250

1IISTOEY OP EKG1AND.

CHAP.X] II.

1689 .

priests were called — were expelled. The graver Covenanters,while they applauded the fervour *of their riotous brethren,were apprehensive that proceedings so irregular might givescandal, and learned, with especial concern, that here andthere an Achan had disgraced the good cause by stooping toplunder the Canaanites whom he ought only to have smitten.A general meeting of ministers and elders w r as called for thepurpose of preventing such discreditable excesses. In thismeeting it was determined that, for the future, the ejection ofthe established clergy should be performed in a more cere-monious manner A form of notice was drawn up and servedon every curate in the Western Lowlands who had not yet beenrabbled. This notice was simply a threatening letter, com-manding him to quit his parish peaceably, on pain of beingturned out by force.*

The Scottish Bishops, in great dismay, sent the Dean ofGlasgow to plead the cause of their persecuted Church at West-minster. The outrages committed by the Covenanters were inthe highest degree oifensive to William, who had, in the southof the island, protected even Benedictines and Franciscansfrom insult and spoliation. But, though he had, at the requestof a large number of the noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland,taken on himself provisionally the executive administration ofthat kingdom, the means of maintaining order there were notat his command. He had not a single regiment north of theTweed, or indeed within many miles of that river. It was vainto hope that mere words would quiet a nation which had not, inany age, been very amenable to control, and which was nowagitated by hopes and resentments, such as great revolutions,following great oppressions, naturally engender. A proclama-tion was however put forth, directing that all people should lay

* The form of notice will be found in the book entitled Faithful Con-tendings Displayed.