ly in the case of graver offences, the number of which was
comparatively small, that a reproof was administered in the presence
of the congregation.--_Ed._]

312 [In the "Causes of the Lord's Wrath against Scotland, agreed upon by
the Commission of the General Assembly," 1650, "Backsliding and
defection from the covenants and our solemn vows and engagements,"
is specified (p. 46) to be "one of the greatest and most
comprehensive and provoking sins in the land." _Printed in the year
1653._--_Ed._]

313 [This is the language of a man who did not use "at any time
flattering words," or utter to his people "smooth things." From what
he says here, however, and in some other sermons, and from
corresponding evidence which might be adduced, we are forced to
conclude that the well-known description which Kirkton has given of
the state of religion in Scotland in those days, (Hist. of Ch. of
Scot. pp. 48, 54, 64) must be too highly coloured. The presence of a
large military force and a state of civil warfare could not but be
prejudicial, in various ways, to the religion and morality of a
country. I am perfectly aware that the authority of Lord Clarendon,
Bishop Burnet, Milton, and others, may be brought forward to prove
that the parliamentary soldiers were kept under the strictest
discipline, and were remarkable for their grave deportment. But I
know likewise that the characters of not a few of those soldiers are
seriously affected by the offensive details of the ecclesiastical
records of the parish with which Binning was connected.--_Ed._]

314 [See Note, p. 368.--_Ed._]

315 [Or together.--_Ed._]

316 [That is, explain.--_Ed._]

317 [Coldly or indifferently.--_Ed._]

318 [Languishing.--_Ed._]

319 ["Upon Sunday, the 27th of February [1642], a declaration was read
out of the old town pulpit [Aberdeen] by our minister, Mr William
Strahan, showing the state of the Protestants in Ireland, and how
their wives and bairns were miserably banished, and forced to flee
into the west parts of Scotland for refuge, and the land not able to
sustain them. It was found expedient that ilk parish within the
kingdom should receive a collection of ilk man's charity for their
help and support, whereupon was collected of this poor parish
fourscore pou