thought necessary to be required from a prince who had already proved, in many cases, that his royal word was little worth. Despising many warnings of danger to themselves and Covenant and church, the Presbyterians prepared an answer to the king's letter, expressing their surpassing joy; voted his majesty, who was penniless, the present supply of £50,000; and sent a committee into the city to borrow that money. Prynne, who had suffered so much from Star Chambers and High Courts of Commission, royal tyranny and prelatical intolerance, and that upright judge Sir Matthew Hale, ventured to recommend that some more definite settlement should be made before

the king were brought back; but Monk silenced them by asserting that, as his majesty would come back without either mouey or troops, there was nothing to fear from him.

The commons continued running a race with the lords in this new loyalty; and, after other votes, they sent twelve of their members to wait upon the king. Nor were the lord-mayor and common council of London a whit less loyal.

On the 8th of May Charles was solemnly proclaimed at Westminster Hall gate, the lords and commons standing bareheaded while the proclamation was made by the heralds. And so ended the Commonwealth,

CHAPTER XVIII.-HISTORY OF RELIGION.

A.D. 1603-1660.

State of the religious contest in Britain at the present period-Its connection with the Scottish ReformationPresbyterian form of the Scottish Reformation-Early origin of the Presbyterian element in Scotland-Early inclination of James VI. to Episcopacy-Remonstrances of the clergy against his aggressions on the churchAndrew Melvil cited before the privy council-His refusal of the judgment of a civil court in ecclesiastical affairs-Acts of 1584 subversive of the liberty of the church-The "Raid of Ruthven"-Temporary reconciliation of James with the church-His declarations and concessions in its favour-His dislike to Presbyterianism renewed with his prospects of accession to the throne of England-His favour for Papists-Deputation of ministers sent to remonstrate with him on the subject-Bold address of Andrew Melvil to him on the occasion -Measures of the clergy to protect the rights of the church-Attempts of James to restrain the liberty of the pulpit-Trial of David Black-Riot in Edinburgh on the 17th of December-James embraces this opportunity to impose Episcopacy on the church-His measures to that effect-Contrast between the Scottish and the English Reformation-Predominance in the latter of the royal authority-Monarchical character of the English church-Origin of English Puritanism simultaneous with the Reformation-Objections of early English Reformers to the rites and ceremonies retained from the Romish church-Puritanism during the reign of Elizabeth-Its growth and political influence-Proposals of the Puritans for the abrogation of certain church forms and ceremonies-The change of the church to Puritanism narrowly defeated-Elizabeth's resolution to compel uniformity-Scene at Lambeth illustrative of this compulsion-Puritanism strengthened by opposition-Its objections extended from the forms to the constitution of the church-Commencement of Puritan secession from the church-Its proposed Book of Discipline-Rise of Presbyterians, Brownists, Familists, and Anabaptists-Grindal and Whitgift, Archbishops of Canterbury—Their different administration-Account of Whitgift-His strict and severe measures to produce conformity—Accession of James to the throne of England-Hopes of Churchmen and Puritans at his arrival-The "millenary petition" of the Puritans-Its proposals-The Hampton Court controversy-Conduct of James on the occasion-His singular speechesProposal adopted for a new translation of the Bible-Accomplishment of the work-New Book of Canons to compel the Puritans to conform to the church- Account of the "Pilgrim Fathers"-Their emigration to New England--Their foundation of the United States of America-James's Book of Sports-His enactments for silencing the Puritan pulpits-Change of his own creed from Calvinism to Arminianismn-Dark prospects of the Puritans at the accession of Charles I.-Popish tendencies of his prelates-Attempt of Charles to overthrow the Presbyterianism of Scotland-The Scottish reaction-English Puritanism roused by the example-Meeting of the Westminster Assembly of Divines-Episcopacy overthrown and Presbyterianisin established in England -Difference between the Scottish and English Presbyterianism-Causes of that difference-State of parties in the Westminster Assembly-Presbyterians, Independents, and Erastians-Chief proceedings of the assembly -Its Directory, Confession of Faith, and Catechisms-Debates on the Divine right of Presbytery, and toleration-Toleration established-Rise of Independency over Presbyterianism-Causes of this rise-Cromwell's "Board of Triers"-Its beneficial services to religion-English sectaries,

HE religious history of the present period is chiefly the narrative of a deadly struggle between the Puritanism of England on the one hand, and the Episcopal polity on the other; between the national church as formulated by Henry VIII. and Eliza

beth, and supported by authoritative statutes and rich endowments-and a strong popular religious element, whose motto was liberty of conscience, and whose aim was the emancipation of the church, alike from kingly dictation and parliamentary rule. It was, for the time, the presiding spirit of that great political struggle in

which the last remaining bonds of feudalism were thing more than the equals of each other, while to be thrown off, and the nation at large advanced into a more perfect state of liberty, both civil and religious. To understand the controversy aright, however, it is necessary to revert to the Scottish Reformation, from which English Puritanism derived an important element of its strength, and to the Scottish Presbyterianism, which so opportunely turned the scale, when the conflict had commenced, and when the issue was still uncertain.

Christ alone was to be the recognized Head and King. But how such a republican government in the church would reconcile itself to monarchy in the state, at a period when the monarchic principle was aiming at entire absolutism, was now the question at issue. We have already seen the commencement of the trial under the Scottish regency, when the Earl of Morton ruled with delegated authority. We have now to trace its continuation under the reign of James, and its terrible decision under that of his unfortunate son.

In contemplating the Scottish Reformation at its outset, we find it resolving itself into the great question of religious and political emanci- No sooner had the young king, James VI., pation, without reference to the particular form assumed the reins of government, than the proof church polity in which it was to be embodied. spects of the Scottish church began to be clouded. The recovery of England back to Rome was the Even already, he showed that immoderate pargreat aim of the Catholic powers upon the Con- tiality for favourites which disgraced his royal tinent, and as this could only be accomplished by administration to the close; and at the outset, his force of arms, England, it was found, could be bosom friends and counsellors were D'Aubigny, most effectually assailed through the sister king- Earl and afterwards Duke of Lennox, and Capdom, and with the aid of its warlike population. tain Stuart, afterwards Earl of Arran-the forBut all this implied a previous subjugation, to mer notoriously a Papist, and adherent of the which the Scots, of all people, were least likely Guise faction in France; the latter a worthless to submit; and they would neither consent to intriguer and profligate, to whom all religions turn their country into a battle-field, nor them- were equally indifferent. Under such counselselves into passive recruits of France or Spain, lors, James was not likely to acquire much love let the Papal conclave decree as it might. In this either for the stern self-denying system of Presway, the question at the outset with Scotland was, byterianism, or the ministers by whom it was Protestant or Papist? and this was shown by the represented. But from the state of public feeling readiness with which John Knox suggested, and he learned the necessity of wariness, and in this the Reformers sought, the aid of England, in way he commenced, even in boyhood, those praeclearing their country from French usurpation. tices of prevarication and deception which he afLet the troops of France be but expelled, and terwards dignified with the name of kingcraft. the country freed from every alliance with those And yet, even already he could not control his great powers which were banded for the destruc- Episcopal leanings, as was manifested in the case tion of their common Protestantism, and the par- of the archbishopric of Glasgow. This see havticular form which the new national church was ing become vacant in 1581, a grant was made of to assume would be speedily determined by the its revenues by the privy council to the Earl of feelings of the people. What, in the meantime, Lennox; but as the latter, being a layman, could was chiefly needed, was a cleared and levelled not draw them in his own name, he resolved to ground on which to erect it. We know with effect it by means of a tulchan, or bishop of what alacrity the choice was made. It had in straw. He accordingly procured Robert Montfact been already decided by the religious train- gomery, a minister of Stirling, to assume that ing of the nation through a long course of ages. degrading office. This violation of a recent deThe earliest Christian church in Scotland had cree alarmed the church, and the General Asseinbeen the church of the Culdees, that simple anti- bly denounced the appointment as illegal, upon monarchical form where the permanent dominion which the king, espousing the cause of his favourof one priest over his brethren could obtain noite, Lennox, required the assembly to desist from place; and even when the Papal church was finally established, it still retained the original republican character, by its resistance to the rule of the Popedom, and its rejection of primates, whether native or English. This long cherished ecclesiastical parity, and dislike of individual domination, made the choice of Presbyterianism a natural and national result. The Church of Scotland was to be a theocracy independent of secu lar rule, in which the ministers were to be no

their proceedings against Montgomery, who was already menaced with excommunication. But although denounced with the penalties of rebellion if they refused, the ecclesiastical court persisted in the prosecution, until Robert Montgomery himself, quelled into submission, humbly confessed his fault before the house, promised to renounce the bishopric, and craved to be forgiven. His punishment accordingly was delayed; but, instigated by Lennox, he revived once more his

trine and control the ambassadors and messengers of a greater than was here. "That you may see your own weakness and rashness," he added,

ought nor can do, there are my instructions and warrant"-and with that, he loosed a little Hebrew Bible from his girdle, and laid it on the table before them. Arran opened the book, gazed upon it in hopeless ignorance, and handing it to the king, said, "Sir, he scorns your majesty and the council." "Nay, I scorn not," replied Melvil, "but am in good earnest." For his refusal to be tried, in the first instance, upon a question of doctrine before the king and council, and for what was accounted his unreverent behaviour, he was sentenced to imprisonment in the castle of Edinburgh during the royal pleasure; but knowing that this place was to be changed for Blackness Castle, of which Arran was the keeper, he took the opportunity of a short interval that was allowed him, and escaped in safety to Berwick.

The flight of this bold champion of the independence of the church emboldened the king and his courtiers to more daring deeds of oppression; and a series of acts were passed by the parliament, which were known in the country as the "Black Acts of 1584." Although gently expressed, their purport was sufficiently despotic, and subversive of the liberties of the church; for they made the declinature of the king's or council's authority in any case to be treason, restricted public meet

claim, and endeavoured to make it good at the head of an armed band, with which he forcibly invaded the presbytery of Glasgow, insulted its members, and dragged the moderator to prison."in taking upon you that which you neither The church on this excommunicated the offender, but the privy council proclaimed the sentence null and void. Thus the civil and ecclesiastical powers were brought into such antagonism, that one of the parties must give way. But feeling that not only its rights were violated, but that its very existence was at stake, the church persevered in the perilous encounter, and a deputation of ministers, with Andrew Melvil at their head, repaired to the king at Perth, to present a remonstrance of the General Assembly against these tyrannical proceedings. As their mission was so odious to the royal favourites and courtiers, apprehensions had been entertained that the ministers might lose their lives in the attempt; and in Scotland, at such a season, an angry outbreak of this nature would neither have been an impossible nor unlikely occurrence. On presenting the remonstrance before the king in council, the fierce Earl of Arran exclaimed with a threatening tone, "Who dares subscribe these treasonable articles?" "WE dare," replied Andrew Melvil calmly, and taking the pen from the clerk, he subscribed the paper, and was immediately followed by his brethren. Lennox and Arran were daunted, and allowed the ministers to depart in peace. But the despotism of these favourites still continuing, produced that combina-ings in such terms as to suppress all freedom of tion among the nobles known in the history of the times by the name of the "Raid of Ruthven," in which the king was closely warded, and the favourites banished from the royal presence. On recovering his liberty, James recalled Arran, and renewed his attempts against the church, the chief offender in which, according to royal reckoning, was Andrew Melvil, who, in the beginning of February, 1584, was summoned to answer before the privy council for certain treasonable sentiments which he was alleged to have uttered in his sermon upon the fast day. He appeared, and rehearsed the words he had uttered in the pulpit. But this not satisfying the council, he was summoned a second time; upon which he drew up a protest against their proceedings, and declined their authority, declaring, that as the charges against him were wholly ecclesiastical, being about words alleged to have been uttered in preaching, he ought therefore in the first instance to be tried by the ecclesiastical courts, who were the proper and constituted judges of any such clerical of

discussion in presbyteries, synods, and general assemblies, and invested the bishops with full authority over ecclesiastical matters in their respective dioceses. These enactments sufficiently announced the abrogation of the national Presbyterian church by royal authority, and the establishment of Episcopacy in its stead. In consequence of these oppressive measures, twenty of the boldest and most conscientious of the ministers were compelled to escape to England, while those who remained were either so shackled by restrictions that all freedom of action was suspended, or obliged to maintain an unequal conflict against the restored Episcopacy backed by the king, his favourite, and the privy council, and in the face of parliamentary prohibitions and penalties. In such circumstances, a reaction of the Scottish spirit was inevitable, and it occurred in the old Scottish fashion. In 1585 the banished lords of the "Raid of Ruthven," the fugitive ministers, and the self-exiled Scots of every degree who had removed themselves beyond the reach of political and religious tyranny, had gathered to a head in England, and finding themselves strong enough to make good their entrance into Scotland, they returned, not as fugitives and banished men, but as those who had both right

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and power to redress the wrongs of their church | their service is an evil said mass in English; they and country. The result was, that Arran was want nothing of the mass but the liftings. driven into obscurity, and the king obliged to charge you, my good people, ministers, doctors, assume a more moderate tone; while Episcopacy, elders, nobles, gentlemen, and barons, to stand to though it could not be abrogated, was reduced your purity, and to exhort your people to do the as before to its place within the verge of Pres- same; and I, forsooth, so long as I bruik my life byterian parity and submission - a reduction and crown, shall maintain the same against all that was soon after signalized in the excommuni- deadly." There was nothing heard for a quarter cation of Patrick Adamson, Archbishop of St. of an hour but praising God, and praying for the Andrews, by the synod of Fife. Although all king. It was a striking scene, as well as the this was much, yet it fell short of the mark, as manifestation of an unwonted mood on the part the order of bishops was still tolerated, and might of the royal speaker. Nor was the feeling so at any future period be restored to its wonted evanescent as might have been expected, as, two pre-eminence. Indeed, it was soon found that years afterwards, James conceded more liberally the patriotic lords, at their return, were more in- to the demands of the Scottish church than he tent in settling their own private quarrels, and had hitherto done. While the harmony between securing their personal interests, than in caring the civil and ecclesiastical powers was as yet for the rights of the church, or advancing its uninterrupted, the General Assembly, in 1592, welfare. drew up a full list of their requirements, which the king received and favourably answered; and though all was not granted which had been asked, the concessions were so ample that they constituted then, as afterwards, the Magna Charta of the Church of Scotland. They were passed in parliament assembled for the purpose, which ratified and approved "all liberties, privileges, immunities, and freedoms whatsoever given and granted by his highness, his regents in his name, or any of his predecessors, to the true and holy kirk presently established within this realm, and declared in the first act of his highness's parliament, the twenty day of October, the year of God 1579 years.” By these enactments, it may be stated in general terms, that the right of general assemblies, synods, and presbyteries to hold their meetings was recognized, and that their discipline and jurisdietion was to continue and hold good whatever statutes, acts, and laws might have been made to the contrary. The royal supremacy was to be in no

The great public political events that followed were of a nature to reconcile James to the national church, or at least compel him to a show of amity. The Popish continental league, which had for its object the restoration of Mary Stuart to her throne, and the conquest of Protestant England by the subjugation of Scotland, was matured for action; the Spanish Armada was ready to set sail; and James, who knew that the reposition of his mother would not only uncrown him in Scotland, but might debar him from the still more tempting succession of England, was glad to strengthen himself in the Protestant feelings of his subjects. On this account he was careful not only to avoid all encroachments upon the church, but to propitiate its ministers whom he had formerly persecuted. This mutual agreement was strikingly manifested in 1590, when he performed the only adventurous deed of his long reign, by sailing to Denmark and espousing the Princess Anne, in spite of the storms which witch-wise prejudicial to the rights of the church officecraft had raised against the enterprise. Before he set sail, he entrusted the guardianship of the kingdom in an especial manner to Robert Bruce, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, who enjoyed the chief confidence of his brethren; and, at his return, was so well pleased at the manner in which the trust had been discharged, that he declared it worth a "whole quarter of his little kingdom." Elated, also, in no ordinary degree by his chivalrous voyage and its success, he gave full vent to his feelings in a meeting of the General Assembly which was held in August, three months after his return. He praised God that he was born in such a time as in the time of the light of the gospel; to such a place as to be king of such a kirk, the sincerest kirk of the world. "The Kirk of Geneva," said he, "keepeth Pasch and Yule; what have they for them? They have no institution. As for our neighbour kirk in England,

bearers concerning heads of religion, matters of heresy, excommunication, the appointment and deprivation of ministers, or the infliction of such censures as the Word of God warranted; and the commission formerly granted to bishops, and other judges appointed by the king in the trial of ecclesiastical causes, was henceforth to be null and of no effect. But notwithstanding these concessions, there were demands still left unsatisfied, and wrongs unredressed, which could furnish ample ground for future controversy and contention between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities.

As the prospects of the English succession were now continuing to expand and become every year more certain, James endeavoured to accommodate his proceedings to the occasion. He knew that the Presbyterianism of Scotland, so like the Puritanism of England, was in the highest degree distasteful to Elizabeth; and his own likings were in

favour of Episcopacy, which acknowledged the | I must tell you that there are two kings and two kingly rule in ecclesiastical affairs, and recognized kingdoms. There is Christ and his kingdom the the sovereign as the head of the church. These kirk, whose subject King James the Sixth is, and were motives sufficiently strong for his dislike of of whose kingdom he is not a king, nor a head, the ecclesiastical republicanism of his own coun- nor a lord, but a member; and they whom Christ try, and his desire to conciliate the Anglican hath called and commanded to watch over his church, in which he hoped at no distant day to kirk, and govern his spiritual kingdom, have suffirule as a pontiff. But a more difficult task which cient authority and power from him so to do, remained for him was to conciliate the Popish which no Christian king nor prince should conparty, still powerful in Scotland and England trol nor discharge, but fortify and assist, otherthrough their connection with the continental wise they are not faithful subjects to Christ. Sir, powers, and whose concurrence would be of the when you were in your swaddling clouts, Christ utmost importance in facilitating his admission reigned freely in this land in spite of all his eneto the English throne. To this purpose, therefore, mies. His officers and ministers convened and he directed all his kingcraft, and with such ef- assembled for ruling of his kirk, which was ever fect that the English Papists were more desirous for your welfare, also when the same enemies were of having him for their king than even the Pro- seeking your destruction; and have been, by their testants; but in securing this future contingency, assemblies and meetings since, terrible to these he almost lost the present reality, for his Scottish enemies, and most steadable for you. Will you subjects, alarmed at his tamperings with Popery, now, when there is more than necessity, challenge began to suspect that, if not a Papist in heart, he Christ's servants, your best and most faithful was at least compromising the safety of their subjects, for their convening, and for the care church, and the cause of the Reformation itself, they have of their duty to Christ and you, when by his concessions to their irreconcilable enemies. you should rather commend and countenance At last, in 1596, when the dread of a Spanish in- them, as the godly kings and emperors did? The vasion of Scotland was at the height, the banished wisdom of your counsel, which is devilish and Popish lords secretly returned to Scotland, and pernicious, is this-that you may be served with were about to be restored to place and power. all sorts of men to come to your purpose and Alarmed at this ominous movement, a deputation grandeur, Jew and Gentile, Papist and Protestant. from the church was sent to the king, with James Because the ministers and Protestants in Scotland Melvil for their spokesman, as it was thought are too strong, and control the king, they must be that his courteous speech and mild demeanour weakened and brought low by stirring up a party were best suited for a transaction of this kind with against them, and the king, being equal and inroyalty. The interview took place at Falkland; different, both shall be fain to flee to him; so shall but no sooner had the minister announced the he be well settled. But, sir, let God's wisdom be purport of their arrival, and the proceedings of the only true wisdom: this will prove mere and the clerical court by which they had been com- mad folly; for his curse cannot but light upon missioned, than the king angrily charged that it, so that in seeking both you shall lose both; meeting with being seditious, declared that it had whereas, in cleaving uprightly to God, his true been alarmed without cause, and accused them of servants shall be your true friends, and he shall stirring up alarm in the country when none was compel the rest, counterfeitly and lyingly, to serve needed. James Melvil was about to return a soft you, as he did to David." We can imagine with answer; but Andrew Melvil, his uncle, fearing, what feeling Elizabeth or her father would have perhaps, that the purpose of the mission would listened to such sentiments, and enforced in such be lost by too much forbearance, and kindled at a fashion; but the arguments were nothing more the king's charge of sedition against the brethren, than the legitimate consequences of an ecclesiasbroke in abruptly upon the conference. Taking tical polity which James himself had recognized; the king by the sleeve, and addressing him with and as for the blunt mode in which his attention the epithet of "God's silly vassal," he thundered had been solicited, it was too much in accordance in his ears to the following effect:-"Sir, we will with the simple fashions of a Scottish court to humbly reverence your majesty always, namely, excite either wonder or alarm. While Elizabeth, in public; but we have this occasion to be with therefore, would have called for her guards, or your majesty in private, and you are brought Henry VIII. shouted for the executioner, James into extreme danger both of your life and of your only listened quietly, as to an expected lesson, crown, and with you, the country and kirk of although this was but a part of the harangue, and God is like to be wrecked for not telling the truth, "demitted them pleasantly," declaring his ignorand giving you a faithful counsel. We must dis- ance of the return of the Popish lords. All this charge our duty, or else be enemies to Christ and courtesy, however, on the part of the king was you; therefore, sir, as divers times before, so now but an empty show, for the Popish lords were al