THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND. BOOK VII. (CONTINUED.) CHAPTER XIV. COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT AND THE SCOTS; THE KING'S PROCEEDINGS WITH REGARD TO SCOTLAND; THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT; THE SCOTS PREPARE TO ENTER ENGLAND. THE proceedings of the Scots were now voted to the royal cause, were therefore spewatched with equal anxiety by the king cially invited to attend. But the opposite and by the parliament, although it was not party were equally active, and more powerdifficult to see that there was a decided ful; and, at the desire of the parliament of leaning towards the latter. Although their England, one of the Scottish commissioners first attempt at intermediation was met only in London, lord Warristoun, a zealous preswith a rebuke, they resolved to attempt byterian and a statesman of singular abilianother, in a more formal manner. For ties, was recalled, in order to give the counthis purpose, after Charles's arrival at York, cil his statement of the events which had in the month of May, the council in Scot- led to the rupture between Charles and his land sent the earl of Loudon, the chancellor, parliament. This meeting of council was to court, to make a new offer of mediation; naturally looked forward to by ali parties but Loudon found the king acting entirely with the greatest anxiety. The nobles of under the influence of violent counsels, and the king's party, Kinnoul, Roxburgh, and he was ordered to return back immediately others, thought to overawe it, and influence to Scotland for the purpose of laying before its decision by marching into the capital the Scottish council the king's statement of with a powerful body of their vassals, and his griefs against the parliament, and of ob- they had calculated on carrying a strong taining from them the dispatch to the Eng-resolution of the council in favour of the lish parliament of commissioners who were king. But the watchful covenanters immeto declare that they disapproved of the pro-diately took the alarm, and the barons and ceeedings of that body against their sove- gentry of Fife and Lothian assembled their reign. Accordingly, on Loudon's return, a privy council was summoned for the purpose of taking the king's request into consideration. We have seen, in the king's letter to the earl of Lanark, how anxious he was to obtain some declaration in his favour from Scotland, and it was now determined to try all means to effect this object at the meeting of the council. All those of the Scottish nobles who were believed to be firmly de retainers, and hastened to Edinburgh in such force, that the royalists saw that any attempt on their part must be crushed in a moment. They therefore thought it prudent not to bring forward the motion in the king's favour which they had contemplated, and a numerously-signed petition, opposed to the court policy, but moderately and temperately expressed, was presented by the ministers, and received with favour. The high royalists took the alarm, and the council was inhibited by the king from interfering any further in the matter. lish parliament assured the assembly of their anxious desire for reformation in church and state, and told them that they had been only hindered from carrying that desire into execution by the intrigues of a malignant party of papists and other ill-affected persons, and by the selfishness and ambition of the bishops. At the same time came a letter from some of the English clergy, declaring their attachment to the forms of presbyterianism, and expressing the hope that there might be one united church for the two countries. Soon after the return of the earl of Loudon from York, the marquis of Hamilton arrived there, and also made an attempt to mediate between the king and his parliament. Hamilton was naturally a man of moderate principles, but in his anxiety to avoid committing himself too far with either party, he gave satisfaction to neither. Finding the king too much exasperated against the parliament to listen to reason, Hamilton tried to pacify him by subscribing for the maintenance of three-score horse in his service; and then having obtained permission to visit Scotland, he found that the mere fact of his visit to York had made him suspected by his countrymen. The marquis soon saw how weak the influence of the crown had become in the north, and he gave the king a tolerably candid account of the state of affairs, and was again urgent for a conciliation with the parliament. As Charles had made a promise to his queen, who was now on the continent, that he would listen to no terms of reconciliation during her absence, or without her consent, Hamilton recommended her immediate recall as a preliminary step to an accommoda-ligion hath moved so slowly, and suffered so tion. In the midst of these events, on the 27th of July, the national assembly met at St. Andrews, and was opened by the earl of Dunfermline as the king's commissioner. The tone assumed by the court towards the assembly was far more submissive and respectful than on former occasions; and they were assured that the king only wished to see his Scottish subjects enjoy in security their own laws and their own religion. The king declared to them through his commissioner that he was ready to listen to all their projects of reform, and that he intended indeed to be "a nursing father to their kirk;" and he only required in return that they should abstain from any acts hostile to his authority, and that they would judge of him by his deeds. This, unfortunately for Charles's person and interests, they had long been in the habit of doing. On the other hand, it was with undisguisable satisfaction that the assembly received from the parliament of England a copy of the petition which the latter had sent to the king to deprecate the imminent dangers of a civil war. In a declaration which accompanied the copy of their petition, the Eng The assembly agreed unanimously in a cordial answer to the communication from the English parliament, in which, after thanking God for the success which had attended their own endeavours at home for reformation and the prevention of civil war, they assured their English brethren "That the hearts of all the members of this assembly, and of all the well-affected in this kingdom, are exceedingly grieved and made heavy, that in so long a time, against the professions both of king and parliament, and contrary to the joint desires and prayers of the godly in both kingdoms, to whom it is more dear and precious than what is dearest to them in the world, the reformation of re great interruption." They added that they believed that "all prelates, formal professors, prophane and worldly men, and all who were popishly affected," were in league with the powers of darkness to prevent reformation. They said that they had always held it to be of the utmost importance to the mutual interests of the two kingdoms, that there should be a uniformity of religion, and that the two kingdoms should have one confession of faith, one directory of worship, one public catechism, and one form of church government. They expressed the confident expectation, "that England would now bestir themselves in the best way for the reformation of religion," which they so earnestly sought. "The assembly also," they said, "from so many real invitations, are heartened to renew the proposition made by the aforementioned commissioners of this kingdom for the beginning the work of reformation at the uniformity of kirk-government; for what hope can there be of unity in religion, of one confession of faith, one form of worship, and one catechism, till there be first one form of ecclesiastical government? yea, what hope can the kingdom and kirk of Scotland have of a firm and durable peace, the ministers, as well as in a supplication addressed to the king. The individual chosen to be the bearer of these papers was lord Maitland, who at this time was in the confidence of the presbyterians, but who became notorious under a subsequent reign by the title of earl of Lauderdale. The English parliament responded to the declaration of the assembly by a resolution, in which they assured that body that they were moved by the same sentiments and with the same aspirations. "Having with much contentment," they said, "perused the brotherly and christian answer which the general assembly of the church of Scotland have made unto the declaration formerly sent unto them from us, and finding therein great expressions of love to this church and kingdom, and of prudence and faithfulness in propounding those things which may conduce to a more close and firm union of the two churches and nations of England and Scotland, in preserving and maintaining the truth and purity of the reformed religion, not only against popery, but against all other superstitious sects and in till prelacy, which hath been the main cause of their miseries and troubles first and last, be plucked up root and branch, as a plant which God hath not planted, and from which no better fruit can be expected than such sour grapes as this day set on edge the kingdom of England? The prelatical hierarchy being put out of the way, the work will be easy, without forcing any conscience to settle in England the government of the reformed kirks by assemblies; for although the reformed kirks do hold, without doubting, their kirk officers and kirk government, by assemblies higher and lower in their strong and beautiful subordination, to be jure divino and perpetual; yet prelacy, as it differeth from the office of a pastor, is almost universally acknowledged by the prelates themselves and their adherents to be a human ordinance, introduced by human reason, and settled by human law and custom, for supposed conveniency; which, therefore, by human authority, without wronging any man's conscience, may be altered and abolished upon so great a necessity, as is a hearty conjunction with all the reformed kirks, a firm and well-grounded peace be-novations whatsoever, have thereupon retween the two kingdoms, formerly divided in themselves and betwixt themselves by this partition wall, and a perfect union of the two kirks in the two nations, which, although by the providence of God in one island and under one monarch, yet ever since the reformation, and for the present also, are at great difference in the point of kirk government, which in all places hath a more powerful influence upon all parts of the same religion than in any other reformed kirks, although in nations at greatest distance and under divers princes. What may be required of the kirk of Scotland for further-work of reformation is encountered, yet we ing the work of uniformity of government, or for agreeing upon a common confession of faith, catechism, and directory for worship, shall, according to the order given by this assembly, be most willingly performed by us, who long extremely for the day when king and parliament shall join for bringing to pass so great, so good a work; that all wars and commotions ceasing, all superstition, idolatry, heresy, sects, and schisms being removed, as the Lord is one, so his name may be one amongst us, and mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, meeting together, and kissing one another, may dwell in this island." This paper was dated on the 3rd of August. The assembly expressed similar sentiments in their reply to sumed into our consideration and care the matters concerning the reformation of church government and discipline, which we have often had in consultation and debate since the beginning of this parliament, and ever made it our chiefest aim, though we have been frequently interrupted and powerfully opposed in the prosecution and accomplishment of it. And however we continue still in the storm and conflict, finding small abatement of difficulty and much increase of malignity and perverseness in the opposition wherewith this great and necessary heartily thank God and rejoice with our brethren of Scotland for that peace, liberty, and preservation which God hath afforded them, taking it as a pledge and earnest of the like mercy intended to us in his good time; and hoping that he will not only free us from the most grievous and destructive miseries and calamities of a civil war, but graciously perfect our designs and endeavours of a full reformation in all matters appertaining to religion; which, as it is the greatest honour and service which God receives from his people, so we acknowledge with our brethren, that it is the surest foundation of glory, strength, and happiness, which he bestows upon any nation." English parliament proceeded to excuse their The high royalists took the alarm, and the council was inhibited by the king from interfering any further in the matter. lish parliament assured the assembly of their anxious desire for reformation in church and state, and told them that they had been only hindered from carrying that desire into execution by the intrigues of a malignant party of papists and other ill-affected persons, and by the selfishness and ambition of the bishops. At the same time came a letter from some of the English clergy, declaring their attachment to the forms of presbyterianism, and expressing the hope that there might be one united church for the two countries. Soon after the return of the earl of Loudon from York, the marquis of Hamilton arrived there, and also made an attempt to mediate between the king and his parliament. Hamilton was naturally a man of moderate principles, but in his anxiety to avoid committing himself too far with either party, he gave satisfaction to neither. Finding the king too much exasperated against the parliament to listen to reason, Hamilton tried to pacify him by subscribing The assembly agreed unanimously in a for the maintenance of three-score horse in cordial answer to the communication from his service; and then having obtained per- the English parliament, in which, after mission to visit Scotland, he found that the thanking God for the success which had mere fact of his visit to York had made him attended their own endeavours at home for suspected by his countrymen. The marquis reformation and the prevention of civil war, saw how weak the influence of the they assured their English brethren "That crown had become in the north, and he the hearts of all the members of this asgave the king a tolerably candid account of sembly, and of all the well-affected in this the state of affairs, and was again urgent for kingdom, are exceedingly grieved and made a conciliation with the parliament. As heavy, that in so long a time, against the Charles had made a promise to his queen, professions both of king and parliament, and who was now on the continent, that he contrary to the joint desires and prayers of would listen to no terms of reconciliation the godly in both kingdoms, to whom it is during her absence, or without her consent, more dear and precious than what is dearest Hamilton recommended her immediate re- to them in the world, the reformation of recall as a preliminary step to an accommoda-ligion hath moved so slowly, and suffered so tion. soon In the midst of these events, on the 27th of July, the national assembly met at St. Andrews, and was opened by the earl of Dunfermline as the king's commissioner. The tone assumed by the court towards the assembly was far more submissive and respectful than on former occasions; and they were assured that the king only wished to see his Scottish subjects enjoy in security their own laws and their own religion. The king declared to them through his commissioner that he was ready to listen to all their projects of reform, and that he intended indeed to be "a nursing father to their kirk;" and he only required in return that they should abstain from any acts hostile to his authority, and that they would judge of him by his deeds. This, unfortunately for Charles's person and interests, they had long been in the habit of doing. On the other hand, it was with undisguisable satisfaction that the assembly received from the parliament of England a copy of the petition which the latter had sent to the king to deprecate the imminent dangers of a civil war. In a declaration which accompanied the copy of their petition, the Eng great interruption." They added that they believed that "all prelates, formal professors, prophane and worldly men, and all who were popishly affected," were in league with the powers of darkness to prevent reformation. They said that they had always held it to be of the utmost importance to the mutual interests of the two kingdoms, that there should be a uniformity of religion, and that the two kingdoms should have one confession of faith, one directory of worship, one public catechism, and one form of church government. They expressed the confident expectation, "that England would now bestir themselves in the best way for the reformation of religion," which they so earnestly sought. "The assembly also," they said, "from so many real invitations, are heartened to renew the proposition made by the aforementioned commissioners of this kingdom for the beginning the work of reformation at the uniformity of kirk-government; for what hope can there be of unity in religion, of one confession of faith, one form of worship, and one catechism, till there be first one form of ecclesiastical government? yea, what hope can the kingdom and kirk of Scotland have of a firm and durable peace, the ministers, as well as in a supplication addressed to the king. The individual chosen to be the bearer of these papers was lord Maitland, who at this time was in the confidence of the presbyterians, but who became notorious under a subsequent reign by the title of earl of Lauderdale. The English parliament responded to the declaration of the assembly by a resolution, in which they assured that body that they were moved by the same sentiments and with the same aspirations. "Having with much contentment," they said, "perused the brotherly and christian answer which the general assembly of the church of Scotland have made unto the declaration formerly sent unto them from us, and finding therein great expressions of love to this church and kingdom, and of prudence and faithfulness in propounding those things which may conduce to a more close and firm union of the two churches and nations of England and Scotland, in preserving and maintaining the truth and purity of the reformed religion, not only against popery, but against all other superstitious sects and in till prelacy, which hath been the main cause of their miseries and troubles first and last, be plucked up root and branch, as a plant which God hath not planted, and from which no better fruit can be expected than such sour grapes as this day set on edge the kingdom of England? The prelatical hierarchy being put out of the way, the work will be easy, without forcing any conscience to settle in England the government of the reformed kirks by assemblies; for although the reformed kirks do hold, without doubting, their kirk officers and kirk government, by assemblies higher and lower in their strong and beautiful subordination, to be jure divino and perpetual; yet prelacy, as it differeth from the office of a pastor, is almost universally acknowledged by the prelates themselves and their adherents to be a human ordinance, introduced by human reason, and settled by human law and custom, for supposed conveniency; which, therefore, by human authority, without wronging any man's conscience, may be altered and abolished upon so great a necessity, as is a hearty conjunction with all the reformed kirks, a firm and well-grounded peace be-novations whatsoever, have thereupon retween the two kingdoms, formerly divided in themselves and betwixt themselves by this partition wall, and a perfect union of the two kirks in the two nations, which, although by the providence of God in one island and under one monarch, yet ever since the reformation, and for the present also, are at great difference in the point of kirk government, which in all places hath a more powerful influence upon all parts of the same religion than in any other reformed kirks, although in nations at greatest distance and under divers princes. What may be required of the kirk of Scotland for further-work of reformation is encountered, yet we ing the work of uniformity of government, or for agreeing upon a common confession of faith, catechism, and directory for worship, shall, according to the order given by this assembly, be most willingly performed by us, who long extremely for the day when king and parliament shall join for bringing to pass so great, so good a work; that all wars and commotions ceasing, all superstition, idolatry, heresy, sects, and schisms being removed, as the Lord is one, so his name may be one amongst us, and mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, meeting together, and kissing one another, may dwell in this island." This paper was dated on the 3rd of August. The assembly expressed similar sentiments in their reply to sumed into our consideration and care the matters concerning the reformation of church government and discipline, which we have often had in consultation and debate since the beginning of this parliament, and ever made it our chiefest aim, though we have been frequently interrupted and powerfully opposed in the prosecution and accomplishment of it. And however we continue still in the storm and conflict, finding small abatement of difficulty and much increase of malignity and perverseness in the opposition wherewith this great and necessary heartily thank God and rejoice with our brethren of Scotland for that peace, liberty, and preservation which God hath afforded them, taking it as a pledge and earnest of the like mercy intended to us in his good time; and hoping that he will not only free us from the most grievous and destructive miseries and calamities of a civil war, but graciously perfect our designs and endeavours of a full reformation in all matters appertaining to religion; which, as it is the greatest honour and service which God receives from his people, so we acknowledge with our brethren, that it is the surest foundation of glory, strength, and happiness, which he bestows upon any nation." The English parliament proceeded to excuse their |