailing party
House of Commons, 458.                            in the Church," 352. Deposed, 354.
Committee, the Provisional, its object and arrange.
ments, 456, 457.                                FAITH, the Church of Scotland's First Confession of,
Comprehension Scheme, policy of King William in de-  50. Westminster Assembly's Confession of, received
vising the, 298, 301. Evil consequences produced by  and ratified by the General Assembly, 193. Ratified
it, 305, 308, 323, 383.                           and embodied in the Act of Parliament 1690. re-estabConformity of Church Government, argument for,      lishing the Church of Scotland, 302. The Moderate
182.                                              party wish the subscription of. abolished, 372. In.
Congregation, Lords of the, origin of the term, 38.  stance of a minister ordained without signing the, 377.
Conventicles, act against the, 226.               Field-meetings, the origin of, 221. First at which arms
Convocation, held in Edinburgh, 448. Its proceedings,  for self-defence appeared, 238.
449. Remarks on, 450, 451.                      Forrest, Dean Thomas, his singular conversation with
Covenant, the First, subscribed at Edinburgh, 38.   the bishop of Dunkeld; suffers martyrdom along
----, Cthe Second, subscribed at Perth, 44.    with four others, 27.
--    —, National, signed in the Greyfriars' Churchyard, Edinburgh, 155. Renewed at Lanark, 228.   GIBBITES, the, 261.
----, Solemn League and, subscribed, 186. Its Gillespie, George, his character, 182. A Commissioner
character, 187,188. Signed by Charles II., 200. Con-  to the Westminster Assembly, 188. His writings,
demned by Middleton's parliament, 210.            193. His death, 197.
— raw, Paul, a Bohemian, martyred at St. Andrews, 22. - -, Patrick,'his character, 197, 214. Requests
Covenanters, prepare to act on the defensive, 173.  Charles II. not to subscribe the Covenant,, 198.
Army of the, at Dunse Law, 176. Resolve to cross  Writes the Remonstrance, 200. Favoured by Cromthe Tweed and enter England, 181.    Enter into   well, 202. Spared, 214.
treaty with the English parliament, 191. Receive-     -, the Rev. Thomas, of Carnock, deposed, 360.
Charles, 192. Are obliged to abandon his defence,  He founds the Relief Secession, 367.
193. Remonstrate against his trial, 196. Proclaim  Glasgow, Assembly of, called the Anrgelical Assembly,
Charles II. King, 196. Character of, 243. Petition  12T. Reforming Assembly at, 167-170.
of, 296.                                        -     -, Act of, expelled nearly four hundred minisCraig, William, rejected by the Presbytery of Auchte-  ters, 219. Character of the Prelatic party introduced
rarder, 340.                                      by the, 220., Francis, his settlement at Kinross opposed, be- Glencairn, Earl of, supports the Reformers, 38.
cause he favoured the Marrow, 350.              Graham, James, of Claverhouse, begins his cruelties
Cromwell, defeats Leslie at Dunbar, 199. Suppresses  against the Covenanters, 248. Defeated at Drum.
the Assembly, 202. Favours the Protesters, 202.   clog, 253. His conduct at and after the battle of
Culdees, meaning of the name, 11. Their Abbey at    Bothwell Bridge, 255. His increased cruelties, 279.
lona, 12. Their form of Church Government, 12.    His murderofJohnBrown, 280; andofAndiew HisTeach Christianity to the Saxons, 12. Encountered  lop, 280.
by Augustine the Monk, 13. Struggle between them  --  -, Sir James, his Letter, and the Commission's
and Popish Prelacy, 14. Their final suppression, 15.  Answer, 453, 454. See Appendix.
Doctrines of the Culdees, 15.                   Greenshield's, the Liturgy reintroduced by him, 327.
Culsalmond, case of, 423.                         Guthrie, James, of Stirling, deposed by the Resolution.
ers. 201. Imprisoned, 208. His trial and executionh
DALZIEL, Sir James, of Binns, takes command of the  213, 214.
army against the insurgents, 227. Cruelties perpetrated by him, 232.                             HACKSTON, David, of Rathillet, present at the assassiDarnley, Lord, comes to Scotland, 65. Married to the  nation of Sharp, 251. A leader of the Covenanters at
Queen, 65. Murdered, 69.                          Drumclog, 253: and Bothwell Bridge. 255. Taken at
Davidson, John, proposes National Confession in the  Airdsmoss, 260. Barbarously executed, 260.
Assembly of 1596, 102.                          Haddow, Principal, his conduct towards Iamilton of
Debate on Christian missions to the heathen, singular  Airth, 326. And in the case of Professor Simson,
arguments of the Moderates in the, 379.           337-339, Assails the Marrow, 344.
Demission, Deed of, signed, 465. See Appendix.    Hall, IHenry, of I-Taughhead, a leader of the Covenant.
Dickson, David, Revival of religion under his ministry,  ers at Drumclog, 253. Killed at Queensferry, 258.
135. Supports the Resolutioners, 200. His final H-amilton, Patrick. the first Scottish martyr, an account
opinion of the Protesters, 216.                   of him, 24. Decoyed to St. Andrews and tried fof
Discipline, First Book of, prepared and subscribed by  heresy, 25. Burned at the stake, 26.




198                                         INDEX.
----, Marquis of, appointed Lord High Commis- Lauderdale, Earl of, appointed Secretary of State for
missioner, 159. Guileful instructions given to him by  Scotland, 208. Assumes the chief management of
Charles, 160. Proceedings between him and the     affairs in Scotland, 222. His final loss of power, and
Covenanters, 160-162. Frames an engagement with   the King's remark upon his conduct, 257.
Charles, 193. Leads an army into England, is de- Lawburrows, writ of, 247.
feated, and executed, 195.                      Leighton, Robert, made a bishop by Charles I1., 215.
-, Robert, a leader among the Covenanters, 252.  Attempts an accommodation, 2.39.
Hardy, Dr. Thomas, an Evangelical Moderate, his pam- Leith, held by a French garrison, 46. Besieged, -4.
phlet, 375.                                       Surrendered, 49. Convention of, 75.
Harvey, Marion, and Isabel Alison, executed for atten- Lennox, Earl of, appointed Regent, 72. Killed, 74.
ding field-preaching, 261.                      Leslie, General, appointed to command the army of the
Henderson, Alexander, comes to Edinburgh to petition  Covenanters, 166. Is defeated by Cromwell, 199,
against the Liturgy, 148. Frames a complaint against Letheidy, case of, 405. Action of damages, 459.
the Liturgy and Canons, 150. Assists in framing the Light, the New, or Socinian Party, 377. Their influNational Covenant, 154.  Goes to Aberdeen, 163.   ence on the mind of Burns, 378.
Commissioner to the Westminster Assembly, 183. Liberum Arbitrium, negociations concerning the, 422.
His correspondence with the King, 192. Ilis death, 192.  Rejected, 434.
High Commission, Court of, instituted; its tyrannical Lindsay, Secretary, his scheme respecting the patricharacter, 123. Despotic procedure, 128, 129. Re-  mony of the Church, 103.
newed, 224. Its despotic proceedings, 225.       Linlithgow, Assembly of, where bishops were made
Hill, Dr. George, of St. Andrews, succeeds Principal  constant Moderators, 122.
Roberstson as Moderate leader, 373.              Liturgy, riot at the attempted introduction of the, 146.
-, Rowland, his opinion of Moderatism, 382.      Re-introduction by the Prelatists, 327.
Hislop, Andrew, murdered at the command of Claver- Livingstone, John, remarkable religious revival accomhouse, 280.                                       panying his preaching, 136. One of the CommissionHolland, resorted to by the Scottish ministers and stu-  ers to Breda, his opinion of Charles II., 198.
dents, 241.                                     Lockhart, George, of Carnwath, his schemes to over.
Host, the Highland, 246.                            throw the Church, 326, 330.
Hume, of Hume, his trial and execution, 268.      Lollards of Kyle, account of them, 24. Persecuted, 24.
Loudon, Earl of, assists at the framing of the Covenant,
INDIA Missions, the Church of Scotland's, 389.      154. Committed to the Tower by the King, 179.
Indulgence, the first, 235. Its effects, 236. The second,
241. Its effects, 241.                           MCRIE, Dr., publishes the Life of Knox, 387.
-    ---—, King James' first, 286. Second and third, M'Kail, Hugh, his trial, torture, and execution, 231.
286. Its objects and results, 287.               M'Kenzie, Sir George, Lord Advocate, and a violent
Informatory Vindication, the, 287.                  persecutor, 249. Excommunicated by Cargill, 260.
Intercommuning, letters of, 244.                  Macmillan, Rev. John, joins the strict Covenanters, and
Intrusion into kirks, act anent: cause and explanation  becomes their minister, 335.
of the, 312.                                     Maitland, William, of Lethington, scoffs at the Propo---      of ministers into vacant congregations, act  sals of the Reformers, 50, 60. Joins the Queen's
against, 353, and Appendix.                       Party and the Hamiltons, 72.
Inverkeillor, case of, 447.                       Marnoch, Case of, 407.
Ireland, Robert Blair and others retire to, 130. Sym- Marrow of Modern Divinity, recommended by Boston
pathy with the sufferings of the Presbyterians of,  and Hog, 342. Republished, 342. Assailed by Prinmanifested by the General Assembly, 185.          cipal Haddow, 344. Condemned by the Assembly,
345. The twelve Marrow men, 345.
JAMES V., general character of his reign, 28.     Mary of Guise, widow of James V., becomes Queen-  VI. assumes the full sovereignty, 80. He and  Regent, 35. Hostilitiesbetween her and the Protesthis favourites begin a series of intrigues against the  ants, 40. Has recourse to arms, 44. Suspended by
Church, 85.  Supports Robert Montgomery, 86.      the Convention, 47. Dies, 49.
Passes the Black Acts, 90. Eulogizes the Church, 93. Mary, Queen of Scots, married to the Dauphin of
Assails the Church in the case of Black, 107. At-  France, 35. Lands at Leith, 58. Favours Popery,
tempts to vitiate the Assembly, 110. Partially snc-  58. Interview with Knox, 59. Married to Darnley,
ceeds, 110. Proposes that ministers should sit in Par-  65. Accused of his murder, 69.
liament, 112.  Appoints bishops, 115.  Banishes Melville, Andrew, comes to Scotland, 78. His inter.
Robert Bruce, 116. Succeeds to the Crown of Eng-  view with Morton, 79. Interview with the King, 87.
land. 118. Prorogues the General Assembly, 119.   Assistance given by him to the King against the
Banishes Melville, 122. His tyrannical proceedings  Popish Lords, 102. His remarkable address to the
against the Church, 122,123. His death and charac-  King, 105. Banished, 122.
ter, 131.                                       Memorial against Patronage, 333.
--    VII. ascends the throne, 277. His first Scottish  Middleton, Earl of, appointed Commissioner,208. ParParliament, and its proceedings, 277. Grants tolera-  liament held by him, and its acts, 209. And charaction to the Papists by his own authority, 277. His  ter, 210. His last proceedings, 212. His loss of
first Indulgence, 286. Second and third, 286. Effects  power, 222.
of the third Indulgence, 287.                    Middle-Party, rise of, 424.
Johnston, Archilaldl, of Warriston, assists in framing  Mill, Walter, suffers at the stake, the last martyr of the
the Covenant, 154. Suffers martyrdom, 223.         Reformation, 39.
Jurisdiction of the Church in spiritual matters, and over Missions, Christian, to the IIeathen, condemned by the
its own members, and right to try their conduct, and  Moderates, 380.
to exercise discipline, 73. Contested by the King, Mitchell, James, attempts to assassinate Sharp, 234.
88, 106. Admitted by the Civil Courts, 359.       His trial, and torture, and execution, 249.
Moderatism, its beginning traced to the Indulgence,
KENNEDY, of Ayr, suffers martyrdom, 27.             285. Greatly aurgmented by the Comprehension
King and Kid, Rev. Messrs., executed after the Battle  Scheme of King William, 305. Its tendency to Arof Bothwell Bridge, 256.                          minianism. 327. Unfaithfulness in cases of heresy,
Kingsbarns, parish of, held by Dr. Arnot, Professor of  340, 348. Opposition to the doctrine of free grace,
Theology in St. Andrews, 384.                     345. Support of patronage, and disregard of the peoKnox, John, the Scottish Refirmer, accompanies Wis-  pie, 341, 348. Germ of its policy in suppressing the
hart, 30. Enters into the Castle of St. Andrews, and  freedom of Church Courts, 349. Proposes and caris called to the ministry, 34. Argues with the Pa-  ries an innovation on the mode of settling ministers,
pists, 34. Confined to the galleys, 35. Released and  350. Temporary loss of power, 352. Recovery of
resides on the Continent, 35. Returns to Scotland,  it, 355. Proposes an augmentation of stipend, but is
36. Departs again to Geneva, 37. Returns finally to  defeated, 359. Moderate Manifesto, 361. Admits a
Scotland, 42. Preaches at St. Andrews, 45. Defends  corrupt Eldership, 365. Leniency of, to immorality,
himself before the Queen in Council, 63. Opposes  370. Favours pluralities, 371. Attempts to abolish
the Tulchan Bishops, 76. His death, and eulogium  the subscription of the Confession of Faith, 372. Atpronounced by the Regent Morton, 77.              tempts to abolish the Call, 374. Rise of a tendency
to Evangelism among the Moderates, 375. Defends
LANARK, Declaration of, 265. Its tenor, 266.        Patronage absolute and unlimited, and rescinds the
Laud, Archbishop. his influence with Charles, urging  instructions of the Commission against, 376. Opthe introduction of Prelacy and Arminianism into  poses Missions to the Heathen, 379. Discourages
Scotland: 138.                                    Chapels of Ease, 381. Puts an end to Christian conn



INDEX.                                           499
munion with other Churches, 382. Discountenances QUEENSBERRY, Earl of, one of the Duke of York's ad.
Religious Societies and Sabbath Schools, 383. Gene-  ministration, 267. Commissioner in the prelatic par.
ral view of Moderatism as a system, 383. Symptoms  liament, 277.
of its decline, 384. Defeated in the Leslie case, 385. Queensferry paper, the, its general tenor, 258.
Internal disunion, 386. Recent conduct of, see the
Auchterarder, Lethendy, and Marnoch cases.      RABBLING Act, the first, 314. The second, its causes,
Monastery of the Carthusian friars at Perth demolish-  337.
ed, 43. General demolition of, 45.              Recissory Act, annulling all acts of parliament from
Monmouth, Duke of, commands the King's army at      1633 to 1661, 210.
Bothwell Bridge, 253.                           Reformation begun in Scotland, 23. Confirmed by parMontgomery, Robert, accepts a bishopric, 86. Contest  liament, 50. Finally ratified, 69.
between him and the Church, 86. Submits, 88.    --      -, the Second, account of it, 171.
Montrose, Earl of, supports the Covenanters. His con- Renwick, the Rev. James, joins the Society People, or
duct at Aberdeen, 175. Joins the King, 178. Is de-  Covenanters, and continues field-preaching, 269.
feated by Leslie, 191.                            Seized, 288. His trial, death, and character, 289.
Monzie, Campbell of, his Bill, discussion on, prevented, Resby, John, suffers martyrdom, 22.
440.                                            Resolutioners support the rescinding of the Act of
Morton, Earl of, subscribes the Covenant, 38. Devises  Classes, 199. Generally guided by expediency, 200.
schemes for defrauding the Church, 73. Appoints   Contests of the, with the Protesters, weakening the
John Douglass to the Archbishopric of St. Andrews,  Church, 201.
73. Appointed Regent, 77. His eulogium over the Revivals of religion, 103. At Stewarton, 135. Shotts,
grave of Knox, 77. Enters into a series of contests  136. Cambuslang and Kilsyth, 356. Again at Kilsyth
with the Church, 77. His interview with Melville,  and other places, 410.
79. Resigns the Regency, 80. His fall and execu- Revolution, the, 289. Conduct of the Covenanters at,
tion, 82.                                         290.
Murray, Earl of, favours the Reformation, 36. Nego —-      - Settlement, state of the Church at the time
ciates between the Queen-Regent and the Congrega-  of the, 298. General character of the, 305.
tion, 44. Joins the Reformers and subscribes the Se- Rhyme, Church built at, in one day, 435.
cond Covenant, 44.   Raised to the Regency, 69. Riding Committee, first instance of the, 341. Second
Assassinated by Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh at Lin-  instance, 349. Last instance, 360.
lithgow, 72.                                    Rizzio, David, assassinated, 68. Note respecting his
assassination, Appendix.
NEILSON, John, of Corsack, tortured and executed, 230. Robertson, Principal, his Manifesto, 361. His policy
Neonomians, the, a party of Semi-Arominians, 341.   and character, 367.
Non-residence, such a plurality of offices as to cause, Rothes, Earl of, his opinion of the prelatic attempts,
prohibited, 387.                                  150. Supports the Covenanters, 155.
-, Earl and Duke of, son of the former, joins LauOCHILTREE, Lord, subscribes the Second Covenant, 44.  derdale, 222. His death, 260.
Opposes the Five Articles of Perth, 125.        Rough, John, preaches in the Castle of St. Andrews,
Ormiston, Laird of, Wishart seized forcibly in his  assisted by Knox, 34.
house, 30.                                      Rullion Green, battle of, 229.
Rutherford, Samuel, banished to Aberdeen, 143. His
PALLADIUS sent from Rome to Scotland, 10. Died at   death, 214.
Fordoun, 11.                                    Rutherglen Declaration, 252.
Paton, Captain John, his trial and execution, 271.  Ruthven, Raid of, 88. Sanctioned, then condemned,
Patrick, St., form of Church Government introduced  by the King, 88.
by him into Ireland, 11.' atronage, its introduction into Scotland, 23. Discus- SANDILANDS, Sir James, preceptor of Torphichen, joins
sion with the Queen respecting, 67. Unjustly given  the Reformers, 36. Sent to France to negociate with,o the Titular Lords, 92. Abolished by Act of Parlia-  the Queen, 51.
ment, 196. Re-imposed after the Restoration, 210. Sanquhar Declaration, the, its object and tenor, 258.
Again abolished at the Revolution, 303. Re-imposed, Saturday, Black 126.
380  Still invalid, 330. Professor Hutcheson's con- Schism, Overtures respecting, and debate, 368.
siderations on, 370. Address by General Assembly  Schismatical procedure of the Moderate Party, 455.
for its abolition. 430.                           456, 457.
Peace, Bond of, 233.                              Schools, system of parochial, proposed by the Reform,
Peden, Alexander, confined in the Bass, 242. His    ers, 55. Secured at the Second Reformation, 170
death, 285.                                       Again after the Revolution, 314. Deficiency of, in the
Pentland, rising of, its origin, 226. Defeated at Rullion  Highlands, 366.
Green, 229. Sufferings after the, 229.          Scotland, state of religion in, before the Reformation, 18.
People of Scotland, their deep interest in religious mat- Seaton, Alexander, a Domin~.an Friar, adopts the docters, 357.                                        trines of the Reformation, 26.
Persecution of the Church of Scotland, beginning of the, Secession, rise of the First, 352. Rise of the Second, 361.
208. Termination of the, 291. General summary of  Security, Act of, the basis of the Union, 320. Violated
the effects of, during twenty-eight years, 291.   by the Patronage Act, 330. Remarks regarding this
Perth, tumult at, and destruction of the Carthusian  unconstitutional violation, 330, 331.
Monastery, 43. The Second Covenant subscribed at, Session, Court of, first contest with the Church of
44. Five; Articles of, 125.                       Scotland, 93.
Pluralities finally prohibited, 389.              Settlement of a minister without the concurrence of
Policy of the Stuart family, ruling principles of the,  the people, the first, 340. The first against the dis291.                                              sent, 348.
Poor, state of the, in Scotland at the Revolution, 315. Sharp, James, sent to London, 205. His character, 205.
Efforts of the Church to relieve the, 324. Effectual  Correspondence with Douglass, 206. Interview betill the increase of the Secession, 367.          tween him and Douglass, 215. Assassinated, 251.
Prayer, private meetings for, opposed by Henry Guth- Shields, Rev. Alexander, joins Renwick, 285. Mainry, 181. Permitted by Assembly, 183.              tains field-preaching afrer Renwick's death, 289.
Preamble of the Patronage Act, falsehood of the,    Received into the Church by the General Assembly,
proved, 332.                                      304.
Prelacy deceptively introduced into the Scottish Church  Shotts, Kirk of. remarkable revival of religion at the,
by Morton, 73. By James, 111. Abolished by the    136.
General Assembly, 170. Re-introduced by Charles Simson, Professor, accused of heresy, 337, 340. Again
11, 215. Character of the curates, 220. Their con-  accused, 348. Suspended, 348.
duct during the persecution, 224-258. Abolished at Society People, a name given to the Covenanters, 266.
the Revolution, 298.                            Spence, William, his trial and torture, 271.
Presbyteries, first erection of, 82.              Spotswood, John, ore of the Reformers, made superinPresentation, the first, received after the Patronage  tendent of Lothian, 52.
Act, repelled, 337.                            --   --, John, his son, joins in the King's intrigues
Protest, the, of the Evangelical and Free Church of  against the Church, 110. Made Archbishop and a
Scotland, 462. See Appendix.                      Lord of Session, 123. Made Chancellor, 142. DeProtesters opposed the rescinding of the Act of Classes,  spairs when the Covenant is signed, and dies, 158,
200. Contests between them and the Resolutioners, Stark, Helen, suffers martyrdom at Perth, 30.
201. Injurious consequences of this schism, 216, 218. Stewart, Lord Jamnes; see Earl of Murray.




500                                         INDEX.
Stewart, Captain James, created Earl of Arran, his  ton, 349; Kinross, 350; Bowden, 355; Torphichen,
character, 82.                                    360; Inverkeithing, 360; Nigg, 364; Jedburgh, 365;
Stewart, Major Ludovick, his speech when interdicted,  Kilconquhar, 367; Shotts, 367; St. Ninians, 369; Mar428.                                              noch, 407.
Stewarton, revival of religion at, 135.           Visitation of Families recommended by the Assembly,
---  --    case, stated, 441. Plea of independent juris-  323.
diction, 441, 442. Decided, 454.                Voluntary Controversy, the, 392.
Strathbogie, Presbytery of, their conduct in the Marnoch Case, 407. Suspended, 409. Sentence of As- WALLACE, Adam, suffers martyrdom, 35.
sembly on those who held Communion with them,        -, Colonel, takes command of the Insurgents,
432,, 433, 46.                                 227.
Superintendents appointed in consequence of the pau- Welsh, John, son-in-law of Knox, confined in Blackcity of ministers, 51.                            ness, then banished, 120. Death of, 128., John, a price set on his head, 242.
TABLES, the Four, their construction and use, 151.  Westminster, Assembly of, its character and proceed.
Talla-linn, meeting at, its consequence, 267.       ings, 188, 189.
Teind, Commissioners of the, 320., Bicentenary Commemoration
Test Act, the, 263. Its consequences, 264.          of, held, 468.
Thomson, Dr. Andrew, his character, 386.          William, King, his character and views, 299. His death,
Toleration, 301, 329, 338.                          and remarks on his policy, 317.
Torphichen, last instance of a Riding Committee at, 360. Willock, John, joins the Reformers, 36.
Torwood Excommunication, the, 260.                Wilson Margaret, drowned near Wigton, by command
Transportations, Acts for regulating, cause and expla-  of Lagg and Windram, 281.
nation of the, 313.                             Winram, John, sub-prior of St. Leonard's, favours the
Traquair, Earl of, comes to Edinburgh to support the  Reformation, 27.
prelatic party, 152. His deceptive conduct, 153.  Wishart, George, account of him, 30. Preaches at
Turner, Sir James, his cruelties, 224. Seized by the in-  Montrose, Ayr, and Dundee, 30. Accompanied by
surgents at Dumfries, 227.                        John Knox to Haddington, 30. Suffers martyr.
dom, 32.
UNION between England and Scotland, proposals for a, Wodrow, Robert, the historian of the persecution, his
318. Directions given to the Scottish Commissioners  instructions, to Erskine of Cardross, 342.
with regard to the Church, 318. The Act of Security
rendered the basis of the, 320. Finally ratified, 320. YORK, Duke of, afterwards James VII., appointed to
Reflections concerning the new position in which the  the administration of affairs in Scotland, after the fall
Church of Scotland was placed by the, 321. Violated  of Lauderdale, 257. Excommunicated by Cargill,
by the Patronage Act, 330 —335.                   260. His cold cruelty, 261. Acts of the parliament
held by him, 263. His last visit to Scotland, 267. Ilis
VIOLENT Settlements of Ministers, first instance of the,  saying respecting the only method of pacificating
345. Some of the most remarkable cases of;-Hut-   Scotland, 269.
BE END.