be
condemned by those who are servilely attached to their own particular
communion, and disposed to extend the line of separation between
themselves and others, even beyond the limits prescribed by their own
canonical rules; but it will be approved of by all whose charity is not
bounded by their own narrow pale; who, when they agree with others
respecting the fundamental doctrines of religion, would grant to them, as
to smaller matters, the toleration they claim for themselves; and who,
withal, believe, that much of that asperity and jealousy which disturb the
peace, and sully the character of the Christian world, would in all
likelihood be destroyed and prevented, were they, who unhappily are
separated from one another by names and forms, to become better acquainted
with each other's principles, and each other's feelings. Binning was
blamed by some of his brethren for his liberality. The part he had acted
was brought under the consideration of one of the inferior church courts.
He endeavoured to justify himself, and to show that he had done nothing
inconsistent either with his Christian or his ministerial character. But
not succeeding in the attempt, with true Christian forbearance, he
expressed his desire to avoid giving offence to his brethren, and
intimated his willingness that his conduct in similar cases should
henceforward be regulated by their wishes.(16)

As a proof of the influence which, along with Cromwell, some of the
independent chaplains in his army possessed over a number of the Scottish
clergy, it has been asserted that it was owing to them that a change was
effected in some of the forms of the presbyterian mode of worship. "It is
very observable," it has been said, "that all the presbyterian ministers
in Scotland made use of the Christian forms of the Lord's Prayer, Creed,
and Doxology, until Oliver's army invaded Scotland, and the independent
chaplains in that army thought their own dispensation was above that of
Geneva. Upon this, such of the presbyterians as would recommend themselves
to the Usurper, and such as had his ear, forbore those forms in the public
worship, and by degrees they fell into desuetude."(17)

The friendship which thus subsisted between some of the English
independent ministers, and some of the Scottish clergy, during the time
that the parliamentary army was in Scotland, has been differently
accounted for. It has been inferred that a number of the Protesters were
"somewhat favo