e most of the committee of
estates, and commission of the kirk, would have been content to let
him go; but finding no man tolerably able to supply his place, and
the greatest part of the remaining officers of horse and foot
peremptory to lay down, if he continued not; and after all trials
finding no maladministration on him to count of, but the removal of
the army from the hill the night before the rout, which yet was a
consequence of the committee's order, contrary to his mind, to stop
the enemy's retreat, and for that end to storm Broxmouth house as
soon as possible. On these considerations the state, unanimously did
with all earnestness entreat him to keep still his charge against
this order, my Lord Wariston, and, as I suppose Sir John Cheesly,
did enter their dissent. I am sure Mr. James Guthrie did his, at
which, as a great impertinency, many were offended. Col. Strachan
offered to lay down his charge, being unwilling more to be commanded
by D. Lesly. Some more inclined to do so, but all were quieted by
this expedient."--Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. p. 350.--_Ed._]

397 [The religious zeal of Binning, his patriotism, and his dread of
arbitrary power were, it is clear, stronger than his loyalty. Sir
Edward Walker, however, vouches for the loyalty, at this period, of
the Scottish nation in general. "For the disposition of the people,"
he says, (Hist. Disc. p. 194) "they are generally for the king and
his government, being most under the notion of Malignants and
Engagers, about 100 of 120 noblemen being in that condition. Most of
the Gentry are very loyal, and in a manner all the common people."
Binning's language respecting Charles II. at the time of passing the
Public Resolutions, appears to have startled his co-presbyter,
Principal Baillie, who writes thus in a letter which was first
designed for his friend Mr. Dickson, but afterwards sent to Mr.
Spang at Campvere.--"Mr. Patrick [Gillespie] and Mr. James Guthrie,
wherever they came, uttered their passion. I heard one who had
married Mr. Patrick's sister's daughter report to Mr. Douglas, that
Mr. Hugh Binning, with Mr. Patrick, in Kirkaldy, had spoke like a
distracted man, saying to Mr. Douglas's own wife, and the young man
himself, and his mother-in-law, Mr. Patrick's si