ill in an
ardent passion for propagating, by all methods, that mode of religion in
the neighboring kingdoms. Having flattered themselves, in the fervor of
their zeal, that by supernatural assistances they should be enabled to
carry their triumphant covenant to the gates of Rome itself, it behoved
them first to render it prevalent in England, which already showed so
great a disposition to receive it. Even in the articles of pacification,
they expressed a desire of uniformity in worship with England; and the
king, employing general expressions, had approved of this inclination as
pious and no sooner was there an appearance of a rupture, than the English
parliament, in order to allure that nation into a close confederacy,
openly declared their wishes of ecclesiastical reformation, and of
imitating the example of their northern brethren.[*] When war was
actually commenced, the same artifices were used, and the Scots beheld,
with the utmost impatience, a scene of action of which they could not
deem themselves indifferent spectators. Should the king, they said, be
able by force of arms to prevail over the parliament of England, and
reestablish his authority in that powerful kingdom, he will undoubtedly
retract all those concessions which, with so many circumstances of
violence and indignity, the Scots have extorted from him. Besides a
sense of his own interest, and a regard to royal power, which has been
entirely annihilated in this country, his very passion for prelacy and
for religious ceremonies must lead him to invade a church which he has
ever been taught to regard as anti-Christian and unlawful. Let us but
consider who the persons are that compose the factions now so furiously
engaged in arms. Does not the parliament consist of those very men who
have ever opposed all war with Scotland, who have punished the authors
of our oppressions, who have obtained us the redress of every grievance,
and who, with many honorable expressions, have conferred on us an
ample reward for our brotherly assistance? And is not the court full
of Papists, prelates, malignants; all of them zealous enemies to
our religious model, and resolute to sacrifice their lives for their
idolatrous establishments? Not to mention our own necessary security can
we better express our gratitude to Heaven for that pure light with which
we are, above all nations, so eminently distinguished, than by conveying
the same divine knowledge to our unhappy neighbors, who