al and exposed to the senses, it was apprehended that the chief
difficulty would consist.

The liturgy which the king, from his own authority, imposed on Scotland,
was copied from that of England: but, lest a servile imitation might
shock the pride of his ancient kingdom, a few alterations, in order to
save appearances, were made in it; and in that shape it was transmitted
to the bishops at Edinburgh.[**] But the Scots had universally
entertained a notion, that, though riches and worldly glory had been
shared out to them with a sparing hand, they could boast of spiritual
treasures more abundant and more genuine than were enjoyed by any
nation under heaven. Even their southern neighbors, they thought, though
separated from Rome, still retained a great tincture of the primitive
pollution; and their liturgy was represented as a species of mass,
though with some less show and embroidery.[***] Great prejudices,
therefore, were entertained against it, even considered in itself; much
more when regarded as a preparative, which was soon to introduce into
Scotland all the abominations of Popery. And as the very few alterations
which distinguished the new liturgy from the English, seemed to approach
nearer to the doctrine of the real presence, this circumstance was
deemed an undoubted confirmation of every suspicion with which the
people were possessed.[****]

* Clarendon, vol. i. p. 105.

** King's Decl. p. 18. May, p. 32.

*** King's Decl. p. 20.

**** Burnet's Mem. p. *8*1. Rush. vol. ii. p. 396. May, p.
31.

Easter-day was, by proclamation, appointed for the first reading of
the service in Edinburgh: but in order to judge more surely of men's
dispositions, the council delayed the matter till the twenty-third of
July; and they even gave notice, the Sunday before, of their intention
to commence the use of the new liturgy. As no considerable symptoms
of discontent appeared, they thought that they might safely proceed in
their purpose; and accordingly, in the cathedral church of St. Giles,
the dean of Edinburgh, arrayed in his surplice, began the service;
the bishop himself and many of the privy council being present. But
no sooner had the dean opened the book than a multitude of the meanest
sort, most of them women, clapping their hands, cursing, and crying out,
"A pope, a pope! Antichrist! stone him!" raised such a tumult that it
was impossible to proceed with the service. The bishop, mounting the