VII. 1661. BOOK His assertions were confirmed by Sharp; but the king, who had observed the former repugnance of the nation to ecclesiastical pre-eminence, was still indifferent or averse from a change. His mind was secretly impressed with the artful, yet judicious suggestions of Lauderdale, that episcopacy was recommended by none but those who solicited preferment; that the introduction of prelates, in opposition to public and inveterate prejudices, might alienate the nation which it was his interest to conciliate; and that the preservation of their order, instead of contributing to the authority, would require the constant support and protection of government. But his English and Irish ministers, Clarendon and Ormond, affirmed that it would be very difficult to preserve the epis-copal church, especially in Ireland, from the fury of the dissenters, unless the example of presbytery were removed from their view. Amidst such discordant sentiments, the propriety of the attempt was referred to the privy council of Scotland, where the imprisonment of the earl of Tweedale, for his opposition in parliament to the execution of Guthry, had repressed all freedom of opinion or debate. Glencairn the chancellor, who proposed an humble and moderate episcopacy, procured a report that the intended change would give general satisfaction; and the revival of the hierarchy was no longer deferred. When Lauderdale was admonished by Charles, that the presbyterian religion * VII. 1661. cration of was unfit for a gentleman, and improper to be BOOK continued, that obsequious politician urged, with an insidious violence, the innovation which he could no longer prevent; and thus the intolerant bigotry of Clarendon, the corrupt ambition of some statesmen, and the servile pliancy and adulation of others, betrayed the king into the most pernicious measures of the two preceding reigns.18 The suffragan bishops were recommended by And conse Sharp, on whom the metropolitan see of St. An- prelates. drews was bestowed. But as Sydserf alone, of the former prelates, survived at the restoration, it was necessary to resort again to the English church, for that apostolical succession which a single bishop is unable to confer. Had the restoration been delayed for a few years, the English church might have expired herself with her aged prelates; and the nation, reduced to a dire dilemma, must have acknowledged the presbyterial ordination to the priesthood as valid, or have solicited a new consecration from the Romish fane. But her danger did not inspire moderation. At the consecration of Spotiswood, the subordinate orders of priesthood had been conferred or supplied by the epis copal character; but Sharp and Leighton were required, before they were consecrated, to submit to episcopal ordination, as deacons and priests, The ordination of Fairfoul and Hamilton was 19 Wodrow, i. 96. Burnet, i. 187. VIL. BOOK strictly canonical, and the four bishops were dis missed, when duly consecrated, to propagate the 1662. apostolical order in Scotland. They were received and conducted to the capital, by the chancellor and nobility in solemn procession, No mark of ex ternal respect or pomp was omitted, to impress the people with veneration and esteem, When the parliament was resumed, they were invited by a deputation from each estate, and introduced in triumph to their ancient seats. But their reve, nues were inadequate to their rank; and their characters were unequal to the stations to which they were unexpectedly preferred. Leighton, the most learned and respectable of their number, united the most devout and ascetic virtues, with an indulgent charity and extensive toleration, But the rest were remiss in the discharge of their functions, and were distinguished rather by zeal than sanctity; the violence of Sharp was no longer disguised; and they were destitute of that mode, ration and of those talents which were necessary to recall and conciliate a disaffected church.19 Episcopal. The second session of parliament commenced ment, with the government of the church, the regula tion of whose external polity, according to the established laws and advice of bishops, was trans ferred to the king, The authority of presbyteries, govern May Sth. 19 Burnet, i. 191. 200-5. Baillie, ii. 460. Wodrow, i. 101-14, 15, BOOK VII. 1662. by parlia and of provincial and general assemblies, was annulled. The prelates, released from every restraint but the advice of ministers whose prudence or loyalty they might choose to consult, were restored to the plenitude of their former privileges, and to the supreme and exclusive jurisdiction in ecclesiastical affairs. The covenants were repealed and ab- established jured as unlawful oaths; and whatever might tend ment. to excite a dislike to the prerogative, supremacy, or episcopal government, was punished as sedition. The rights of patronage were revived. The clergy who had been admitted since its abrogation, were deprived of all title to their livings; and were required, within four months, to procure a presentation from their patrons, and collation from the bishops; to acknowledge their authority, and to attend their visitations and diocesan synods. The prelates introduced by James, had assumed nothing more than precedence, a share in ordination, and a negative voice in the assemblies of the church. The clergy continued to meet in presbyteries, and as there was no remedy, they had submitted to an usurpation which might innovate, without annulling the constitution or authority of their ecclesiastical courts. While they sat with their bishops, upon different principles, in the same tribunals, their opposition was confined within their own walls; or was suffered to evaporate in idle protestations, and, amidst all the vicissitudes of govern. ment, the unity of the church was at least pre BOOK served. But in these acts, from the violent and VII. 1962. Act of indemnity. precipitate ambition of Sharp, the foundations of episcopal government were inverted, and the whole power was transferred to the prelates. When the presbyteries and other judicatures were first interrupted, and then held as diocesan assemblies, the old and rigid presbyterians refused to sit or assist as the bishops officials, and prepared to secede. They protested that it was hard indeed to submit to his authority, but that it was impossible, without violence to their conscience, to acknowledge the exorbitance of his episcopal power. Men of the former episcopal persuasion, were dissatisfied at the exemption of the bishops from ecclesiastical control; and an imperious system of ecclesiastical polity, to which the nation, that could be reconciled only by lenient measures, must have been hostile, was universally disapproved.20 When episcopal government was thus established, an act of indemnity and oblivion was no longer deferred; if indeed an act, more oppressive than indulgent, can deserve that name. An unconditional indemnity was recommended by Lauderdale, as the sufferings of the nation, ever since the engagement, and its services in promoting the restoration, were entitled to the same indulgence and grace with England. Unhappily, Middleton's presentations prevailed at court, that the royalists 20 Wodrow. Burnet, i. 203. |