ntry seats, they were in
general, at this time, though from slight causes, much disgusted with
the court. Charles, from the natural piety or superstition of his
temper, was extremely attached to the ecclesiastics; and as it is
natural for men to persuade themselves that their interest coincides
with their inclination, he had established it as a fixed maxim of
policy, to increase the power and authority of that order. The prelates,
he thought, established regularity and discipline among the clergy; the
clergy inculcated obedience and loyalty among the people; and as that
rank of men had no separate authority and no dependence but on the
crown, the royal power, it would seem, might with the greater safety be
intrusted in their hands. Many of the prelates, therefore, were raised
to the chief dignities of the state;[*] Spotswood, archbishop of
St. Andrews, was created chancellor: nine of the bishops were privy
councillors: the bishop of Ross aspired to the office of treasurer:
some of the prelates possessed places in the exchequer: and it was even
endeavored to revive the first institution of the college of justice,
and to share equally between the clergy and laity the whole judicial
authority.[**]

* Rush. vol. ii. p. 386. May, p. 29.

** Guthry's Memoirs, p. 14 Burnet's Mem. p. 29, 30.

These advantages, possessed by the church, and which the bishops did not
always enjoy with suitable modesty, disgusted the haughty nobility, who,
deeming themselves much superior in rank and quality to this new
order of men, were displeased to find themselves inferior in power and
influence. Interest joined itself to ambition, and begat a jealousy lest
the episcopal sees, which at the reformation had been pillaged by the
nobles, should again be enriched at the expense of that order. By a most
useful and beneficial law, the impropriations had already been ravished
from the great men: competent salaries had been assigned to the
impoverished clergy from the tithes of each parish: and what remained,
the proprietor of the land was empowered to purchase at a low
valuation.[*] The king likewise, warranted by ancient law and practice,
had declared for a general resumption of all crown lands alienated by
his predecessors; and though he took no step towards the execution of
this project, the very pretension to such power had excited jealousy and
discontent.[**]

Notwithstanding the tender regard which Charles bore to the whole
church,