Thus the presbyterian ecclesiastical government began to appear in its proper form; but new obstructions being raised by the ministers to the choice of representatives, the provincial assembly did not meet till next year, nor did it ever obtain except in London and Lancashire. The parliament never heartily approved it, and the interest that supported it being quickly disabled, Mr. Eachard says, the presbyterians never saw their dear presbytery settled in any one part of England. But Mr. Baxter who is a much better authority says, the ordinance was executed in London and Lancashire, though it remained unexecuted in almost all other ports. However, the presbyterian ministers had their voluntary associations for church affairs in most counties, though without any authoritative jurisdiction.

To return to the king, who marched with the Scots army from Newark to Newcastle, where he continued about eight months, being treated with some respect, but not with all the duty of subjects to a sovereign. The first sermon that was preached before him gave hopes,* that they would be mediators between him and the parliament; it was from 2 Sam. xix. 41, 42, 43. And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have the men of Judah stolen thee away?—And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us; wherefore then be ye angry for this matter, have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king; and we have also more right in David than ye; why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had, in bringing

§ Eachard, p. 634.

*Mr. Whitlocke informs us, Memorials, p. 234, "that a Scotch minister preached boldly before the king, December 16, 1646, at Newcas'tle," and after his sermon called for the 52d psalm, which begins, "Why dost thou, tyrant, boast thyself,

"Thy wicked works to praise ?"

His majesty thereupon stood up, and called for the 56th psalm, which begins,

"Have mercy, Lord, on me,

pray,

"For men would me devour."

The people waved the minister's psalm, and sung that which the king called for.

Ed.

back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. But it quickly appeared, that nothing would be done except upon condition of the king's taking the covenant, and establishing the presbyterial government in both kingdoms. When the king was pressed upon these heads, he pleaded his conscience, and declared that though he was content the Scots should enjoy their own discipline, he apprehended his honor and conscience were concerned to support episcopacy in England, because it had been established from the reformation, and that he was bound to uphold it by his coronation oath ; however, he was willing to enter into a conference with any person whom they should appoint, protesting he was not ashamed to change his judgment, or alter his resolution, provided they could satisfy him in two points.

1st. That the episcopacy he contended for was not of divine institution.-2dly. That his coronation oath did not bind him to support and defend the church of England as it was then established:

To satisfy the king in these points the Scots sent for Mr. Alexander Henderson from Edinburgh, pastor of a church in that city, rector of the University, and one of the king's chaplains, a divine of great learning and abilities, as well as discretion and prudence. Mr. Rushworth says, that he had more moderation than most of his way. And Collier adds, that he was a person of learning, elocution, and judgment, and seems to have been the top of his party. The debate was managed in writing: the king drew up his own papers, and gave them sir Robert Murray to transcribe, and deliver to Mr. Henderson ;* and Mr. Henderson's hand not being so legible as his, sir Robert, by the king's appointment, transcribed Mr. Henderson's papers for his majesty's use.†

Collier, p. 818.

* Duke of Hamilton's M. p. 277. † Dr. Grey blames Mr. Neal here for omitting bishop Burnet's account of the king's superiority in this controversy. "Had his majes ty's arms," says the bishop, "been as strong as his reason was, he had been every way unconquerable, since none have the disingenuity to deny the great advantage his majesty had in all these writings: and this was when the help of his chaplains could not be suspected, they being so far from him; and that the king drew with his own hand all his papers without the help of any, is averred by the person who alone was privy to the interchanging of them, that worthy and accomVOL. III.

43

The King, in his first paper of May 29, declares his esteem for the English reformation, because it was effected without tumult; and was directed by those who ought to have the conduct of such an affair. He apprehends they kept close to apostolical appointment, and the universal custom of the primitive church; that therefore the adhering to episcopacy must be of the last importance, as without it the priesthood must sink, and the sacraments be administered without effect; for these reasons he conceives episcopacy necessary to the being of a church, and also, that he is bound to support it by his coronation oath. Lastly, His Majesty desires to know of Mr. Henderson, what warrant there is in the word of God for subjects to endeav-. or to force their king's conscience, or to make him alter laws against his will?

Mr. Henderson, in his first paper of June 3, after an introduction of modesty and respect, wishes, when occasion requires, that religion might always be reformed by the civil magistrate, and not left either to the prelates or the people; but when princes or magistrates are negligent of their duty, God may stir up the subject to perform this. work. He observes, that the reformation of King Henry VIII. was very defective in the essentials of doctrine, worship, and government; that it proceeded with a Laodicean lukewarmness; that the supremacy was transferred from one wrong head to another, and the limbs of the antichristian hierarchy were visible in the body. He adds, that the imperfection of the English reformation had been the complaint of many religious and godly persons; that it had occasioned more schism and separation than had been heard of elsewhere, and had been matter of unspeakable grief to other churches. As to the king's argument, that the validity of the priesthood, and the efficacy of the sacraments, depended upon episcopacy, he replies, that episcopacy cannot make out its claim to apostolical ap

plished gentleman Robert Murray." The bishop's opinion may be justly admitted, as a testimony to the ability with which the king handied the question: and yet some allowance should be made for the bias with which this prelate would naturally review arguments in favor of his own sentiments and rank. Ed.