he point and power of the "English Popish
Ceremonies," he might not unnaturally conclude, that Argyle's caution
against what might be, had been caused by what had already been beginning
to appear in the language of the youthful preacher.

The course of public affairs swept rapidly onward, though certainly not in
such a channel as to gratify the lovers of arbitrary power and
superstition. The King, enraged to find his beloved Prelacy overthrown at
once and entirely, prepared to force it upon the Scottish Covenanted
Church and people by force of arms. The Covenanters stood on the
defensive, and met the invading host on the Border, prepared to die rather
than submit to the loss of religious liberty. But the English army was
little inclined to fight in such a cause. They had felt the king's tyranny
and the oppression of their own prelates, and were not disposed to destroy
that liberty, so nobly won by Scotland, for which they were themselves
most earnestly longing. A peace ensued. The King granted that spiritual
liberty which he was unable to withhold; and the ministers who had
accompanied the Scottish army, returned to the discharge of their more
peaceful duties. But this peace proved of short duration. The King levied
a new and more powerful army, and again declared war against his Scottish
subjects. Again the Covenanters resumed their weapons of defence, and
marched towards the Border, a number of the most eminent ministers, among
whom was Gillespie, being required to accompany the army, and empowered to
act as a presbytery. It was, however, judged necessary to anticipate the
approach of the English by entering England. This bold movement changed
the nature of the contest for the time, because the English parliament
felt the utmost jealousy of the King's despotic designs, and would not
grant him the necessary support. Negotiations for peace were begun at
Ripon, and transferred to London. This rendered it necessary for the
Scottish Commissioners for the peace to reside at London. Henderson,
Blair, Baillie and Gillespie accompanied the Commissioners to London,
resided with them there in the capacity of chaplains, and availed
themselves of the opportunity thus afforded, for proving to the people of
England that presbyterian ministers were not such rude and ignorant men as
their prelatic calumniators had asserted. The effect of their preaching
was astonishing, as even Clarendon, their prejudiced and bitter reviler,
admits. Wh