nd state.

CHAPTER LIII

CHARLES I.

{1637.} The grievances under which the English labored when considered
in themselves, without regard to the constitution, scarcely deserve the
name; nor were they either burdensome on the people's properties, or
anywise shocking to the natural humanity of mankind. Even the imposition
of ship money, independent of the consequences, was a great and evident
advantage to the public, by the judicious use which the king made of the
money levied by that expedient. And though it was justly apprehended,
that such precedents, if patiently submitted to, would end in a total
disuse of parliaments, and in the establishment of arbitrary authority,
Charles dreaded no opposition from the people, who are not commonly much
affected with consequences, and require some striking motive to engage
them in a resistance of established government. All ecclesiastical
affairs were settled by law and uninterrupted precedent; and the church
was become a considerable barrier to the power, both legal and illegal,
of the crown. Peace too, industry, commerce, opulence; nay, even justice
and lenity of administration, notwithstanding some very few exceptions;
all these were enjoyed by the people; and every other blessing of
government, except liberty, or rather the present exercise of liberty
and its proper security.[*] It seemed probable, therefore, that affairs
might long have continued on the same footing in England, had it not
been for the neighborhood of Scotland; a country more turbulent, and
less disposed to submission and obedience. It was thence the commotions
first arose; and is therefore time for us to return thither, and to give
an account of the state of affairs in that kingdom.

* Clarendon, p. 74, 75. May, p. 18. Warwick, p. 62.

Though the pacific, and not unskilful government of James, and the great
authority which he had acquired, had much allayed the feuds among
the great families, and had established law and order throughout the
kingdom, the Scottish nobility were still possessed of the chief power
and influence over the people. Their property was extensive; their
hereditary jurisdictions and the feudal tenures increased their
authority; and the attachment of the gentry to the heads of families
established a kind of voluntary servitude under the chieftains. Besides
that long absence had much loosened the King's connections with the
nobility, who resided chiefly at their cou