themselves. Hamilton speaks of three clergymen of this description
as follows:--

"They pretended great zeal against the Indulgence; but alas! that
was all their practice, otherwise being but very gross, which I
shall but hint at in short. When great Cameron and those with him
were taking many a cold blast and storm in the fields and among the
cot-houses in Scotland, these three had for the most part their
residence in Glasgow, where they found good quarter and a full
table, which I doubt not but some bestowed upon them from real
affection to the Lord's cause; and when these three were together,
their greatest work was who should make the finest and sharpest
roundel, and breathe the quickest jests upon one another, and to
tell what valiant acts they were to do, and who could laugh loudest
and most heartily among them; and when at any time they came out to
the country, whatever other things they had, they were careful each
of them to have a great flask of brandy with them, which was very
heavy to some, particularly to Mr Cameron, Mr Cargill, and Henry
Hall--I shall name no more."--Faithful Contendings, p. 198.]

Thus backed and comforted, Poundtext resolved magnanimously to await the
coming of the Cameronians to the general rendezvous.

Burley and his confederates had drawn together a considerable body of
these sectaries, amounting to a hundred horse and about fifteen hundred
foot, clouded and severe in aspect, morose and jealous in communication,
haughty of heart, and confident, as men who believed that the pale of
salvation was open for them exclusively; while all other Christians,
however slight were the shades of difference of doctrine from their own,
were in fact little better than outcasts or reprobates. These men entered
the presbyterian camp, rather as dubious and suspicious allies, or
possibly antagonists, than as men who were heartily embarked in the same
cause, and exposed to the same dangers, with their more moderate brethren
in arms. Burley made no private visits to his colleagues, and held no
communication with them on the subject of the public affairs, otherwise
than by sending a dry invitation to them to attend a meeting of the
general council for that evening.

On the arrival of Morton and Poundtext at the place of assembly, they
found their brethren already seated. Slight greeting passed between them,
and it was eas