making a supreme council of four members. In this manner was constructed one of the most active and efficient councils that ever guided the affairs of any community, vigilant, prompt, and ener getic, placed in the very centre of the body politic, conveying life and intelligence through its entire frame, and able to rouse it into instantaneous action at one thrilling call.

bled thousands, and were at once obeyed. The people quietly withdrew from the scene of agitating anxiety, committing the cause of the distressed Church to the protection of its divine Head and King

form of service contrary to the laws of God and this kingdom? Who dared, in their conventicles, contrive a form of God's public worship contrary to that established by the general consent of this Church and state?" "If any fault or violence have been committed by any of the subjects in resisting or seeking the abolition of that book, they might retort, that the bishops framing, and the council authorizing it, were the first and princi- When these exceedingly judicious arpal causes, necessitating either disobe- rangements had been completed, the dience to God, and breach of our laws, great body of the petitioners were solemnor else resisting those evils which would ly exhorted to return to their homes, to bring the judgment of God on the land."* reform their personal habits, to act accordThe next meeting of privy council was ing to their religious profession, and to held on the 15th of November. Again be earnest and constant in faith and did the Presbyterians assemble in the prayer to Him in whose hands are the capital, and in still increased numbers. hearts of kings, and from whom alone The council, apprehensive of a renewal they could hope for safety to the crown, of tumultuary commotions in the town, peace to the country, and deliverance to requested the nobles to use their influence the Church. These exhortations prowith their friends to induce them to re-duced a deep impression upon the assemturn quietly to their homes. The petitioners signified their willingness to make such an arrangement as would allow the greater part to withdraw, no more remaining than were requisite to conduct all necessary matters, and were empow-fearing God, and having no other fear. ered by the whole to act in their behalf. Following up this suggestion, which had indeed been so far practically employed before as a matter of convenience, it was arranged, that as many of the nobility as pleased, two gentlemen from every county, one minister from every presbytery, and one burgess from every burgh, should form a general commission, representing the whole body of the Presbyterians. Still more to concentrate their efforts, it was resolved that the general body of commissioners should meet only on extraordinary occasions, and a smaller number should be selected, who might reside permanently at Edinburgh, watch-tach some of their supporters by bribes ing the progress of events, and ready to communicate with the whole body on any emergency. This smaller committee was composed of sixteen personsfour noblemen, four gentlemen, four ministers, and four burgesses; and from the circumstance of their sitting in four separate rooms in the parliament-house, they were designated THE FOUR TAA member from each of these constituted a chief Table of last resort,

BLES.

* Rothes's Relation, p. 15.

About the beginning of December a meeting of privy council was appointed to be held at Linlithgow, to receive the communications transmitted from his majesty by the Earl of Roxburgh. The Tables were instantly on the alert, and summoned the whole of the commissioners of the Church to the capital, to be prepared for any emergency, but at the solicitation of Traquair and Roxburgh, consented to abstain from going to Linlithgow. There is reason to believe that Roxburgh had it in charge to employ every method by which the Presbyteri ans might be weakened; such as, to de

and promises of preferment, and to seize and imprison the leading men whom he could not otherwise influence; but the first method being indignantly rejected, the second was abandoned as too perilous. Three proclamations were, however, issued by the council; in one of which his majesty declared his abhorrence of Popery, and his determination to allow nothing but what should tend to the advancement of religion, "as it is presently professed within this his majesty's ancient

kingdom of Scotland; and that nothing | quence, honourable alike to the men and is, or will be, intended to be done therein to the cause. They are said to have proagainst the laudable laws of that his ma- duced such an impression upon Lord jesty's native kingdom." With this Lorn, afterwards Earl of Argyle, as to proclamation the Presbyterians saw no detach him from the prelatic party, and reason to be satisfied. It was but too to incline him to that of the Presbyterians, evident that its language was equivocal, of which he subsequently proved a steady and might be interpreted to mean, that and able supporter. his majesty would allow nothing but what should tend to the advancement of Prelacy, and that he regarded the laws establishing that system as laudable laws," which nothing should be done against. They resolved, therefore, to abide by their own plain and unequivocal complaints, and not to allow themselves to be circumvented and deceived, either by the arts of courtiers or the kingcraft of the sovereign.

In vain did Traquair and Roxburgh endeavour to persuade the petitioners to rest satisfied with the proclamation. Finding them on their guard in this matter, the next attempt was to induce the petitioners to divide their petitions, and make application separately, on the plea that by doing so their conduct would bear less the appearance of combination, and be proportionally less offensive to the king. But the Tables were aware of the maxim, "divide and conquer," and therefore refused to expose themselves and their cause to the danger of division and defeat. Yet once more did the council attempt to draw the Presbyterians into a snare, requesting them to abandon their accusation of the prelates, and to limit their petition to the subject of the Book of Canons and the Liturgy. This stratagem also failed, in consequence of the unalterable resolution of the Tables to adhere to the principles stated in their complaint, and to regard the prelates as parties accused of high offences against the National Church, which they had striven to subvert by the introduction of a hierarchy not recognised in its constitution. The privy council then attempted to evade receiving the general petition of the Tables; but such was the indefatigable perseverance of the Presbyterian leaders, that the council was in a manner besieged, and compelled to receive the deputation, and listen to their complaint. Baillie has preserved the speeches of the deputation, which are indeed a noble specimen of high religious principle, loyalty, and elo

Information of the state of affairs was sent by the privy council to the king, through the Earl of Traquair, accompanied by Hamilton of Orbiston, who was appointed to take charge of the petition and complaint of the Presbyterians. Some faint hopes were entertained, that when his majesty should receive full and accurate accounts of the real state of affairs in Scotland, he might be induced to .bandon the pernicious attempt to violate the conscience of an entire kingdom, by forcing upon the people religious ceremonies to which they were determinedly opposed; and a hierarchy which they both detested and feared. But unhappily for both the king and the kingdom, an evil agency was strenuously at work, prompting the misguided and obstinate monarch to provoke his destiny. Sir Robert Spotswood, president of the Court of Session, hastened to London, and, aided by Laud, prejudiced the mind of the king against all sound and wise council; and the archbishop, seconding his son's misrepresentations, suggested that the Presbyterians would submit, were his majesty to resort to measures more decisive than any he had yet adopted,—that it required but a proclamation condemning the proceeding of the Tables, and prohibiting them, under pain of treason, to put an end to the whole opposition. This advice was but too congenial to the despotic temper of Charles. It prevailed against the opinions of those who counselled a milder course; and Traquair was commanded to be in readiness to return to Scotland early in the following year, to bear down all opposition, and see his majesty's orders carried into effect.

[1638.] In the beginning of February 1638, the Earl of Traquair returned from England, bearing with him those arbitrary commands with which his majesty hoped to dishearten and disunite the Presbyterians. He was immediately request ed by some of the leading nobles to in form them respecting the nature of the

and the council entreated their leaders to | nant engagements to Him and His holy persuade them to withdraw, lest any tu-law. mult should arise; promising that no act This great idea re-assured their minds ; of ratification should be passed, and that yet they were aware that it would require their protest and declinature against the to be cautiously introduced to the notice of prelates sitting as members of council the weaker and less decided of the bre should be received. Yet no sooner had thren. A public fast was intimated, in the mass of the supplicants withdrawn, which the confession of the defections of than the council admitted two of the pre- the Church and nation formed naturally a lates, ratified the proclamation, and re- leading subject of the addresses which the fused to receive the protest and declinature; most eminent of the ministers were sethus violating their own pledged honour, lected to deliver to crowded audiences of and degrading the faith of courts beneath earnest and deep thinking men. In this the level of common falsehood. Several manner the idea of renewing the Covehigh-minded nobles, who had hitherto nant was infused into their minds, while supported the prelatic measures, recoiled the sacred duties in which they were enfrom the contamination of this act, and gaged had for a time entirely banished soon afterwards joined the Presbyterians. all narrow, selfish, and worldly consiThe publication of this proclamation in derations. On the immediately following other towns was met with equal prompti- day, Monday the 26th of February, the tude by a protest; and thus, according to subject was openly mentioned; and it the received opinions on such matters in was found that already there was a strong Scotland, the binding force of the procla- and very prevalent inclination to renew mation was neutralized, till the subjects the Covenant. Alexander Henderson of which it treated should be freely and and Johnston of Warriston were apfully discussed in Parliament and As- pointed to draw it up, and Rothes, Lousembly. don, and Balmerino to revise it. The These proceedings hastened on the utmost care was taken that it should concrisis. The Presbyterians now saw tain nothing which could justly give clearly that the king himself was deter-offence to even the most tender and scrumined to support the prelates, and ruin pulous conscience. Objections of every them, if in his power. Unless, therefore, kind were heard and considered, and they were prepared to bow their necks beneath prelatic despotism in the Church, and arbitrary power in the State, they must maintain their position; and to do so without a more decided and permanent bond of union than that which the Tables afforded was impossible. So reasoned the nobility. On the other hand, Henderson, Dickson, and some more of the leading men among the ministers, looking more deeply into the matter, became convinced that the Church and the nation were suffering the natural and penal consequences of their own defections. And calling to mind how greatly God had blessed the previous Covenants, in which the nation had bound itself by the most solemn obligations to put away all idolatry, superstition, and immorality, and to worship God in simplicity and faithfulness according to his own Word, they arrived at the important conclusion, that their duty and their safety were the same, and would consist in returning to God, and renewing their cove

forms of expression altered, so as to remove whatsoever might seem liable to objection. Baillie and the brethren of the west country appear to have been the most scrupulous, but all their difficulties were removed or answered.

The Covenant consisted of three parts ; the first, the Old Covenant of 1581, exactly as at first prepared; the second, the acts of Parliament condemning Popery, and confirming and ratifying the acts of the General Assembly, this was written by Johnston; and the third, the special application of the whole to present circumstances, this was the production of Henderson, displaying singular clearness of thought and soundness of judgment.

At length the important day, the 28th of February, dawned, in which Scotland was to resume her solemn covenant union with her God. All were fully aware, that on the great transaction of the day, and on the blessing of God upon it, would depend the welfare or the woe of the

Church and kingdom for generations to | silent. A solemn stillness followed, come. By day-break all the commis-deep, unbroken, sacred. Men felt the sioners were met; and the Covenant near presence of that dread Majesty to being now written out, it was read over, whom they were about to vow allegiance; and its leading propositions deliberately and bowed their souls before Him, in the examined, all being invited to express breathless awe of silent spiritual adora their opinions freely, and every objection tion. patiently heard and answered. From time to time there appeared some slightly doubtful symptoms, indicative of possible disunion; but these gradually gave way before the rising tide of sacred emotion with which almost every heart was heaving. Finally, it was agreed that all the commissioners who were in town, with as many of their friends as could attend, should meet at the Grayfriars church in the afternoon, to sign the bond of union with each other, and of covenant with God.

ters.

Rothes at length, with subdued tone, broke the silence, stating that if any had still objections to offer, they should repair if from the south or west parts of the kingdom, to the west door of the church, where their doubts would be heard and resolved by Loudon and Dickson; if from the north and east, to the east door where the same would be done by Henderson and himself, "Few came, proposed but few doubts, and these few were soon resolved." Again a deep and solemn pause ensued; not the pause of As the hour drew near, people from irresolution, but of modest diffidence, all quarters flocked to the spot; and be- each thinking every other more worthy fore the commissioners appeared, the than himself to place the first name upon church and churchyard were densely fil- this sacred bond. An aged nobleman, led with the gravest, the wisest, and the the venerable Earl of Sutherland, at last best of Scotland's pious sons and daugh- stepped slowly and reverentially forward, With the hour approached the and with throbbing heart and trembling men; Rothes, Loudon, Henderson, Dick- hand subscribed Scotland's Covenant son, and Johnston appeared, bearing a with God. All hesitation in a moment copy of the Covenant ready for signa- disappeared. Name followed name in ture. The meeting was then constituted swift succession, till all within the church by Henderson, in a prayer of very re- had given their signatures. It was then markable power, earnestness, and spirit- removed into the churchyard, and spread uality of tone and feeling. The dense out on a level grave-stone, to obtain the multitude listened with breathless rever-subscription of the assembled multitude. ence and awe, as if each man felt him- Here the scene became, if possible, still self alone in he presence of the Hearer more impressive. The intense emotions of prayer. When he concluded, the of many became irrepressible. Earl of Loudon stood forth, addressed the wept aloud; some burst into a shout of meeting, and stated, explained, and vindi- exultation; some, after their names, adcated the object for which they were as-ded the words, till death; and some sembled. He very judiciously directed their attention to the covenants of other days, when their venerated fathers had publicly joined themselves to the Lord, and had obtained support under their trials, and deliverance from every danger; pointed out the similarity of their position; and the consequent propriety and duty of fleeing to the same high tower of Almighty strength; and concluded by an appeal to the Searcher of hearts, that nothing disloyal or treasonable was meant. Johnston then unrolled the vast sheet of parchment, and in a clear and steady voice read the Covenant aloud. He finished, and stood

Some

opening a vein, subscribed with their own warm blood. As the space became filled, they wrote their names in a contracted form, limiting them at last to the initial letters, till not a spot remained on which another letter could be inscribed. There was another pause. The nation had framed a Covenant in former days, and had violated its engagements: hence the calamities in which it had been and was involved. If they, too, should break this sacred bond, how deep would be their guilt! Such seem to have been their thoughts during this period of silent communing with their own hearts; for, as if moved by one spirit,-and doubtless they