Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/490

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472
History of the Nonjurors.

troubles of 1745, and 1746.[1] It is remarked by Bishop Russell, that "the Scottish Bishops for twenty years after being umpires became parties," in the disputes concerning the usages.[2] Campbell resigned his post in Scotland in consequence of these practices, and resided in London. His work on "The Middle State," is written on principles involved in the usages.[3] We have seen, too, that other divisions existed respecting the appointment of Bishops. Still the Church was in a flourishing state when the Rebellion broke out. The Nonjurors, however, were not the only party from whose ranks the supporters of the Rebellion were drawn. Many who had taken the Oaths were also implicated: and many Presbyterians, as well as Nonjurors, enrolled themselves under the Pretender's standard.[4] Skinner observes, that whether their Church "was blameable or not, she was soon involved in the dismal consequences of it." Meeting-houses were burnt down by the soldiers in the villages; and in the towns they were shut up or demolished. The Clergy were obliged to live in concealment, being suspected. The laws were suspended for three months, and a military government established. An Act also was


  1. Keith, 509–512.
  2. Keith, Preface, xxviii.
  3. Keith, 530, 531, 532.
  4. Skinner, ii. 662. I have already refuted the assertion that the people in 1688 were generally Presbyterians: but it may be added, that there were, in 1740, after all the sufferings to which they had been exposed, three hundred Episcopal Clergymen, in Scotland, with large and respectable congregations. This fact is cited by Bishop Walker, as a proof that the Episcopal Church could not have been so contrary to the inclinations of the people, as was represented. The Bishop remarks, that if Episcopal principles had not obtained a firm hold on the affections of the people, they could not have survived the restrictions imposed in 1716. Bishop Walker's Charge, pp. 36, 37.