Chap. VI. h HISTORY of the PURITANS. firs are not neceffary to be determined ; but certainly fuch a combination of K. Charles/. fubjeds, without the contentof their fovereign, in a well fettled govern- ment is unwarrantable, efpecially when it is confirmed with an oath, as no oath ought to be adminiftered but bycommifiïon from the chief ma- giftrate. The only foundation therefore upon which this covenant can be vindicated is, that the Jots apprehended their legal church eftablifh ment had been broken in pieces by the king's affirming the fupremacy, by his erecting an high commiffion, and by his impofing upon them a book of canons" and liturgy, without content of parliament or general affembly. The council fent advice of the proceedings of the covenanters from Margais of time to time, and acquainted his majefty, that the caute of all the corn- Hamilton motions was the fear of innovations in the doctrine and difcipline of theft,' high kirk, by introducing the liturgy, and high commif3ìon that it `omm oner y g g' canons, g > intoScotland.. was therefore their humble opinion, that the reading the fervice book fhould not be urged at prefent. Upon this the king fent the marquis of Hamilton, his high commifiioner into Scotland, with inftruaions to con- tent to the fufpending the ufe of the fervice book for the prefent, but at the fame time to diflólve the TABLES, and to require the covenant to be delivered up within fix weeks. His majefty adds, " That if there be not °' fufficient flrength in the kingdom to oblige the covenanters to return " to their duty, he will come in perfon from England at the head of a " ° fufficient power to force them ;" and in the mean time, the marquis is empowered to ufe all hoftile acts againft them as a rebellious peo- ple. Upon the marquis's arrival at Holvrcod- houfe, he was welcomed by great numbers of the covenanters of all ranks and qualities, in hopes that he would call a general affembly and a free parliament; but when he told them this was not in his infiruclions, they went home full of relent- ments. The people nailed up the organ-loft in the church, and admo- nifhed the marquis not to read the liturgy. The minifters cautioned their hearers againft contenting to enfnaring propofitions ; and a letter was fent to the marquis and council, exhorting them to fubfcribe the co- venant. His lord/blp fent advice of there things to court, and moved his majefty either to yield to the people or haften his royal arms. The King replied, that he would rather die than yield to their impertinent and damnable demands; but admitted of the marquis's flattering them to gain. Rufhw, time, provided he did not content to the calling a general affembly or par- P. 752, 762. liament, till they had difavowed and given up the covenant. When this was known both minifters and people declared with one voice, that they would as foon renounce their bapt fm, as their covenant; but withal a- vowed their duty and allegiance to the king, and their refolutions to ftand by
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=