subscribe the covenant, and it was
laid upon him to preach the next sabbath, and tender the covenants
national and solemn league, and take his oath thereon; but he, judging
that such a rash and precipitate swearing of the covenants would not be
for the honour of the cause they were embarked in, did all he could to
deter the king and commissioners from doing it until he came to
Scotland; but when nothing would dissuade the king from his resolution,
it was done; for the king performed every thing that could have been
required of him; upon which Mr. Livingston observed, that it seems to
have been the guilt not only of commissioners, but of the whole kingdom,
yea of the church also, who knew the terms whereupon he was to be
admitted to his government; and yet without any evidence of a real
change upon his heart, and without forsaking former principles, counsels
and company.

After they landed in Scotland, before he took his leave of the king at
Dundee, he used some freedom with him. After speaking somewhat to him
anent his carriage, he advised him, that as he saw the English army
approaching in a most victorious manner, he would divert the stroke by a
declaration, or some such way, wherein he needed not weaken his right to
the crown of England, and not prosecute his title at present by fire and
sword, until the storm blew over, and then perhaps they would be in a
better case to be governed, &c. But he did not relish this motion
well, saying he would not wish to sell his father's blood; which made
Mr. Livingston conclude, that either he was not called to meddle in
state matters, or else he should have little success. Another instance
of this he gives us, _anno_ 1654, when he and Mr. Patrick Gillespie and
Mr. Minzies were called up by the protector to London, where he proposed
to him, that he would take off the heavy fines, that were laid on
severals in Scotland, which they were unable to pay; he seemed to like
the motion, but when he proposed the overture to the council, they went
not into the purpose.

While at London, preaching before the protector, he mentioned the king
in prayer, whereat some were greatly incensed; but Cromwel knowing Mr.
Livingston's influence in Scotland, said, "Let him alone; he is a good
man; and what are we poor men in comparison of the kings of England?"

The general assembly appointed some ministers, and him among the rest,
to wait upon the army and the committee of estates that resided with
th