wed from time to time, while
we waited on God, to see which way he would manifest himself
upon our appeals? And shall we, after all these our prayers,
fastings, tears, expectations, and solemn appeals, call
these mere events? The Lord pity you. Surely we fear,
because it has been a merciful and a gracious deliverance to
us.

"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, search after the
mind of the Lord in it towards you, and we shall help you by
our prayers, that you may find it. For yet, if we know our
heart at all, our bowels do in Christ yearn after the godly
in Scotland." Thurloe, vol. i. p. 158.

{1651.} The defeat of the Scots was regarded by the king as a fortunate
event. The armies which fought on both sides, were almost equally his
enemies; and the vanquished were now obliged to give him some more
authority, and apply to him for support. The parliament was summoned to
meet at St. Johnstone's. Hamilton, Lauderdale, and all the engagers were
admitted into court and camp, on condition of doing public penance, and
expressing repentance for their late transgressions. Some malignants
also crept in under various pretences. The intended humiliation or
penance of the king was changed into the ceremony of his coronation,
which was performed at Scone with great pomp and solemnity. But amidst
all this appearance of respect, Charles remained in the hands of the
most rigid Covenanters; and though treated with civility and courtesy
by Argyle, a man of parts and address, he was little better than a
prisoner, and was still exposed to all the rudeness and pedantry of the
ecclesiastics.

This young prince was in a situation which very ill suited his temper
and disposition. All those good qualities which he possessed, his
affability, his wit, his gayety, his gentleman-like, disengaged
behavior, were here so many vices; and his love of ease, liberty, and
pleasure, was regarded as the highest enormity. Though artful in the
practice of courtly dissimulation, the sanctified style was utterly
unknown to him; and he never could mould his deportment into that
starched grimace which the Covenanters required as an infallible mark of
conversion. The duke of Buckingham was the only English courtier allowed
to attend him; and by his ingenious talent for ridicule, he had rendered
himself extremely agreeable to his master. While so many objects of
derision surrounded them, it was difficult t