h future punishment for the past was adjusted by a scale of
fines.

Close on the heels of the Act of Indemnity followed one demanding from
all persons holding any office of public trust a public abjuration of
the Covenant, and another requiring all clergymen who had been appointed
since 1649 to receive collation from the bishop of their diocese. Those
who did not obey were, after a short respite, expelled from their
parishes. Those who obeyed were regarded by their congregations as
backsliders and self-seekers. Three hundred and fifty ministers were
driven with their families from their homes in the depth of winter; and
to supply their places new ministers were appointed, popularly known as
the King's Curates. Another Act required attendance at the parish church
on penalty of a fine graduated according to the rank of the absentee.
Finally, to crown all, the Solemn League and Covenant was publicly
burned at the market-cross of Edinburgh; and an aggravated copy of the
English Five-mile Act against Non-jurors, known as the Mile Act, was
passed, prohibiting all recusant clergymen from residing within twenty
miles of their old parishes, within six miles of Edinburgh or any
cathedral town, and within three miles of any royal burgh. The
punishment for transgressing this law was to be the same as that for
sedition.

Enough has now been said to show the nature of the bullying adopted by
the Government. Over the years which still lie between us and the entry
of Claverhouse on the stage I must pass more rapidly.

In 1663 Rothes succeeded Middleton as commissioner. The latter had been
rash enough to measure his strength with Lauderdale, and had been
signally worsted. To complete the legislative machinery a Conventicle
Act was passed this year, declaring all assemblies of more than five
persons, besides members of the family, unlawful and seditious. As most
of their congregations had followed the expelled ministers into the
wilderness, this new law so mightily increased the labours of the
authorities that it was found necessary to institute a new tribunal of
justice for the especial treatment of ecclesiastical offences. This was
no less than a renewal of that old Court of High Commission which had
been abolished by the Long Parliament twenty years before to the joy of
the whole nation. To strengthen its hands a body of troops was sent down
into the western shires, now the stronghold of the Covenant, to impose
and exact the fines