with the highest resentment (such was the way to
hearken to his counsel); for if debauchery and dissimulation had ever
been accounted among the liberal sciences, then this prince was
altogether a master in that faculty[96].

In the mean time January 1. 1651, the king was crowned at Scone, where
after an excellent sermon by Mr. Robert Douglas from 2 Kings ii. 17, the
king took the coronation oath, then sitting down in the chair of state
(after some other ceremonies were performed), the marquis of Argyle
taking the crown in his hands, (Mr. Douglas prayed) he set it on the
king's head; and so ascending the stage, attended by the officers of the
crown, he was installed unto the royal throne by Archibald marquis of
Argyle, saying, "Stand, &c. fast from henceforth the place whereof you
are the lawful and righteous heir, by a long and lineal succession of
your fathers, which is now delivered to you by the authority of God
Almighty.[97]" Then the solemnity was concluded by a pertinent
exhortation, both to king and people, wherein they were certified, that
if they should conspire together against the kingdom of Jesus Christ,
both supporters and supported should fall together.

But the king's forces having been before that defeated by Cromwel at
Dunbar, and being no longer able to make head against the English, he
went for England, and here by his particular allowance the marquis of
Argyle (after kissing his hand) was left at Stirling. But the king's
army being totally routed on the third of September at Worcester, and
from thence driven from all his dominions; in the mean time the English
over-run the whole country, so that the representatives of the nation
were either obliged to take the tender, or else suffer great hardships,
which tender the marquis had refused at Dunbarton, whereupon they
resolved to invade the highlands and the shire of Argyle, being inclosed
on all hands with regiments of foot and horse. Major Dean coming to the
marquis's house at Inverary where he was lying sick, presented a paper,
which he behoved to subscribe against to-morrow, or else be carried off
prisoner, which (though sore against his will) for his own and his
vassals and tenants safety he was obliged to subscribe with some
alterations, which capitulation was made a mighty handle against him
afterwards. And although he had some influence upon the usurper, and was
present at several meetings wherein he procured an equal hearing to the
protestors a