a book supposed to be written by Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, was published to this purpose.

His Majesty considering the good success of his former fleet, fits out another in the year 1636, under the command of the Earl of Northumber

northwards,

of the Holland duced them to his Majesty to the King upon tions granted Several genhad refused to tion of ship mothe rest Mr. inghamshire, Majesty refers ness to his twelve chaelmas term, whom, that is,

Finch, Daven

Jones, Trever,

Crawly, Weston,

ments against

associates, and

names to be in

MR. PRYNNE.

Gourts of Westminster Hall; but Hutton and this year March 17, the King's third daughter,

was born.

: In the thirhis Majesty's Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Bur

a severe cen

ting against their governbeing allthree pay five thoufine to the

their ears in

land, who going scoured the seas Busses, and re-. desire leave of fish there; which divers considera them.

tlemen of quality pay the imposiney, and among HamdenofBuckupon which his the whole busijudges in Mi1636. Ten of Brampton, port, Denham, Vernon, Berkly, gave their judgHamden and his subscribed their rolled in all the Crook refused it: the Princess Ann

teenth year of reign, 1637, Mr. Prynne, ton received sure for wriBishops and ment; they sentenced to sand pounds King, to lose the pillory,

Bishop Williams of Lincoln, having the great seal taken from him in the first year of his Majesty's reign, he so deeply resented it, that ever after he studied revenge; and a bill being preferred against him in the Star-Chamber for some dishonourable speeches of the King, he endeavoured by some indirect means to clear his innocence, and was therefore this year sentenced ten thousand pounds fine to the King, imprisonment in the Tower during pleasure, to be suspended ab Officiis, & Beneficiis, from his bishoprick, and the profits thereof, and to be referred to the high commission court as to what concerned them.

His Majesty desiring an uniformity of religion in England and Scotland (a thing before designed by King James) in pursuance thereof enjoined the Scots the use of the English Liturgy, the Surplice, and other habiliments, and began first at his own Chapel; and in this year 1637, proclamation was made that the same order should be observed in all Churches, wherewith the Bishops were contented but not the Kirk, nor the People; who were so inraged thereat, that when the Dean of Edinburgh began to read the Common Prayer in St. Giles' Church with his surplice on, July 13, the Council, Bishops, Lords, and Magistrates, being present: the women, and then the ordinary sort of men, made such a disturbance and noise with cursing, clapping their hands, and so great rudeness, that nothing could be heard, but their clamours; upon which the Bishop of Edinburgh, who was to preach that day, stept up into the pulpit to reprove them; which increasing their fury, they assault him with such a shower of stones, seats, stools, cudgels, and whatever else was near; that his life was much endangered thereby, and the Archbishop of Lord Chanposing, was been as rudely not the Proand others trouble turners out of the

Dean then

read the Ser

though

not

St. Andrews cellor, inter like to have handled, had vost, Bailiffs with much ed these riotChurch, the proceeding to vice Book, without great

noise from the multitude about the Church. The like disturbances hap pened in other places, but in the afternoon the Book was again read without much trouble, after which some of the disturbers were seized and

punished, but with no great severity; and the Ministers were promised protection and maintenance in reading it; so that all at present seemed calm and quiet, till after harvest; at which time such a confluence of people came to Edinburgh, as gave just cause to the council to fear an insurrection; to prevent which they issued out several proclamations, That no Church matters should be resolved on, but that all persons depart home, unless they can shew some cause to the Council, upon pain of rebellion.

Yet this was so little regarded by the people, that the Bishop of Galloway going the next day to the Council was pursued and assaulted by them even to the Council Chamber; and being with difficulty got in, the house was presently encompassed, and his person peremptorily demanded, upon which those within required aid of the Provost and Council of Edinburgh; but their condition was as bad, being likewise beset in their town-house by the people, who would not let them go out till they had subscribed, 1. To join in opposition to the service book, and in petitioning to that purpose. 2. To restore two or three of their silenced ministers. Which being related to the Council, the Lord Traquair and another went in person to the town house were they found the tumult somewhat quieted by those concessions, but in coming back, they were furiously assaulted in the Grass-street, and the L. Traquair was trodden under foot, his hat, cloak, and white wand, was taken away, and himself hauled to the Council House. The Lords whereof weighing their own danger, sent secretly to some of those noblemen and gentlemen who disliked the Service Book, and were then assembled in the common cause against it; by whom they were safely guarded through the multitude, to their several houses.

And now judging themselves secure, they make proclamation for breaking up all conventions and keeping the peace, which had the contrary effect. Two petitions being presented to them: one from the common sort of men, women and children, the other in the name of the noblemen, gentlemen and ministry, against the ServiceBook and Canons, these petitions were sent to the King, who being offended therewith, adjourned the term to Sterling, and by proclamation forbad upon extremest penalty, such tumultuous meetings: against which proclamation the Earl of Hume, the. Lord Lindsey, and divers others, made protestation; and in pursuance thereof they set up four tables or committees. 1. Of the Nobility. 2. Of the Gentry. 3. Of the Barons. 4. Of the Ministry; to prepare matters for the General Council, consisting of several commissioners taken out of the other.

The next year 1638, the Scots entered into a Solemn League and Covenant as they termed it, which being a thing of note, I thought it not impertinent to set down at large (saith the continuator of Sir Richard Baker's Chronicle, licensed by authority in 1665,) since it is known to have been a matter of no less remark and consideration than whatever this age hath produced extraordinary; it was designed by the Scots in opposition to the English Liturgy and Service Book, recommended to them by A.B. Laud, and the English prelacy; and ordered to be taken throughout all that nation, but when the parliament of England desired the assistance of that kingdom (as you will find hereafter) a confederacy was then entered into between both nations; one of the conditions whereof was, that the people as well of England and Ireland, as Scotland, should take this solemn League and Covenant; but though it was soon laid aside in this nation as a thing out of date, by those who pretended higher dispensations, yet for the time it was received by us from our brethren of Scotland with high veneration and esteem; but such is the mutability of affairs below, that those things which at one time have been held most sacred and inviolable, have at another time been reduced to the lowest ebb of ignominy and contempt; and such was the fate of this once so venerable Oath, which by the same parliamentary authority by which it was at first voted up into the strictest observance, and as it were adoration, came at length to be sentenced and condemned after the manner of most exccrable malefactors; the form of this covenant was as followeth:

We Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by the providence of God living -under one king, and being of one reformed religion, having before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty and his posterity, and the true publick liberty, safety, and peace of the kingdoms; wherein every one's private condition is included and calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts, and practices of the enemies of God against the true religion and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three kingdoms, ever since the reformation of religion; and how much their rage, power, and presumption, are of late, and at this time increased and exercised; whereof, the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England, and the dangerous state of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, are present and publick testimonies; we have now at last (after other means of supplication, remonstrance,

protestations, and sufferings) for the preservation of ourselves and religion from utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of God's people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual SOLEMN LEAGUE AND CONVENANT, wherein we all subscribe; and each one of us for ourself, with our hands lifted up to the most high God, do swear:

1. That we will sincerely, really and constantly, through the grace of God endeavour in our several places and callings the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, according to the word of God, and the examples of the best reformed Churches: and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three kingdoms, to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of Church-government, directory for worship, and catechizing; that we, and our posterity after us may as brethren live in faith and love, and the Lord, may delight to dwell in the midst of us. 2. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, Church-government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-Deacons, and other all ecclesiastical officers depending on that hierarchy) superstition, heresie, schism, prophaneness, and whatsover shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine, and to the power of godliness; lest we partake of other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues; and that the Lord may be one, and his name one in the three kingdoms. 3. We shall with the same sincerity, reality, and constancy, in our several vocations, endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the rights and privileges of the parliament, and the liberties of the kingdoms, and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty's person and authority, in the preservation and the defence of the true religion, and liberties of the kingdoms; that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatness. 4. We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been, or shall be incendiaries, malignants, or evil instruments, by hindring the reformation of religion, dividing the King from his people, or one of the kingdoms from another, or making any faction or parties among the people, contrary to his LEAGUE AND COVENANT; that they