"By letters from Scotland we were this day advertised that the Estates of Edinburgh have sent up their determination to the Commissioners at Worcester House. One, 'That Presbyterian government be established, as that which will suit best with monarchy.'"
It was commonly said at Newcastle, that his Majesty would take the Covenant.
[585] Charles I. in 1646, 63, 86.
[586] Charles I. in 1646, 6, 11. See also Ogle's letter, printed in this volume, p. 306.
[587] Ibid., 24. In reading Charles's correspondence we observe that, whatever may be said of fanatical ideas of providence entertained by Puritans, ideas equally fanatical were entertained by the King.—See Mr. Bruce's Introduction to the volume of Letters.
[588] See Journals under date. Godwin, in his Commonwealth, ii. 66, 236, 246, after a careful examination of the Journals on the subject, explains distinctly the series of enactments with regard to the establishment of Presbyterianism.
[589] Baillie, ii. 357. "They have passed an ordinance, not only for appeal from the General Assembly to the Parliament, for two ruling elders, for one minister in every church-meeting, for no censure, except in such particular offences as they have enumerat; but also, which vexes us most, and against which we have been labouring this month bygone, a court of civil commissioners in every county, to whom the congregational elderships must bring all cases not enumerat, to be reported by them, with their judgment, to the Parliament or their Committee. This is a trick of the Independents' invention, of purpose to enervate and disgrace all our Government, in which they have been assisted by the lawyers and the Erastian party. This troubles us exceedingly. The whole Assembly and ministry over the kingdom, the body of the city, is much grieved with it; but how to help it, we cannot well tell. In the meantime, it mars us to set up anything; the anarchy continues, and the vilest facts do daily encrease."
[590] Husband, 919.
[591] Neal, iii. 385.
[592] Scobell, (1647-8,) 139, 165.