putting,
therefore, out of consideration the fact libelled, and looking both at
the head and the tail of the proceeding, I was of a firm persuasion, that
all the sculduddery of the business might have been well spared from the
eye of the public, which is of itself sufficiently prone to keek and
kook, in every possible way, for a glimpse of a black story; and,
therefore, I thought it my duty to stand up in all places against the
trafficking that was attempted with a divine institution. And I think,
when my people read how their prelatic enemies, the bishops (the heavens
defend the poor Church of Scotland from being subjected to the weight of
their paws), have been visited with a constipation of the understanding
on that point, it must to them be a great satisfaction to know how clear
and collected their minister was on this fundamental of society. For it
has turned out, as I said to Mrs. Pringle, as well as others, it would
do, that a sense of grace and religion would be manifested in some
quarter before all was done, by which the devices for an unsanctified
repudiation or divorce would be set at nought.

As often as I could, deeming it my duty as a minister of the word and
gospel, I got into the House of Lords, and heard the trial; and I cannot
think how ever it was expected that justice could be done yonder; for
although no man could be more attentive than I was, every time I came
away I was more confounded than when I went; and when the trial was done,
it seemed to me just to be clearing up for a proper beginning--all which
is a proof that there was a foul conspiracy. Indeed, when I saw Duke
Hamilton's daughter coming out of the coach with the queen, I never could
think after, that a lady of her degree would have countenanced the queen
had the matter laid to her charge been as it was said. Not but in any
circumstance it behoved a lady of that ancient and royal blood, to be
seen beside the queen in such a great historical case as a trial.

I hope, in the part I have taken, my people will be satisfied; but
whether they are satisfied or not, my own conscience is content with me.
I was in the House of Lords when her majesty came down for the last time,
and saw her handed up the stairs by the usher of the black-rod, a little
stumpy man, wonderful particular about the rules of the House, insomuch
that he was almost angry with me for stopping at the stair-head. The
afflicted woman was then in great spirits, and I saw n