otland, in order to have his coronation performed there[111].
At which time he dignified several of the Scots nobility with higher
titles of honour; and among the rest this nobleman, who was created earl
of Loudon May 12th, 1633.

It appears, that from his youth he had been well affected to the
presbyterian interest, for no sooner did that reformation (commonly
called the second reformation) begin to take air, which was about the
year 1637, than he appeared a principal promoter thereof, and that not
only in joining these petitioners, afterwards called the covenanters,
but also when the general assembly sat down at Glasgow in Nov. 1638, he
thought it his honour to attend the same in almost every session
thereof, and was of great service both by his advice in difficult cases,
and also by several excellent speeches that he delivered therein. As
witness Upon the very entry, when the difference arose between the
marquis of Hamilton the king's commissioner, and some of the rest, anent
choosing a clerk to the assembly, the marquis refusing to be assisted by
Traquair and Sir Lewis Stuart, urged several reasons for compliance with
his majesty's pleasure, &c. and at last renewed his protest, where
upon lord Loudon, in name of commissioners to the assembly, gave in
reasons of a pretty high strain, why the lord commissioner and his
assessors ought to have but one vote in the assembly, &c. Of these
reasons Traquair craved a double, and promised to answer them, but it
appears never found leisure for this employment.

About this time, he told the king's commissioner roundly, "They knew no
other bonds betwixt a king and his subjects but religion and laws; and
if these were broken, mens lives were not dear to them. They would not
be so; such fears were past with them[112]."

The king and the bishops being galled to the heart to see that, by the
assembly, presbytery was almost restored, and prelacy well nigh
abolished, he immediately put himself at the head of an army in order to
reduce them, &c. The Scots, hearing of the preparation, provided as
well as they could. Both armies marched towards the border, but upon the
approach of the Scots, the English were moved with great timidity,
whereupon ensued a pacification.----Commissioners being appointed to
treat on both sides, the Scots were permitted to make known their
desires; the lord Loudon being one of the Scots commissioners, upon his
knees said, "That their demand was only to enjoy